Dogs with Jobs!
A data story of working dogs, examining how their unique abilities remain irreplaceable even in our increasingly technological world.
TOOLS
D3.js, Vue.js, HTML, CSS, Photoshop
ROLE
Design & Dev
SKILLS
Data Visualization, UX/UI, Visual Design
Color Palette
Dogs see primarily blue and yellow, so those colors were chosen as the project’s main palette. For the playful "guide dog" character, I used red text intentionally — since dogs can’t see red and obviously can’t read, the red text represents information that’s irrelevant to them, adding a fun, tongue-in-cheek element to the design.
Typography
To balance the playful visuals, I chose a more serious headline font. Ivy Presto Headline adds a touch of elegance that contrasts humorously with the lighthearted dog images. Roca complements it with a modern serif twist, while Neue Haas Grotesk was used for the body text to provide a clean, readable foundation to reinforce the project's focus on clear and accessible information design.
Visual Elements
I included playful visual elements throughout the project with four symbols representing the four dog job categories. They act as hidden easter eggs, adding a fun layer of discovery as users explore and begin to notice how each symbol ties back to a specific dog role.
Guides
Blue Collar & Misc
Sniffers
Medical
Guide dog!
Full Project Walkthrough
What began as a co-evolutionary relationship between humans and wolves over 130,000 years ago has given rise to specialized working dog breeds whose deeply entwined skills and sensibilities remain irreplaceable, even in our technological age.
BACKGROUND
ABOUT THE DATA / DESIGN
Data gathered from American Kennel Club, various scientific journals, and the Government Accountability Office. Data visualized using D3.js. Riso aesthetic used to maintain consistency throughout images.
WHY IT MATTERS
These aren't just good boys and girls, they co-evolved with us, challenging the very notion of human exceptionalism. Dogs may just be the smartest partnership we've ever made as a species. Dogs do so much for us, so it’s important to continue studying them and ensure their well-being remains a priority as their roles in our lives evolve.