Using Data in Video

Dissertation on using data in video designs

For my final year dissertation at Rose Bruford College I wanted to expand on what I had done with using real-time data in the DotCal project.

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Using real-time data I looked at different ways of presentation and how to go about creating visualizations of the information using real-time tools.

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The data source I chose was the Environment Agency flood and river level data from the real-time data API (Beta), under open government license V3. This granted me access to readings from individual water measurement stations.

In doing so I created 3 different versions, these should have been presented in a 3 sided installation type space but due to the COVID-19 pandemic at the time I had to stream a virtual version of this in 360.

Versions

Below are recordings of each version.
Please use full screen for the best experience.

1

Basic and set the foundations for the following ones. Here I constructed the first versions of the two graphs, the Javascript to call the API and tuned the 360 camera output.

2

Focused on interactivity. In the real world implementation this would have been done with by tracking the hands of users, with height detected automatically.

This design also expanded on contextual information about the data although limited due to time constraints

3

Taking a more artistic approach this version visualised the data without any visual scales or other context.

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The front visualisation is the 30 day averages seen in the line graphs within previous versions, with time flowing towards the user.

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The right visulisation is the 4 averages seen in the previous versions, distance from the centre representing the value.

Data Fetching and Processing

The flowchart below shows how data is downloaded and processed

Node Graphs

The Notch node graphs changed in size and complexity depending on the version. The data processing component for each one was built from the same framework allowing it to be transferable.

Software Used

Below is the software I used for various parts of the project.

Adobe CC
Used for various visual elements

OBS

Switch between versions and stream output

Get in touch

If you have a project with real-time data like this one or simply want to know more details, please get in contact using the button below.