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Thinking visually: A workshop with some attending ideas

Robert Joseph Skovira, Ph.D.Professor of Computer Information Systems

Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh PA USA Usability in Multimedia Environment

Bratislava, Slovakia3-5 September 2003

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Thinking visuallyIntroduction

Slovak grandfather’s workshop A workshop, assumptions &

constraints Tools Materials

Visual thinking Thinking visually

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Thinking visuallyThings to do - 1

Think visually about Bratislava Map pictorially home, town & city Situate pictorially Europe in its

global circumstance Do a political cartoon, local v

global

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Thinking visuallyVisual thinking is perception

“Visual perception is visual thinking.”

The seen Visualizing Imagery

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Thinking visuallyThinking visually is not perception

“To envision information…” Mental models & conceptual

models Making ideas & details visible Visual thoughts Maya’s “I show.”

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Thinking visuallyVisual conception example

A postcard showing Bratislava

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Thinking visuallyA classroom example

Neisser’s conceptual cycle

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s assumptions Experience is complex Things experienced are complex Communication is about experience Experiencing goes on in 3 space & time Multivariate analysis & description Communication in Flatland

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Thinking visuallyA small multiples example

My exercise regimen

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Thinking visuallyWorkshop example

Imagining Slovakia

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Thinking visuallyConceptual framework

Conceptual representation Situational Intentional An interpretation Visual architecture

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s assumptions Experience is complex Things experienced are complex Communication is about experience Experiencing goes on in 3 space & time

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s constraints Use 2 dimensional objects And surfaces To render 4 dimensional experience

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s thinking visually problem

Representation of 4 dimensional experiences & ideas On 2 dimensional surfaces By showing experiential complexities

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s thinking visually methods Macro-micro or general-specific Layering & separation Multiple small images Color Time & space stories

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s macro-micro perspective Macro: context, generality Micro: details Information-thick world Wholeness & multiplicity Systems & parts View & details Global & local

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s macro-micro method Comparative Contexts: macro To clarify, add details: micro Details create graphical density Details represent complexity High density design: multiple reads Multiple reads or interpretations An interpretation: a mental model Thick descriptions (Geertz)

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s layers & separators Visual stratification Enhances dimensionality & density Generates hierarchy of visual affects Increases visual editing Directs attention Gives figure & ground Interactive affects 1 + 1 = 3 or more Color

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s small multiples Multivariate & dense Comparative & quantitative thinking Visual comparison, no memory work Informational slices Isolates & contextualizes details Forces maintenance of context

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s color Labels Measures Represents Enlivens Contours Accents & highlights Points & references Improves informational resolution Bezold Effect -- interactive

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s time & space narratives

3 space & time stories Dimensions of experience P-time & M-time (Hall)

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Thinking visuallyTufte’s moral premise

Audience is Intelligent Attentive Busy Diverse visualizing styles

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Thinking visuallySome other assumptions Cultural frames Cultural ways of envisioning information Situational Transactional Knowledge in the head & in the world Cognitive maps