image credit: informationarchitects.jp/wtm
For the past three years, Information Architects Japan has been producing stunning visual maps of web trends based on Tokyo’s iconic subway system. Their 2009 final beta map is now online.
It’s their best map yet for recording the most popular, successful, influential web sites, the sites’ ownership, inspirational leadership along with visualizing the interconnectivity of digital trends. As with previous years, there is insider “commentary” based upon which companies (and people) occupy the more prominent stations. Because it is still in beta, the author is seeking feedback — but hurry because comments close on Friday, April 10th. When the final version is released, you’ll be able to download it in a number of formats and impress your colleagues. Or give a geek a gift: 1000 limited edition posters suitable for framing will be available for purchase.
Previous versions of the web trends maps can be found here:
2008
2007
Do you find these useful? Or are they simply really captivating eye candy?
Lori Laurent Smith
Comments
Connections
I check out the map every year too and, being a sucker for public transit and subways in general, all maps, and of course information architecture, I love the visualization. But it’d help if the map had a ‘legend’ that explained the metrics behind it. Without it, it’s more just a piece of art.
It’s a beautiful and well-thought-through piece of art that may be framed and appreciated by XA geek types as we.
It’s missing a meaty legend that might make it go from “lovely” to “slightly more meaningful” (for XA geek types).
For me, it’s a very pretty exercise in talking to ourselves, but not particularly useful in client situations. But maybe that’s all it’s meant to be. And we can all agree, it’s GOOD to exercise, eh?