Project Update: Late April
This version incorporates several remedies to the aforementioned problems. First, Childcare centers are no longer represented individually on the map. Instead, each zip code has a single dot which, depending its color and size, depict the quantity and quality of childcare centers within that region. Upon selecting a particular region to view, the window in the bottom left shows the name and TRS status of each center within that region. This is a much more effective solution since it quickly demonstrates the level of childcare within the region and avoids showing the exact address of each individual center. Simply showing the TRS status of centers within individual regions avoids clutter on the map and enhances loading time.
Also in this version, childcare center quantity is listed proportionally relative to population instead of listing sheer numbers of childcare centers. We believe that this better demonstrates the distribution of childcare centers than by simply listing the number of centers.
Project Update: Early April
Our latest prototype features two maps as opposed to the original one. One map is divided up by workforce board just like in our previous version. The second, however, is split up by zip code. This second map demonstrates the region’s income level and the location of each Childcare center.
We were also able to obtain real income data by making a public information request to the state of Texas. These two maps, therefore, display actual low income data for each workforce board and zip code.
As of now, we are still debating on how we think we can best represent each child care center within the state. Our current design is cumbersome and does not communicate quality or distribution of child care within each region.
Project Update: Early March
Seen above is our first prototype of the heat map. Until we can get access to the official data that details Texas income levels, we have decided to use randomly generated mock data in order to produce a color gradient on our map. Using this mock data, we have simulated the income level of each workforce board within the state of Texas. Additionally, gray dots are used to represent child care centers. This early prototype have given us a quality but loose idea on what we want the final product to look like.
Our current challenges with this stage of development are a lack of real data and indecisiveness with design choices, namely with how we would like to represent child care centers.
Project Update: Tableau – February
We are currently using Tableau to create the heat map. By petitioning the state of Texas for public information, we have been able to get the necessary data to fill our map. We are taking the locations of every child care center in Texas that accepts subsidiaries from the state, whether they are a Texas Rising Star institute or not, and overlaying their location on top of a heat map of Texas that shows the low-income level. This information is broken up by zip code, county, and workforce board.
Project Update: The Rough Draft – February
This is a picture of one of our brainstorming ideas. This picture shows what we would imagine the webpage looking like. In the center is the heat map and on the outside edges are some widgets and options for user’s to interact with in order to gather more information.
This picture is a closer look at the heat map itself. On the heat map we wanted to give the user the option to click on a county and have it either zoom in or increase the size of the county and highlight the childcare centers inside it.