NSF and Popular Science announce 2015 Vizzies winners

For more information visit: http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/scivis/winners_2014.jsp The Vizzies celebrates the use of visual media to clearly and accessibly communicate scientific data and research. It recognizes the finest illustrations, photographs, videos, graphics and apps, whether produced by academic researchers, artists or hobbyists. The awards mark completion of the first NSF and Popular Science challenge collaboration that celebrates the use of visual media to clearly and accessibly communicate scientific data and research. NSF has led the competition for more than a decade under a different name: the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge. This year's Vizzies continue the tradition of honoring work that visually and successfully communicate science and engineering research and phenomena. The Vizzies recognize the finest illustrations, photographs, videos, graphics and apps, whether produced by academic researchers, artists or hobbyists. "We couldn't be more pleased with this year's submissions," said Dana Topousis, NSF's acting director of Legislative and Public Affairs. "These visualizations are able to bring people a new level of scientific understanding in impactful and imaginative ways." "The best visualizations communicate complex subjects with evocative images, enlightening illustrations and engrossing interactive media--all things we value tremendously at Popular Science," said Editor-in-Chief Cliff Ransom. "This year's winners elegantly and approachably combine art and science." During two rounds of judging, science and visualization experts at NSF and Popular Science winnowed more than 300 entries, from more than 12 countries, down to 50 finalists, 10 in each category. To arrive at the Experts' Choice, a panel of final-round judges rated the visualizations on their artistic merit and communication excellence. Readers voted online for the People's Choice. The winners are from China, Great Britain, Utah, New York and California.