Through the infostethics site I found a site http://projects.propublica.org/extinctions/ “A Disappearing Planet” the site could use some major upgrades. I feel visually it lacks in color if they had more bold colors and backgrounds that correlate to each animals climate it would make the site much more appealing visually. It gives you some information about animals that are becoming extinct. The interactive element of the site is that you’re able to scroll on over and put into the search engine the name of a specific animal and it provides you with a percentage rate of how much at risk that specific mammal, reptile, amphibian, or bird is. You can also scroll run the mouse along the bottom and it provides the risk rate for different animals without you having to type anything in. It’s effective as well ineffective in my opinion. It’s effective in the sense of providing the knowledge of percentage rates for its viewers. However, I feel if you took the time to put together this information you should also put in a page or some type of information telling your viewers some changes they can make to help lower the risk level. Since on the first page it states “the increase results from a variety of human-caused effects including climate change, habitat destruction, and species displacement.” I would include a link to a site that takes donation for specific animals, or information about recycling, or issues that are specific as to what exactly is causing extinction such as ocean pollution. I would also provide information about each animal once people type in the names of specific species. I would provide information about their habitat, the rate of extinction compared to different years, a photo of the animal etc. I would also change the appearance of the site. As I said earlier I would use bold colors as well as catchy background images that depict the animals natural habitat such ocean water, rainforest, desert, etc
Again through the infostethics I found a website onehumanheartbeat.com that displays the activity of an individual named Jen Lowe’s heart that is exactly 24 hours old. The information is captured by a band that measures her pulse and blood flow which then records the average heart rate for each minute. Visually I am honestly unsure what the site is attempting to do. The site is very plain. I don’t feel it has many interactive elements on the site. It just states the day of the last upload, heart rate, days lived, and expected days remaining. It is not effective in its goal because it wasn’t able to provide a heart rate bpm. How can it engage with its audience if it isn’t really providing its audience with any information. I would put the image of an actual heart pumping. I would use a font that appeals to the eye something like the font type Palatino. I would have her include information about things she did throughout her day it doesn’t have to be overly detailed just enough to let us know how active she was in that specific day , maybe a chart that shows the rise and fall of her heart beat since the band measures her pulse it should be able to tell when her heart rate has increased. I would also include a chart that compares her heart beat from one day to the next. When you scroll over each day I would have a little information of the day show with a title and you could click on it to find out what she did that day.
On chartporn.org I found a website vintageinfoart.com that shows the image that depicts the rise and fall economic booms and busts from the year 1775 until 1943. The image is available on Historyshots for purchase. The image provides information regarding inflation and deflation, federal debt, price trends, etc. The bottom of the image provides detailed information about deflation areas such as The War of 1812, The Civil War, World War I, and The Present World War. The top part of the chart provides you with the names of Presidents and the years they were in office. Visually the image is captivating because it holds so much information and it appears to be a truly vintage image. Who doesn’t like seeing a vintage image? The interactive elements of the image is the information. You’re able to scroll in on the image and read that information quite clearly. It engages with its audience by providing a thorough view of the image before purchase. I feel it’s effective because it makes potential buyers feel comfortable with the product. I honestly wouldn’t do anything to change the image. The image provides enough information to interest you but not too much that it becomes over bearing.
