Turning Autumn Leaves into a Global Temperature Heatmap by Victor Muñoz

Wait a minute… is this visualization even finished? Well, technically, it only goes up to September 2023. But here’s the thing—that’s not the point. This project is about the creative process: finding inspiration in unexpected places and stepping out of your comfort zone to bring data to life in ways you’ve never imagined.

This piece was created as part of the "Physicalizing Data for a Better World project by VizForSocialGood", an organization that connects data visualization volunteers with mission-driven organizations. The project’s goal was to use physical objects to represent environmental data. At first, I wasn’t sure what material to use. Luckily, I was in Turkey during the fall season, and the colorful autumn leaves gave me an idea: I could use them to create a heatmap of global temperatures.

From there, it became a journey of discovery: stepping into parks to collect leaves (while worrying about what others might think), cutting them into squares, and meticulously assembling them into a tangible visualization. It wasn’t about perfection—there were no iterations or polished drafts—but about embracing the unconventional and capturing the process behind the work. The grid represents months and years, while the colors reflect global temperatures. Handling each leaf—selecting it, cutting it, and attaching it—offered a deeper connection to the data than any digital tool ever could.

The visualization also became a conversation starter. When I shared it with my host in Istanbul, he was intrigued by the arrangement and textures before even knowing the data it represented. That moment showed me how physical visualizations can spark curiosity and engagement.

Participating in this project taught me lessons that I carry into all my work: the value of preparation, the importance of letting inspiration strike during moments of rest, and the beauty of embracing uncertainty. This project celebrates not just the outcome but the creative process—the doubts, the discoveries, and the joy of bringing data to life in unexpected forms.