Information Graphics and Engineering Design

Paper ID #7375

Prof. Marjan Eggermont, University of Calgary

Associate Dean of Student Affairs Marjan Eggermont works within the Schulich School of Engineering at Calgary. Eggermont is also the interim associate dean-international, the senior instructor design and communication, for mechanical and manufacturing engineering and the editor/designer of ZQ | zqjour- nal.com. Page 23.749.1

c American Society for Engineering Education, 2013 Information Graphics and Engineering Design

Abstract

Documentation for engineering design requires succinct project descriptions, often with information and data visualizations. In an effort to expose students to these types of visualizations students were asked to summarize each individual chapter of a technology-based book of their choice using a different visualization method. This exercise exposed students to a wide range of methods and gave them tools for future engineering project document design. The Periodic Table of Visualization Methods1 website was used as a starting point for the types of visualizations students could explore. This site is an e-learning site focusing on visual literacy: the ability to evaluate, apply, or create conceptual visual representations. This paper discusses and describes the visualization methods used to assist students with this project, examples of student chapter summaries (Figs. 1 and 2), and the importance for engineering students to be able to read documents and summarize important information in a graphically concise and relevant manner.

4 Chapter 1: Tunnel Vision

Graphic Facilitation: F1 Vs. Aeronautics Timeline: Aerodynamic Development

Figure 1: Visualization methods used to summarize chapter 1 (student work)

Page 23.749.2 F1 Vs. Aeronautics Aerodynamic Development (Graphic #2)

5 External Tank Nose Component Job Component Job Lift High Pressure Wings Low Pressure Wings

Solid Booster

Low Pressure Down Force High Pressure Front Wing Endplate Component Job Component Job

Air Air Barge Air Air Board Air Air

Concentrated Flow Concentrated Flow Cargo Bay

Component Job Component Job Fixed/ Side pod Provide Crush Provide Storage Provide Storage Deployable Zones Radiator Panels Chimney

Air Box Component Job Component Job Diffuser Heat Ventilation Heat Ventilation

Body Flap

1970 1977 Venturi Inverted 1993 1996 2003 1738 Channels Wings First 1990 FIA Disallows FIA Wind %HUQRXOOL·V Are Used Used High Rear Diffusers Requires Tunnel Principle Under F1 Under F1 Noses First Extending Past Safety Investments Published Cars Cars Introduced Rear Axle Cockpits Increase

1968 1971 1983 1992 1994 2000 2004 First Use Gurney Formula 1 Computational Barge First Twin FIA Bans of Flaps Requires Flat Fluid Dynamics Board Keeled Multiple Inverted First Bottomed Cars First Used For Size Chassis Vane Wings Used F1 Car Design Reduced Designed Rear Wings

Figure 2: Result of process and structure summary of chapter 1 (student work)

1. Introduction Students at The University of Calgary Schulich School of Engineering take a Technology and Society course in the third year of their engineering program. This course, in the past, presented an overview of major engineering feats and societal impacts as a result of engineering innovations. Students were tested using standard multiple-choice exams. For the past three years the course experimented with several communication components vital to the success of engineering students: oral presentations and graphic communication in the form of data and information visualizations. These components are beneficial to the student’s 4th year capstone design course where students present progress reports, give oral presentations and provide documentation to project sponsors to report major milestones in their projects. Instead of writing reports a new approach to class deliverables was developed. This paper focuses on one of the deliverables: a book report in the form of data and information visualizations. A brief description of the visualization methods resource will be provided in the first section followed by examples of student work. The last section will briefly discuss the other components that were required for the course with some examples and descriptions of activities.

2. A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods In 2007 Ralph Lengler & Martin J. Eppler created a periodic table of 100 visualization methods in the form of a one-page website. Hovering over each visualization method results in a pop-up example of the method (Fig. 3). In their research paper Towards A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods for Management they describe the research as “an effort of defining and compiling existing visualization methods in order to develop a systematic overview based on the logic, look, and use of the periodic table of elements.”2 Page 23.749.3 They describe a visualization method as “a systematic, rule-based, external, permanent, and graphic representation that depicts information in a way that is conducive to acquiring insights, developing an elaborate understanding, or communicating experiences.”3

Figure 3: Periodic Table of Visualization Methods with Gantt chart example4

The following excerpt and summary is from the paper written by Lengler and Eppler and the blog The Visual Everything to concisely describe the design the periodic table in figure 3 above:

