Reflection - Visualization 

 Challenge 

 Visualization is a design tool that I use whenever I have the chance to use it in a suitable setting . As I had   graduated this year , I had the chance to use this tool while writing my final year report , as well as through all   the research process while collecting research data . One of the main challenges that I had encountered through   my research was how to disclose such a huge amount of information that I had collected . To deal with this   challenge , I had to find a solution in order to reduce the number of words in my report , as well as I had to find   an appropriate and interesting way of how I will present my research results . Visualization helped me to   present my research insights in a well manner way for a diverse group of stakeholders , which encompassed   municipal authorities , designers , architects , gardeners and park volunteers . In addition to that , it has also   contributed towards the achievement of a common understanding of my research itself , its main problem and   results . Furthermore , it had also helped me to identify and present the research problem and eventually define   and present my research results . On the occasion of my final research results presentation , where a group of   diverse people with different backgrounds and roles in the parks participated , I had presented my research   trough various means of imagery : schemes , maps , diagrams , tables , photographs . It made the presentation   much shorter , more interesting and more engaging , inviting the audience to discuss and talk about the research   and its results . 

 Selection 

 As visualization is one of the most essential design tools and , in my opinion , one of the most applicable and   universal design tools used in many different settings ( especially , in researching and report writing ) , the   importance of visualization in my research was enormous and there were a couple reasons why it became such   an important and integral part of my research . Firstly , at the time of working on my research I was acquainted   with not that many design tools . As I can remember , I only knew visualization , mind - mapping , brainstorming   and etnography , though I had never heard about learning launch , journey mapping and other design tools . As   some of the known tools were only covered briefly in the beginning of my research , such as brainstorming and   mind - mapping , which were used while trying to bring all the ideas and thoughts about the research topic on a   sheet of paper , visualization was part of the research through all the process . Secondly , another stimulus to use   visualization was its capability to make information tangible and concrete , so in my research case , it had to be   used in order to disclose a huge amount of information that I had collected in a limited time manner and for a   specific audience . Furthermore , since visualization is about using imagery to make an abstract idea more   public and concrete , so that idea would be more visible , clear and understandable to others , for the setting of   public presentation it was a great tool to be used . With all that being said , visualization just had to be chosen   and incorporate into my research . 

 Application 

 The beginning of visualization could be considered my conceptual model table scheme ( Fig . 1 ) . This scheme   was only finalized at the end of the research , as some of the variables had to change . However , in the   beginning , even before having this scheme or its beginnings , I came up with three main questions which   become the basis of its structure : what ? how ? and what for ? Firstly , the upper part of the scheme from the   question what ? became Involvement and mobilization of park communities . Just below after the statement it   splits into several parts , which define the definition of a park community used in the research : gardeners   ( maintainers ) , community - based groups , park visitors ( users ) . Following that , the second part of the scheme is   in the middle and it answers question how ? It answers the question of how the involvement and mobilization 

 of park communities is going to be achieved - through citizen participation , which has five main variables :   sense of community , norms of activism , opportunities for involvement , collective efficacy and community   problems . Finally , the final part of the scheme is at the bottom . This part answers the question what for ? what   is it for ? what is the purpose ? And the answer is More democratic , inclusive and sustainable public space   ( park ) planning , management and maintenance , which was the ultimate goal in this research . 

 Aside on making other kind of visuals , this was one of the main visualizations that was used while researching ,   discussing with colleagues about the research , its structure , aspirations , as well as while presenting the final   research results . Although the scheme looks very simple and succinct , in order to express the main research   goals and research approach it was more than enough . Finally , I could state that the application of visualization   was successful , as all the aspirations that I had in the beginning ,   all the variables that the scheme had encompassed were   accomplished and the results of the research nicely aligned with   the scheme . The scheme also lightened the research process , as I   had saved lots of precious time while explaining the main idea   of my research and also made the research process much easier   and faster for myself . Worth mentioning that using schemes ,   diagrams and maps while presenting the final results also made   the discussion more interesting , more engaging and easier to   understand . In addition to that , maybe it also made a better   expression of me and made my presentation more memorable ? 

