Ping Pong Trajectory

Problem

Translating the high-speed, 3D physics of a table tennis rally into a static 2D graphic without it devolving into an illegible, cluttered mess.

Solution

An ultra-wide, data-driven side-view visualization. By stripping away spatial clutter, I used variable line weights and strict color-coding to map speed, impact, and trajectory into a clean timeline.

My involvement

I conducted physical motion-tracking experiments, recorded raw match data, extracted spatial coordinates, and executed the final data visualization.

Deliverables

Type

Personal Project

Research & Rationale

Before touching digital tools, data collection was physical. I mapped spatial mechanics by dipping a ping-pong ball in Indian ink and launching it across bent paper surfaces.

This tactile experimentation proved that raw ink-tracking provided the clearest, most visceral record of continuous kinetic motion.

Distilling Chaos

Design & Deliverables

The final output leaves only the pure data of the rally, acting as a left-to-right timeline. Red and blue contrast dictates player possession. Velocity drives the form: continuous gradients and line thickness shift dynamically, with faster movements stretching into thinner strokes. Every impact is anchored with a precise timestamp to guide the viewer through the frame.