Solution

Our path: map directional progression of common contagious illnesses for public notification

We decided to build a prototype for a web based interface to see the progression of illness through an area - visualising the data processed by the proposed system of linking live medical retail information with the fluctuating health of a place.

We made a simulation of illness movement and progression, based upon assumptions of illness duration, rate of infection, and people travelling to neighbouring postcodes each day. This simulation model allowed us to have an organic and relatively unpredictable variation in 'ill' people within a postcode. From this we could experience a dynamic visual representation of illness spreading through an area.

After exploring various methods of visualising information changing over time - we decided to use the London postcode system, where we would theoretically be monitoring illness related activity for a general postcode area, as opposed to specific points in space. This was thought to be clearer to the viewer, allowing the user to see the difference between areas at a glance.

• Chose to map data by postcode instead of points where participating sites were
• London was good choice because people are familiar with postcode location

POSTCODE ABSTRACTION - we designed the mapping as an abstracted form of the london postcode layout.

• Simplified, clean map of postcodes
• people know their postcode by location, not the exact shape

We developed a formula to simulate the illness progression, based upon the assumptions (illness duration, rate of infection, and people travelling to neighbouring postcodes each day):

...And finally - the simulation!

click to open the simulation (flash plugin required)

An idea of how the service might appear as part of the weather report - updated daily.