IEEE VIS 2024 Content: Visualization Atlases: Explaining and Exploring Complex Topics through Data, Visualization, and Narration

Visualization Atlases: Explaining and Exploring Complex Topics through Data, Visualization, and Narration

Jinrui Wang - The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Xinhuan Shu - Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Benjamin Bach - Inria, Bordeaux, France. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Uta Hinrichs - University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Room: Bayshore II

2024-10-17T18:33:00Z GMT-0600 Change your timezone on the schedule page
2024-10-17T18:33:00Z
Exemplar figure, described by caption below
An overview of the paper 'Visualization Atlases: Explaining and Exploring Complex Topics through Data, Visualization, and Narration' by Jinrui Wang, Xinhuan Shu, Benjamin Bach, and Ute Hinrichs, featuring a backdrop of selected covers from the visualization atlas cases analyzed in the survey.
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Keywords

Visualization Atlases, Information Visualization, Data-driven Storytelling

Abstract

This paper defines, analyzes, and discusses the emerging genre of visualization atlases. We currently witness an increase in web-based, data-driven initiatives that call themselves “atlases” while explaining complex, contemporary issues through data and visualizations: climate change, sustainability, AI, or cultural discoveries. To understand this emerging genre and inform their design, study, and authoring support, we conducted a systematic analysis of 33 visualization atlases and semi-structured interviews with eight visualization atlas creators. Based on our results, we contribute (1) a definition of a visualization atlas as a compendium of (web) pages aimed at explaining and supporting exploration of data about a dedicated topic through data, visualizations and narration. (2) a set of design patterns of 8 design dimensions, (3) insights into the atlas creation from interviews and (4) the definition of 5 visualization atlas genres. We found that visualization atlases are unique in the way they combine i) exploratory visualization, ii) narrative elements from data-driven storytelling and iii) structured navigation mechanisms. They target a wide range of audiences with different levels of domain knowledge, acting as tools for study, communication, and discovery. We conclude with a discussion of current design practices and emerging questions around the ethics and potential real-world impact of visualization atlases, aimed to inform the design and study of visualization atlases.