“The periodic table is constructed along two dimensions: periods and groups. Of the five dimensions we deemed most relevant for a pragmatic classification of visualization methods, we found the dimension of complexity of visualization most fitting for “periods” and application area most fitting for “groups”. As we classified the visualization methods along those two dimensions we also tried to organize them in a similar way. That means as you move down a column, you will find similar methods for similar purposes but getting more and more complex. This is an ordinal measure within a group, meaning you will find in one period different amounts of complexity. This is for pragmatic reasons, as we didn’t want to leave any empty spaces in the table. For example, a line chart is a more complex visualization method than a spectrogram (a single line having two extreme poles). On the other hand a tensor diagram is more complex than a spectrogram.

The chart has the application area dimension (“groups”) into the following categories and distinguished them by background color: • Data Visualization includes standard quantitative formats such as Pie Charts, Area Charts or Line Graphs. They are visual representations of quantitative data in schematic form (either with or without axes), they are all-purpose, mainly used for getting an overview of 6,7 data.” An example of student work (pie chart and bar chart) can be seen below (fig. 4). Page 23.749.4

The engine of a formula one race-car is only responsible The Materials of F1 Engines for 15% of its performance. To maximize this 15% specific materials are chosen for certain components. F1 Wins By Engine Manufacturer High power is not an exclusive requirement to win, but there are some trends of dominating engine (Graphic #4) manufacturers. 9

Ferrari Coventry Climax First Win: 1951 British Grand Prix First Win: 1958 Argentine Grand Prix Last Win: 2011 British Grand Prix Last Win: 1965 German Grand Prix Ford TAG First Win: 1967 Dutch Grand Prix First Win: 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix Last Win: 1987 Portuguese Grand Prix BMW First Win: 1982 Canadian Grand Prix Last Win: 2008 Canadian Grand Prix

Aluminum: Cylinder Heads, Crank Cases, Sumps, Cam Covers, Sundries, Water Pump Casing

Steel: Crank Shafts, Cam Shafts, Timing Gears

Magnesium/Carbon Fibre: Overhead Air Box, Inlet Trumpets

Titanium: Connecting Rods, Valves, Sundry Fasteners Start/Finish

World Championship Grand Prix Wins

12 18 BRM First Win: 1959 Dutch Grand Prix 20 Last Win: 1972 Monaco Grand Prix 25 40 Alfa Romeo First Win: 1950 British Grand Prix 72 Renault Last Win: 1978 Italian Grand Prix 88 First Win: 1979 French Grand Prix 142 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix 176 217 Mercedes-Benz Honda First Win: 1954 French Grand Prix First Win: 1965 Mexican Grand Prix 0 50 100 150 200 250 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Last Win: 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix Ferrari Ford Renault Mercedes-Benz Honda Coventry Climax TAG BMW BRM Alfa Romeo

Figure 4: Summary of Chapter 3 of The Science of Formula 1 Design

• “Information Visualization, such as semantic networks or treemaps, is defined as the use of interactive visual representations of data to amplify cognition. This means that the data is transformed into an image; it is mapped to screen space. • Concept Visualization, like a concept map or a Gantt chart; these are methods to elaborate (mostly) qualitative concepts, ideas, plans, and analyses through the help of rule-guided mapping procedures. • Metaphor Visualization, like metro map or story template are effective and simple templates to convey complex insights. Visual Metaphors fulfill a dual function, first they position information graphically to organize and structure it.” 6,7 Figure 5 shows a temple diagram which required the student to extract all components of complexity from the chapter to create a concise summary.

Page 23.749.5

Figure 5: Temple diagram summarizing chapter from Simply Complexity (courtesy of student Michael Cabrera)

• Strategy Visualization, like a Strategy Canvas or technology roadmap is defined “as the systematic use of complementary visual representations to improve the analysis, development, formulation, communication, and implementation of strategies in organizations.” • “Compound Visualization consists of several of the aforementioned formats. They can be complex knowledge maps that contain diagrammatic and metaphoric elements, conceptual cartoons with quantitative charts, or wall sized info murals. (Note: The Periodic table is a Compound Visualization)” 6,7 Figure 6 shows an information (timeline) and compound (graphic facilitation) visualization summarizing a chapter of the book The Science of Formula 1 Design. Page 23.749.6 F1 Vs. Aeronautics Aerodynamic Development (Graphic #2)

