stanford hci group / cs376 research topics in human-computer interaction Information Visualization Scott Klemmer 03 November 2005

2 Information Visualization Definition [ The action or fact of visualizing; the power or process of forming a mental picture or vision of something not actually present to the sight; a picture thus formed.

3 Information Visualization Functions of Visualizations  Answer a question  “One image = One diagnosis”  Make decisions  Support analysis and reasoning  To explore and discover; encourage creativity  Look at things in a new way  “The purpose of computing is insight,  not numbers” [R. Hamming]  Communicate information to others  Make a point  Tell a story  Inspire

4 Information Visualization Functions of Visualizations  1.Recording information  e.g. table of logarithms, blueprints and  telescope images  2.Understanding information  Computer -> Display -> Person  w/ feedback and interaction  3.Presenting information  Display -> People  Share, collaborate, revise, …

5 Information Visualization Challenger Disaster 1 of 13 pages of material faxed to NASA by Morton Thiokol

6 Information Visualization Challenger Disaster 1 of 13 pages of material faxed to NASA by Morton Thiokol

7 Information Visualization Challenger Disaster E. Tufte, pp , Visual Explanations

8 Information Visualization Challenger Disaster Redrawn by E. Tufte, p. 49, Visual Explanations

9 Information Visualization Amplifies Cognition/Perception 1.Expand working memory 2.Reduce search time 3.Pattern detection and recognition 4.Perceptual inference 5.Perceptual monitoring and controlling attention 6.Interaction is important for cognition  Card, Mackinlay, Shneiderman  Readings in Information Visualization

10 Information Visualization Route Maps Overlaid RouteSketched Route Agrawala and Stolte, Rendering Effective Route Maps, SIGGRAPH Find cognitive and perceptual principles 2.Optimize the visualization according to these principles

11 Information Visualization 5. Interaction From J. J. Gibson (1966) The Senses Considered as a Perceptual System, p. 124 Thanks to David Kirsh for this example. Gibson’s Experiment Goal: Match 2 shapes Active touch: 96% Passive (rotation) 72% Passive (imprint) 49%

12 Information Visualization

13 Information Visualization Information-Seeking Mantra  Overview first,  then zoom and filter,  details on demand B. Schneiderman, The eyes have it: A task by data type taxonomy for information visualization, 1996

14 Information Visualization Interaction Spectrum Graph Navigation map Interactive 3D model Data Explorer Reactivity Exploration Text slide Games Presentation Encyclopedia VR Slide by F. Guimbretiere

15 Information Visualization

16 Information Visualization

17 Information Visualization Quotes: Bringhurst & Tufte “Some space must be narrow so that other space may be wide, and some space must be emptied so that other space may be filled.” – Robert Bringhurst The Elements of Typographic Style “Information consists of differences that make a difference.” – Edward Tufte Envisioning Information

18 Information Visualization Small Multiples  Economy of line  Many similarities enable us to notice differences IMAGE REMOVED

19 Information Visualization International Women’s Day Diaz, Estela 1974 March 8 - International Women’s Day Echeverria, Heriberto 1971 March 8 - International Women’s Day S M A L L M U L T I P L E S Cuban Poster Art Gallery,

20 Information Visualization Reid Miles, Blue Note Cover S M A L L M U L T I P L E S

21 Information Visualization Design Galleries

22 Information Visualization Design Galleries

23 Information Visualization London Underground

24 Information Visualization

25 Information Visualization Palm’s Design Economy