Abstract:
A number of visualization techniques have been put forward that implement a map metaphor to display abstract, non-georeferenced information. This paper refers to these as map-like information visualizations that are distinguished from other information visualization approaches in a number of ways. It interprets some of the principles underlying these techniques within a framework informed by geographic information science (GIScience). Recent geographic efforts in this research area have linked ideas about the nature of geographic information to cognitive schemata proposed by cognitive linguists. This paper draws on the arguments that have emerged from those efforts regarding the nature and usefulness of geographic metaphors. It proposes to discuss particular projection techniques, like multidimensional scaling or self-organizing maps, with reference to the geometric primitives they employ. These primitives will drive the choice of geometric and symbolic transformations that are necessary to achieve a particular visualization. Designers of map-like visualizations are thus challenged to seriously consider the implications of particular computational techniques and the consequences of symbolization choices.
Citations
|
2274
|
Self-Organizing Maps
– Kohonen
- 1995
|
|
988
|
Automatic Text Processing -- The Transformation, Analysis, and Retrieval of Information by Computer Addison-Wesley
– Salton
- 1989
|
|
407
|
Readings in Information Visualization: Using Vision to Think
– Card, Mackinlay, et al.
- 1999
|
|
378
|
The eyes have it: A task by data type taxonomy for information visualizations
– Shneiderman
- 1996
|
|
231
|
dangerous things: What categories reveal about the mind. Chicago: Univ
– Lakoff
- 1987
|
|
223
|
Tree-maps: A space-filling approach to the visualization of hierarchical information structures
– Johnson, Shneiderman
- 1991
|
|
167
|
Graph visualization and navigation in information visualization: a survey
– Herman, Melançon, et al.
- 2000
|
|
145
|
Visualizing the non-visual: Spatial analysis and interaction with information from text documents
– Wise, Thomas, et al.
- 1995
|
|
49
|
Designing pixel-oriented visualization techniques: Theory and applications
– Keim
|
|
18
|
Formalizing Semantic Spaces For Information Access
– Fabrikant, Buttenfield
- 2001
|
|
15
|
From Metaphor to Method: Cartographic Perspectives on Information Visualization
– Skupin
- 2000
|
|
15
|
A cartographic approach to visualizing conference abstracts
– Skupin
- 2002
|
|
13
|
Worlds of information: The geographic metaphor in the visualization of complex information
– Couclelis
- 1998
|
|
9
|
A Computer Model Simulating Urban Growth in the Detroit Region
– Tobler
- 1970
|
|
8
|
A Transformational View of Cartography
– Tobler
- 1979
|
|
6
|
Evaluating the Usability of the Scale Metaphor for Querying Semantic Spaces
– Fabrikant
- 2001
|
|
6
|
Features, Objects, and Other Things: Ontological Distinctions in the Geographic Domain
– Mark, Skupin, et al.
- 2001
|
|
2
|
Metaphors We Live By. Chicago IL: The University of Chicago
– Lakoff, Johnson
- 1980
|
|
2
|
Cyberspace: Some Proposals," in Cyberspace: First Steps
– Benedikt
- 1991
|
|
1
|
Rediscovering Geography: New Relevance for Science and Society. Washington DC: National Academy
– NRC
- 1997
|
|
1
|
Envisioning Information. Cheshire CT
– Tufte
- 1990
|