Visual Imprints: Understanding Location Data Through Information Architecture

Wearable technologies are creating new ways for people to discover and record personal data. While these devices are raising awareness about biometric information, there is a larger quantified self movement encompassing any type of personal data collected by any means and recorded and shared in a variety of ways. Participants in this movement are experimenting with new ways to view and interact with their generated digital information. On a societal level, as we collect more data (personal or otherwise) we are questioning who should have access to different types of data and how collected data should be used.

Visual Imprints documents an exploration into how location data is collected, visualized, and understood by people with varying degrees of data literacy. Through the design and development of the Android application Data Atlas, this exploration utilizes aspects of information architecture to illustrate how we as a society might come to better understand what technologies and applications record personal data and how collected information can be seen and used. The exploration also illustrates how creative technologists can contribute to societal questions on data literacy and user privacy as well as create work as a part of the quantified self movement.