5 External Tank Nose Component Job Component Job Lift High Pressure Wings Low Pressure Wings

Solid Booster

Low Pressure Down Force High Pressure Front Wing Endplate Component Job Component Job

Air Air Barge Air Air Board Air Air

Concentrated Flow Concentrated Flow Cargo Bay

Component Job Component Job Fixed/ Side pod Provide Crush Provide Storage Provide Storage Deployable Zones Radiator Panels Chimney

Air Box Component Job Component Job Diffuser Heat Ventilation Heat Ventilation

Body Flap

Figure 6: Student work showing information (timeline) and compound (graphic facilitation) visualization

3. Visualization Methods and Engineering In the winter semester of 2012, students of Engineering 481 Technology and Society were asked to create a visual methods book report (some examples seen in previous section). Each chapter of the book had to be summarized into a one-page visual method graphic. A different method had to be chosen from the Periodic Table of Visualization Methods web page for each chapter. This meant that students had to analyze the content of each chapter and find the best suitable visualization method available to summarize the chapter content. It also meant students had to filter out major themes, timeline elements, and/or data components from each portion of the book. Students were directed to the Recommended Reading for Budding Engineers list created by the University of Cambridge8 to pick a book of their choice. Figures 7 and 8 are samples from a student visual method book report. The student reviewed The Science of Formula 1 Design by David Tremayne. In this example the student choose a Gantt chart, a well-known engineering concept visualization, to represent the first chapter of the book and to chart the typical development in an F1 season.

Page 23.749.7 30 Introduction

Gantt Chart: Typical Development in an F1 Season

Figure 7: Student work: Gantt chart visual method choice for book chapter

Gantt Chart: Typical Development in an F1 Season (Graphic #15)

Two distinctive race schedules are performed in each F1 season. While the race team desperately tries to win points for the overall championship, development of next season`s car is taking place simultaneously. With the new car being completed only weeks before the following season. Since engine design takes about 18 months two power engineering teams are required, with each leapfrogging the other, providing one engine per every 9 month car development cycle.

Figure 8: Student work: Resulting Gantt chart chapter summary Page 23.749.8 Examples of information visualization can be seen in the same student report in figures 9 and 10 below:

20 Chapter 9: Improving The Breed

Cycle Diagram: Total Quality Management Clustering: Advanced Materials of F1

Figure 9: Student work: Cycle diagram and clustering visual method choices for book chapter

Cycle Diagram: Total Quality Management Clustering: Advanced Materials of F1 (Graphic #10) 21

Much of the quality in F1 design is dependant upon material selection. To develop the importance materials have on design quality, phase envelopes for families of fabrication materials have been plotted. Some materials specific to F1 have also been plotted such as carbon steel, which was used more extensively before carbon fibres and complex composites of titanium were invented. In general the racing industry and in turn the automotive industry have been leaning to advancements in composite and fibres of material families. Looking at these fibrous families in particular it is obvious they have the best strength, flexural stiffness and lowest weight! All components of a fast race car, which justifies the research and development! Generally the (5) plotted materials used specifically in F1 racing are on the more sophisticated (higher strength, stiffness, low weight) and expensive ends of the above log vs. log plots of everyday materials.

The Japanese term ``kaizen,`` perhaps most applies to generating quality in Formula 1 race cars. The term refers to a state of constant searches for improvements; this could not be more true of any other industry. From week to week engineers, machinists and designers come together to make small adjustments to many parts instead of fabricating a single car every year. Businesses which use kaizen principles are said to 1. Performance be ``lean,`` the same may be said for F1 race teams, as every 2. Features individual is required to perform specific duties. In a world 3. Reliability where turn-around times are as short as one week all team members must know their roles and responsibilities. 4. Conformance 5. Durability This method of project development has extended to the consumer car market, ``kaizen principles,`` are extensively used 6. Serviceability by Toyota, one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. 7. Aesthetics Since Toyota entered F1 racing competition in 2002 they have 8. Perceived Quality not won a championship yet still believe in kaizen principles. ``We encourage teamwork and we always have our minds set on kaizen,`` says Mr. Yamashina the Toyota team manager.

