Illustrating Information
Representing sophisticated concepts from Science and Mathematics
The challenge in illustrating information is matching complex ideas with simple visual structures that convey the key concept(s), and nothing more. When done well they embody an austere beauty. Their richness arises with insights gained in an engaged audience. Most of the examples below were drawn for Shawn’s Science of Paddling blog.
Trilateration – determining position from 3 GPS satellites
Role of paddle bend angle in maximizing blade force
Superposition of bow and stern waves with increasing speed
Plot of powers of 'x'
Combined metabolic cycles
Constructing a cycloid from a rolling cylinder
Kelvin waves
Pseudo-random noise code timing offset from two GPS satellites
The classic coupled double pendulum dynamics problem
Cori metabolic cycle
Exercise volume periodization over a year
Hull drag: theory vs. experiment
Boundary layer development
Buoyancy force movement with hull roll
Heart rate deflection point for paddling
Perspective view of hull and wake with control volumes and surfaces
Vector addition
Qualitative representation of metabolic exercise thresholds
Hyperbolic tangent and a linear approximation for small arguments