Information Visualization

Information visualization (InfoVis) produces (interactive) visual representations of abstract data to reinforce human cognition and perception; thus enabling the viewer to gain knowledge about the internal structure of the data and causal relationships in it.

Overview

Application of information visualization on the computer involves providing means to transform and represent data in a form that allows and encourages human interaction. Data can therefore be analyzed by exploration rather than pure reasoning; users can develop understanding for structures and connections in the data by observing the immediate effects their interaction has upon the visualization.

Examples

Visualization of a directory structure using a botanical metaphor

Information visualization is applied in countless areas covering every industry and all tasks where understanding of the intrinsic structure in data is crucial.

Some prominent examples are:

• Economical/financial analysis
• Representation of large hierarchies
• Medical training/assistance
• Engineering/Physics

References

• [1]Robert Voigt, Classification and Definition of Terms, 2002.

External links

• http://www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/ has a lot of (positive and negative) examples including historical milestones.