Update on Pit Bull Project

This is just a visual I am using, the question was what word or phrase do you think of when you hear pit bull? The base size is 18, and that was for if the word was said once, then they increase by 6 points for each additional time that word was given. So the largest words were said most often in response. I asked 31 people ranging from male and female and college aged to 79.

 

I wanted historical context to Pit Bulls, so I did a small time line. The categories

that span over decades or centuries are represented by curved bands, not straight lines. I chose the pale blue tone for the background, because psychologically, blue is a calming, comforting color, and I wanted people to be drawn to the information regarding a controversial breed. I didn't want a color that was too bright or harsh, that would seem demanding. I want people to come to the poster naturally. Which is why I also chose candid photos for the poster, nothing too sappy and upsetting to coerce people. I want a comfortable, personal poster. I chose Futura light, over handwriting, because I wanted a light and airy feel, but something crisp and clean. To me, it is "friendly".

Survey results

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area

PAWS-Philadelphia
1. What percentage of your dogs, on average, are pits?

80%

70% of total, but 85% of large breed
2. About what percentage were rescued from any association with dog fighting/abuse?
BOTH– 5%
3. On average, how long does a pit remain at the shelter?

1–2 years

2–3 months
4. What is the most popular reason people give for not wanting to adopt a pit bull?
Negative Media coverage, and landlords won't allow
Too big, and negative images on temperament
5. 3 words you would use to describe the majority of the pit bulls you get in?

loving, loyal, goofy

athletic, people–friendly, very versatile
6. What are the three most common mistakes people make when raising pit bull puppies, that results in the dog ending up in a shelter later on?

lack of obedience training, lack of socialization, lack of proper research on the breed

lack of obedience training, not looking into the proper housing (many landlords do not allow pit bulls), and misjudging time for owning a dog in general (exercising, socialization)
7. If you could give a small statement on why people should adopt pit bulls, what would it be?

They are the number one adoptable family dog, very loving and do better on temperament tests than other breeds. They are very active, but also can be very calm (adjust to owner's lifestyle easily).

They make wonderful companions in the right environment, people have to realize that genetics AND environment influence a dog. And they are great dogs for getting involved in multiple activities, such as obedience, agility, and even therapy dogs.

Karen

Tiffany 

10 Tips for Adopting a Pit Bull

1. Socialization is the key–puppy classes
2. Pit Bulls are enthusiastic learners–many graduate at the head of their obedience classes
3. It's play time! 20–30 minutes twice a day of aerobic–level activities
4. You may experience breed discrimination–prohibited from communities and homeowner's insurance
5. Do your research–wary neighbors
6. Adoption is the best option
7. Consider adopting an older Pit Bull–personality already developed, what you see is what you get
8. Establish house rules–acceptable and unacceptable behaviors
9. Set a good example for others–proud parent
10. Understand that Pit Bulls are large and strong dogs–may unwittingly knock over small children

Harrisburg Humane Society Survey

Here are the results of my survey courtesy of Karen from the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area:
1. What percentage of your dogs, on average, are Pit Bulls? 80%
2. About what percentage were rescued from any association with dog–fighting/abuse? 5%
3. On average, how long does a Pit Bull remain at the shelter? 1–2 years, some even 3 years
4. What is the most popular reason people give for not wanting to adopt a Pit Bull?
 Negative reports and data from the Media, and then also Landlords will not allow it
5. Pit Bulls are highly misunderstood, what three words would you use to describe the majority of the Pit Bulls you get in? Loving, Loyal, _______
6. What are the three most common mistakes people make when raising Pit Bull puppies, that results in that dog ending up in a shelter later on?
 Lack of obedience training, lack of socialization, lack of proper research on the breed
7. If you could give a small statement (2–3 sentences) on why people should adopt Pit Bulls, what would it be?
 They are the number one adoptable family dog. They are very loving and do better on temperament tests than other breeds. They are very active, but also can adapt to a calm lifestyle.

pitbull short survey

I want to include a small section on what people think of Pit Bulls. The question was what word or short phrase comes to mind when you hear "Pit Bull"? The results were mixed:
friendly
cute (4)
underbite
muscular
adorable (2)
victim of prejudice
aggressive (3)
mean (2)
strong
misunderstood (3)
loveable
tough
protective
misjudged

I wanted this to be a small section on a large poster, like a flier within the poster. It would have the words in different handwriting, sizes, and colors, but not too cluttered or overwhelming.
I also want to get more words.

I have been having some trouble getting a hold of the shelters to  complete the big surveys and will be visiting them again tonight.

