Constructive Visualization

Samuel Huron, Sheelagh Carpendale, Alice Thudt, Anthony Tang, and Michael Mauerer. (2014). Constructive Visualization. In DIS 2014: Proceedings of the ACM conference on Designing Interactive Systems in 2014, ACM, 433–442 . Notes: Best Paper Nominee (top 2% of submissions). Acceptance: 26% - 105/402.

Abstract

If visualization is to be democratized, we need to provide a means for non-experts to create visualizations that allow them to engage with datasets. We present constructive visualization as a new paradigm for the simple creation of flexible, dynamic visualizations. Constructive visualization is simple—that skills required to build and manipulate the visualizations are akin to kindergarten play; it is expressive—one can build within the constraints of the chosen environment, and it also supports dynamics as these visualizations can be rebuilt and adjusted. We describe the conceptual components and processes underlying constructive visualization, and describe real-world examples to illustrate the utility of this approach. The constructive visualization approach builds on our inherent understanding and experience with physical building blocks, the model enables non-experts to create entirely novel visualizations, and to engage with datasets in a manner that would not have otherwise been possible.

Materials

PDF File (http://hcitang.org/papers/2014-dis2014-constructive-visualization.pdf)
DOI (http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2598784.2598806)

Keywords

Design; visualization; construction; assembling; constructivism; constructionism; education

BibTeX

@inproceedings{huron2014constructiveviz,
  acceptance = {26{\%} - 105/402},
  author = {Huron, Samuel and Carpendale, Sheelagh and Thudt, Alice and Tang, Anthony and Mauerer, Michael},
  booktitle = {DIS 2014: Proceedings of the ACM conference on Designing Interactive
      Systems in 2014},
  doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2598784.2598806},
  keywords = {Design; visualization; construction; assembling; constructivism; constructionism;
      education},
  notes = {Best Paper Nominee (top 2{\%} of submissions)},
  pdfurl = {http://hcitang.org/papers/2014-dis2014-constructive-visualization.pdf},
  publisher = {ACM},
  title = {Constructive Visualization},
  type = {conference},
  year = {2014},
  bdsk-url-1 = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2598784.2598806},
  pages = {433-442 }
}