Impressive Interactive Data Visualizations from NY Times

Despite the troubles in the newspaper industry, some -- notably the New York Times and Wall Street Journal -- have been exceptionally innovative in the area of data visualization.  Both have really raised their game in their widespread presentation of data in both the print and online versions.

A couple of recent visualizations from the New York Times team caught our attention as great examples of using motion charts to display change over time and interactivity to encourage exploring data.

An analysis entitled Turning a Corner?, uses a sequence of motion charts to display business cycle data and describe patterns found in past cycles and the current downturn.  What is interesting about this analysis is how nicely the analysis is explained and the story is told using nine 'frames' to the story.  This combination of i) an appropriate application of motion charts and ii) good story-boarding communicated the complex data, reasoning, and conclusion across in an very efficient fashion.