Section: New Results

Exploring Word-Scale Visualizations

Participants : Pascal Goffin, Wesley Willett, Jean-Daniel Fekete, Petra Isenberg.

Figure 12. Four examples of the integration of word-scale visualizations into HTML documents

We presented an exploration and a design space that characterize the usage and placement of word-scale visualizations within text documents [17] . Word-scale visualizations are a more general version of sparklines—small, word-sized data graphics that allow meta-information to be visually presented in-line with document text. In accordance with Edward Tufte’s definition, sparklines are traditionally placed directly before or after words in the text. We described alternative placements that permit a wider range of word-scale graphics and more flexible integration with text layouts. These alternative placements include positioning visualizations between lines, within additional vertical and horizontal space in the document, and as interactive overlays on top of the text. Each strategy changes the dimensions of the space available to display the visualizations, as well as the degree to which the text must be adjusted or reflowed to accommodate them. We provided an illustrated design space of placement options for word-scale visualizations and identify six important variables that control the placement of the graphics and the level of disruption of the source text. We also contributed a quantitative analysis that highlights the effect of different placements on readability and text disruption. Finally, we used this analysis to propose guidelines to support the design and placement of word-scale visualizations.

More on the project Web page: www.aviz.fr/sparklificator