The final challenge of Dashboard Week brought a thrilling opportunity: diving into the world of TV series using IMDb data. Our task was to uncover stories about the TV shows we love, using the Data + TV’s dashboard template filled with a vast range of series information. The goal was clear—create an infographic viz that flexed our creativity and design skills.
The Challenge of Creative Freedom
While the freedom to choose your favourite series seems like a dream task, it comes with a unique challenge: the overwhelming number of possibilities. I spent over an hour just pondering which show to focus on, eager to pick something that stood out. While venturing into something different can be exciting, it can also be a slippery slope. I initially considered several older series but then settled on a more obvious choice—Breaking Bad.
Why Breaking Bad?
I don’t often finish series, but Breaking Bad was an exception. Not only is it one of the highest-rated shows on IMDb, but there’s also an abundance of data and analysis available online. I wasn’t interested in simply comparing it with other shows; I wanted to dig deeper into its themes and the reasons behind its enduring popularity.
Starting with IMDb data, I asked some key questions: What’s the average rating of the episodes? How many episodes are there? Which episodes are the most voted? How long is each episode? But as I delved deeper, what truly grabbed my attention was exploring the world beyond the screen—especially the financial implications that defined the main character’s journey.
From Concepts to Design: A Periodic Table of Chaos
I began sketching out my ideas, drawing squared boxes filled with the insights I wanted to present—like deaths per season, the volume of illegal substance production, and the enormous sums of money generated. The structure resembled a periodic table, with each box dedicated to specific data about the seasons, characters, and key moments.
One particularly compelling aspect of my analysis was comparing the main character Walter White’s reality with his fictional world. I highlighted his annual salary as a high school teacher, juxtaposed with the staggering costs of his cancer treatment and the illicit earnings he made through his illegal ventures. This allowed me to contrast the stark difference between the real-life struggles that led to his transformation and the fictional world’s high stakes.
Designing with Impact
Visualising this data wasn’t just about laying out numbers—it was about telling a story. I focused on creating a layout that emphasised the show’s chaotic and dark themes, using a combination of clean design and narrative elements. I used comparisons that added depth, like showing the cost of making the show against the fictional earnings within it, revealing the layered realities of Breaking Bad’s universe.
However, as with any project, there’s always room for improvement. On reflection, incorporating more creative visual elements, such as unit charts, could have added even more depth and visual intrigue. Enhancing the infographic with these dynamic elements would have made the narrative even more engaging and accessible.
A Journey of Learning and Growth
This final day of Dashboard Week wasn’t just about wrapping up a project; it was about embracing the culmination of everything we’ve learned. I’ve pushed my creative boundaries, honed my design skills, and learned to see data in new and exciting ways. As I move forward, I’m eager to continue this journey—applying these skills to future projects, staying curious, and always striving to learn more.
As this chapter of training closes, it’s clear that it’s not the end but the beginning of a new path. The skills we’ve developed, the challenges we’ve faced, and the insights we’ve gained will guide us into a future filled with data storytelling, creative exploration, and endless possibilities.