 Insight & Approach 

 By applying the visualization tool , I managed to figure out the way of how my report should be structured , so   it quite a lot contributed to my research design . Additionally , it had me to think through anticipated results ,   assumptions and research aspirations , so it has also contributed to the consistency of research . Furthermore , the   use of visualization thought me that visualization could elaborate the reinforcement of understanding between   people that are more and less active part of the research . The imagery gave a stimulus for discussions , where   different perspectives where shared and new insights were developed . The research results were very similar   and they did not differ a lot from the structured scheme . 

 Given the fact that the research was a comparative analysis about two physical objects ( parks ) , as well as this   research author 's experience with visualization more than other design tools , the choice of visualization in the   research process could be seen as appropriate and reasonable . In the future , I hope that I will have the chance   to work more on the improvement of visualization , as well as to incorporate this tool in future projects . The   only thing I could think of what could change - is the way of how visualization could be used in the stage of   surveying , to make the surveying process itself more interesting and engaging for the interviewees . 

 This course made me see many design tools ( including visualization ) in a different way . It made me to learn   some new design tools that I have never heard before . Before this course , I would have used some design tools   without even knowing that I am using a design tool . Now , however , it changed and from this day before   choosing a design tool I will be able to think about it more thoroughly and more reasonably . 

 Fig . 1 . Conceptual model 


EMAIL: 
ID_NUM: 
NAME_STUDENT: 
PHONE_NUM: 
STREET_ADDRESS: 
URL_PERSONAL: 
USERNAME: 

### Task: You are a PII (Personal Identity Information) Detection. Given a essays written by students, you have to identify ONLY the following:
NAME_STUDENT - The full or partial name of a student that is not necessarily the author of the essay. This excludes instructors, authors, and other person names.
EMAIL - A student’s email address.
USERNAME - A student's username on any platform.
ID_NUM - A number or sequence of characters that could be used to identify a student, such as a student ID or a social security number.
PHONE_NUM - A phone number associated with a student.
URL_PERSONAL - A URL that might be used to identify a student.
STREET_ADDRESS - A full or partial street address that is associated with the student, such as their home address.
### Input: Reflection - Visualization 

 Challenge 

 Visualization is a design tool that I use whenever I have the chance to use it in a suitable setting . As I had   graduated this year , I had the chance to use this tool while writing my final year report , as well as through all   the research process while collecting research data . One of the main challenges that I had encountered through   my research was how to disclose such a huge amount of information that I had collected . To deal with this   challenge , I had to find a solution in order to reduce the number of words in my report , as well as I had to find   an appropriate and interesting way of how I will present my research results . Visualization helped me to   present my research insights in a well manner way for a diverse group of stakeholders , which encompassed   municipal authorities , designers , architects , gardeners and park volunteers . In addition to that , it has also   contributed towards the achievement of a common understanding of my research itself , its main problem and   results . Furthermore , it had also helped me to identify and present the research problem and eventually define   and present my research results . On the occasion of my final research results presentation , where a group of   diverse people with different backgrounds and roles in the parks participated , I had presented my research   trough various means of imagery : schemes , maps , diagrams , tables , photographs . It made the presentation   much shorter , more interesting and more engaging , inviting the audience to discuss and talk about the research   and its results . 

