Time Viz
This project explores the concept of “Spaces vs Non-Spaces,” a term coined by anthropologist Marc Augé to describe transient spaces where people remain anonymous and which lack the significance to be considered true “places.”
The work combines research, visuals, and design to make these abstract ideas more tangible and engaging. Through illustrations and data-driven elements, the project aims to give the audience
a clear sense of how such spaces shape human experience in everyday life.
Project details
Client
University Project
Project
Time Viz
Year
2023
Services
Data Visualisation
Credits
Overview/
Content
This project investigates how personal location data can be translated into clear and engaging visual stories. Using Google Maps Timeline data I categorised daily activity into places, non-places and travel time.
The aim was to translate 1,440 minutes of each day into clear, engaging visuals that highlight temporal and spatial patterns.
Approach
The process began with data collection and organisation, transferring the raw timeline data into a structured format by categorising locations and calculating minutes spent each day. The challenge was to make a dense, time-based dataset both legible and intuitive for the viewer.
Two visual strategies were developed:
Linear Timeline: Each of the 31 days is represented as a horizontal line divided into 1,440 segments (minutes), enabling users to see daily rhythms with precision.
Circular Visualisation: Travel time is mapped onto a radial form to reflect the cyclical nature of time, with a green accent line breaking the symmetry to guide the viewer’s eye and add dynamism.
Outcome
The final visualisations translate a month of raw mobility data into clear, engaging graphics that balance accuracy with design clarity. By combining structured data collection with visual storytelling, the project shows how everyday information can be transformed into insights about behaviour, movement and time.