Final Project

Title: In progress: A Brief History of the Pit Bull Terrier, Their Place in the World Today, and Making one a Part of Your Family

Goals/Objectives: To show that Pit Bulls are a product of human training and molding. Pit Bulls which are aggressive are only so because of inappropriate training from humans. Pit Bulls may be powerful, but they are great with people; they make great family pets, and are loyal and obedient.

Source Data: Interview questions for Humane League and Humane Society:
1. What percentage of your dogs, on average, are Pit Bulls?
2. About what percentage were rescued from any association with dog-fighting/abuse?
3. On average, how long does a Pit Bull remain at the shelter?
4. What is the most popular reason people give for not wanting to adopt a Pit Bull?
5. Pit Bulls are highly misunderstood, what three words would you use to describe the majority of the Pit Bulls you get in?
6. I believe that Pit Bulls who have negative personality traits, are that way because of poor human interaction, and owners who treated them badly. What are the three most common mistakes people make when raising Pit Bull puppies, that results in that dog ending up in a shelter later on?
7. If you could give a small statement (2-3 sentences) on why people should adopt Pit Bulls, what would it be?
Here is some data I found about Pit Bulls:

Once bull baiting was outlawed in England in 1835, its promoters began looking for new means of profit. They turned to ratting and dog fighting. At this point, it seems likely that at least one and probably more strains of terrier were introduced into the breed to make it more "game" (that is, having a higher level of prey drive and aggression) as well as smaller and more agile.
* Despite the fierce prey drive hardwired into the original pit bulls, they always made excellent companions for humans. In part, this came out of their fighting ancestry. Handlers had to be able to jump in the ring and separate the fighters, and then treat the wounded dogs after the fights were over. Dogs that showed aggression toward humans, even in the middle of a fight, were usually killed and never bred
However, the majority of pit bulls were NOT fought, instead earning their keep as hunters, herders, guardians and friends. Yes, friends. Ease of training and a predisposition to interact well with humans was essential for all of their traditional jobs.
Thus, it is no surprise that by 1900, the American Pit Bull Terrier gained its greatest renown as a courageous and loyal companion to both adults and children, even acquiring the nickname "nanny dogs" in some locations
During the first half of the 20th century, the American Pit Bull Terrier was the closest thing the United States had to a national dog. Pit bulls were the dog of choice for famous personages such as Helen Keller, Laura Ingalls Wilder (of Little House on the Prairie fame), and President Theodore Roosevelt
And yes, they are still a working dog, but in a variety of new roles. Pit bulls make great therapy dogs and are commonly used in search and rescue. Following in the footsteps of Sgt. Stubby, they have also distinguished themselves in the role of drug and bomb sniffing dogs. A pit bull named Popsicle holds the Texas record for biggest drug bust, having sniffed out 3000 lbs of cocaine

Media: Posters for shelters or rescues, or maybe brochures

Audience: People looking to adopt a dog from a shelter, but also skeptics who do not want to adopt a Pit Bull based on stereotypes they actually believe

Resources: Interviews with staff of Humane League and Humane Society, http://www.pitbulls.org/article/brief-history-american-pit-bull-terrier, http://www.realpitbull.com/history.html

Color

I will be using color to categorize things. The parts of my data that are not interactions with my dog will be blues/greens...because that is me, earthy. And the parts of my data that are interactions with my dog will be pinks/purples because she is very feminine. Before I just had a rainbow of colors with no connections. I want meaning behind the color.

Each circle will be color coded for either: Letting out/in, feeding/watering, playing, extra, school, work, other. There will then be a key for the colors and what they stand for.

Mapping

On this chart, I think that it is dynamic in the range of definitions going on. The circle works well while being centered on the globe. I would like my map to be circular, as I am new to mapping, but comfortable with circles. I also wish to apply a usage of color to denote certain topics,

This map is a pie chart, which I want to branch away from, but I want to color code like this and have additions to my circle frame.

This Influence mixes sections into the same linear ray offshooting the center of the map. I want my design to have different data in the same "slice" of the pie.

Here I like the use of icons, and pictograms. On my graph where for example I have given my dog treats, I would like to put an image of the product. I like using photographs because sometimes people will relate better to the information then.

To me, this seems harder to read, and not as exact, but I am drawn to the mixture of shapes, and how it is a circular shape, filled with circles. Very visually stimulating.

PROBLEM: The problem I am trying to solve is whether or not someone has enough time to get a pet. Especially if this person goes to college full time and also has a job. I charted my interactions with my dog for a week. A point that needs to be made is that my dog is almost 11 years old. The time needed to care for a puppy would be much higher. So this info would pertain to somebody maybe looking to adopt an adult dog.
DATA: In minutes, with percentages of the day next to it in pencil