Thanks to our friend at the University de Zulia in Maracaibo, Prof.
Maria-Isabel Neuman, we just learned about this Rosetta Stone of data
visualization.
This is a must-see: “A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods.”
http://www.visual-literacy.org/pages/documents.htm
These guys in Switzerland at the Visual-Literacy Project have pulled together, in a
wonderfully coherent fashion, the multiple concepts that many of us
have been working on for years.
Be sure to also take a look at the
paper by Lengler and Eppler at the bottom of the “Maps” page.
It's a good, tight explanation of what they are up to. We like their definition:
“A visualization method is a systematic, rule-based, external, permanent, and graphic representation that depicts information in a way that is conducive to acquiring insights, developing an elaborate understanding, or communicating experiences.”
But we're not so sure that “permanent” is crucial or should even be included. If they are referring to “method,” then that would seem to limit the opportunity for refinements over time. And if they are talking about the resulting displays of data, might not that reduce the possibility of dynamic data displays, say real-time traffic flows or changes in the stock market? Simulations? Oh, well, a refinement ripe for discussion.