 Selection 

 As visualization is one of the most essential design tools and , in my opinion , one of the most applicable and   universal design tools used in many different settings ( especially , in researching and report writing ) , the   importance of visualization in my research was enormous and there were a couple reasons why it became such   an important and integral part of my research . Firstly , at the time of working on my research I was acquainted   with not that many design tools . As I can remember , I only knew visualization , mind - mapping , brainstorming   and etnography , though I had never heard about learning launch , journey mapping and other design tools . As   some of the known tools were only covered briefly in the beginning of my research , such as brainstorming and   mind - mapping , which were used while trying to bring all the ideas and thoughts about the research topic on a   sheet of paper , visualization was part of the research through all the process . Secondly , another stimulus to use   visualization was its capability to make information tangible and concrete , so in my research case , it had to be   used in order to disclose a huge amount of information that I had collected in a limited time manner and for a   specific audience . Furthermore , since visualization is about using imagery to make an abstract idea more   public and concrete , so that idea would be more visible , clear and understandable to others , for the setting of   public presentation it was a great tool to be used . With all that being said , visualization just had to be chosen   and incorporate into my research . 

 Application 

 The beginning of visualization could be considered my conceptual model table scheme ( Fig . 1 ) . This scheme   was only finalized at the end of the research , as some of the variables had to change . However , in the   beginning , even before having this scheme or its beginnings , I came up with three main questions which   become the basis of its structure : what ? how ? and what for ? Firstly , the upper part of the scheme from the   question what ? became Involvement and mobilization of park communities . Just below after the statement it   splits into several parts , which define the definition of a park community used in the research : gardeners   ( maintainers ) , community - based groups , park visitors ( users ) . Following that , the second part of the scheme is   in the middle and it answers question how ? It answers the question of how the involvement and mobilization 

 of park communities is going to be achieved - through citizen participation , which has five main variables :   sense of community , norms of activism , opportunities for involvement , collective efficacy and community   problems . Finally , the final part of the scheme is at the bottom . This part answers the question what for ? what   is it for ? what is the purpose ? And the answer is More democratic , inclusive and sustainable public space   ( park ) planning , management and maintenance , which was the ultimate goal in this research . 

 Aside on making other kind of visuals , this was one of the main visualizations that was used while researching ,   discussing with colleagues about the research , its structure , aspirations , as well as while presenting the final   research results . Although the scheme looks very simple and succinct , in order to express the main research   goals and research approach it was more than enough . Finally , I could state that the application of visualization   was successful , as all the aspirations that I had in the beginning ,   all the variables that the scheme had encompassed were   accomplished and the results of the research nicely aligned with   the scheme . The scheme also lightened the research process , as I   had saved lots of precious time while explaining the main idea   of my research and also made the research process much easier   and faster for myself . Worth mentioning that using schemes ,   diagrams and maps while presenting the final results also made   the discussion more interesting , more engaging and easier to   understand . In addition to that , maybe it also made a better   expression of me and made my presentation more memorable ? 

 Insight & Approach 

 By applying the visualization tool , I managed to figure out the way of how my report should be structured , so   it quite a lot contributed to my research design . Additionally , it had me to think through anticipated results ,   assumptions and research aspirations , so it has also contributed to the consistency of research . Furthermore , the   use of visualization thought me that visualization could elaborate the reinforcement of understanding between   people that are more and less active part of the research . The imagery gave a stimulus for discussions , where   different perspectives where shared and new insights were developed . The research results were very similar   and they did not differ a lot from the structured scheme . 

 Given the fact that the research was a comparative analysis about two physical objects ( parks ) , as well as this   research author 's experience with visualization more than other design tools , the choice of visualization in the   research process could be seen as appropriate and reasonable . In the future , I hope that I will have the chance   to work more on the improvement of visualization , as well as to incorporate this tool in future projects . The   only thing I could think of what could change - is the way of how visualization could be used in the stage of   surveying , to make the surveying process itself more interesting and engaging for the interviewees . 

 This course made me see many design tools ( including visualization ) in a different way . It made me to learn   some new design tools that I have never heard before . Before this course , I would have used some design tools   without even knowing that I am using a design tool . Now , however , it changed and from this day before   choosing a design tool I will be able to think about it more thoroughly and more reasonably . 

 Fig . 1 . Conceptual model
### Output: 