Empowering Youth Voices: Visualizing Experiences with Geolocation Data
2022
In collaboration with an artist, I worked on a project aimed at engaging teenagers in creative exploration and expression of their neighborhoods. The objective was to encourage them to articulate their attachment to specific places and routes through a tangible and thoughtful trace of their daily experiences. Using geolocation data gathered from Google Maps links provided by the participants, I utilized Python and p5.js to visualize these coordinates and create a trace of data points representing their favorite places.
Key Learnings
Data Parsing and Processing with Python
I gained proficiency in parsing and processing data from Google Maps links using Python. By extracting latitude and longitude coordinates from the URLs provided by the participants, I was able to prepare the data for visualization.
Geolocation Mapping
Through the project, I deepened my understanding of geolocation mapping techniques. I learned how to translate latitude and longitude coordinates into global X and Y positions for accurate representation on the screen.
Interactive Visualization with p5.js
Leveraging the p5.js library, I implemented interactive visualization of the geolocation data points. This involved converting global coordinates to screen positions and rendering them dynamically on a canvas, allowing for an engaging and visually appealing display of the teenagers' favorite places.
Collaborative Project Execution
Working closely with the artist, I honed my collaboration skills and learned the importance of effective communication and coordination in creative projects. Understanding the artist's vision and the participants' experiences was crucial in accurately translating their stories into visual form.
Creative Expression through Technology
This project enabled me to explore the intersection of technology and creative expression. By using programming tools and techniques to visualize personal narratives and experiences, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role of technology in facilitating storytelling and self-expression.