Figure 10: Student work: Resulting Cycle diagram and clustering chapter summary Page 23.749.9

A student who submitted a book report on Neil Johnson’s Simply Complexity: A clear guide to Complexity Theory was able to draw succinct parallels that he found in a chapter on connectivity (fig. 11) and extract a decision tree from ‘tackling traffic networks’. Once students enter the workforce they will often be confronted with complex situations, varying levels of management, and disparate sources of information. Allowing students to develop visualization skills will only be an asset and a useful tool once reporting work tasks.

Figure 11: Student work (Michael Cabrera): Concept Map chapter summary

Figure 12: Student work (Michael Cabrera): Decision Tree chapter summary Page 23.749.10

3.1 Other deliverables Two other deliverables that strayed from the norm where introduced in the Technology and Society course: • Oral presentations based on a photo exhibition in a local museum: Edward Burtynsky’s Encounters. This exhibition showed 30 works by Canadian photographer E. Burtynsky. He photographs landscapes transformed by industry– quarrying, mining (fig. 13), recycling, manufacturing, rail cutting, and ship breaking among other things. Student groups had to do an oral presentation based on one photograph of their choice from the exhibition. The presentation had to discuss: • Industry • Location/geography • Manufacturing techniques/Science • Technological impact • Societal impact • Environmental impact • Government/Politics • and other topics inspired by the photograph Students presented a very interesting variety of material, which made attendance high and marking for the instructor a joy (compared to past presentations that had little to no variety). How students interpreted the photographs was also interesting and varied from culture to culture, which allowed for good discussions after the presentations.

Figure 13: Edward Burtynsky “Nickel Tailings #34” Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

• A compare and contrast visualization based on two of five documentaries shown in the seminar portion of the course: students watched five documentaries of varying engineering, science and social science content and were asked to pay attention to the

following categories to be used for their visualization: Page 23.749.11 • History/historical development • Technology • Impact on society • (Influence of) politics & geography • Comparisons with (aspects of) engineering (if not an engineering documentary) • Style/format of the documentaries themselves • Point of view/bias • Structure/flow • Philosophy • Other

An example can be seen in figure 15. The student compared the documentaries Philosophy and The Matrix and Werner von Braun: Rocket Man for War and Peace focussing on fate and free will.

4. Conclusion This paper looked at new deliverables for a course on technology and society with the goal of improving student’s visualization, analysis, and interpretation skills. The main focus was exposure to different visualization methods summarized by Lengler and Eppler on the Periodic Table of Visualization Methods website. A summary of the creation and workings of the site was presented and student examples of resulting book report chapter summaries were shown. Finally two additional examples of deliverables were briefly mentioned to demonstrate the changes made to a course that traditionally tested students on memorization of facts not on analysis and understanding of content. The course lecture content itself focussed on themes of the past two hundred years of technology and society (fig. 14), which one of my students summarized as follows: “Thank you for the semester. Only you could make going through the same 200 years over and over again interesting. Have a great summer!”

Automation 1940 - 1960

Page 23.749.12 Figure 14: Lecture slide: accumulation of themes as the semester progresses – communication, computation, manufacturing, etc. Page 23.749.13

Figure 15: Student work: Documentary comparison

Bibliography

1. http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html 2. Lengler, R., and Eppler, M. J. Towards A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods for Management, Institute for Corporate Management, University of Lugano, Switserland, p. 1 3. A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods – [Visualization] http://www.thevisualeverything.com/2011/12/periodic-table-visualization-methods-visualization/, (current Jan. 6, 2013). 4. Image source: http://schwehr.org/blog/attachments/2007-01/periodic.png, (current Jan. 6, 2013). 5. A Thousand-fold Increase In Human Capabilities, http://www.ifp.illinois.edu/nabhcs/abstracts/shneiderman.html, (current Jan. 6, 2013). 6. Lengler, R., and Eppler, M. J., pp. 3-4. 7. A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods – [Visualization] http://www.thevisualeverything.com/2011/12/periodic-table-visualization-methods-visualization/, (current Jan. 6, 2013) 8. Recommended Reading for Budding Engineers, http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/information/reading.html, (current Jan. 6, 2013). 9. Image source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/- dJUcNAWOQqM/TpGqyOZZJFI/AAAAAAAALdY/mxGVfKIo5aE/s1600/edward-burtynsky-canada-sudbury- nickel-tailings.jpeg, (current Jan. 6, 2013). Page 23.749.14