Thesis Update Presentation

The following link allows you to view my thesis proposal update presentation which details new additions/inspiration/ideation since my proposal defense presentation. Some of the highlight additions and considerations include the following:


Symbol sets may not be all inclusive to a data set and thus the need for additions is necessary. Therefore, a means of storing the symbol sets that allows for the ability to update is important. Though my thesis does not include the following implementation ideas as it focuses on the design of the symbols themselves these are viable options to expand my thesis to become adaptable to multiple audiences:

• A website with a SQL database component where symbols can be uploaded and downloaded for       addition and usage.

• Symbol style sets could be created using ESRI ArcGis and hosted on their community maps program server to be downloaded by the community.

• The symbols could be hosted by thenounproject.com in collaboration with the AIGA to download the symbols as well as upload new additions.


The needs of crime analysts and police officers are similar but differ in key ways the following are new considerations for me to think about in developing my thesis:

• The specific needs of analysts and officers are mainly one in the same but officer needs differ by needing to identify environmental features that are consistent with specific types of problems.

• I.E. specific areas to consider symbols for including key city locations such as bus stops/public transport stations, bars/entertainment areas, stores, banks, ect.

• Bridging a gap to show broad statistics and specific information localized information through the symbols and their sets as a whole.

• Include/allude to crimes in specific locales or locale types.


Because my symbols need to show time change and even quantitative data these are some considerations as means of measurements that could apply to my symbols:

• Nominal measurement show names or labels items in unordered categories, such as race, age, gender, ect.

• Ordinal measurements classify incidents, victim or offender characteristics, areas, ect according to rank.

• Interval measurements show values but cannot show ratios between values.

• Ratio such as distance in inches, feet, yards, millimeters, meters, start at zero and continue indefinitely.