Visual Variables: Difference between revisions
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If a mark changes in this variable and it can be selected by the other marks easily the visual variable is said to be selective. | If a mark changes in this variable and it can be selected by the other marks easily the visual variable is said to be selective. | ||
* Associative | * Associative | ||
Several marks can be grouped accross changes in other visual variables. | |||
* Quantitative | * Quantitative | ||
If the differnce between two marks in this variable can be interpreted numerical, the visual variable is quantitative | If the differnce between two marks in this variable can be interpreted numerical, the visual variable is quantitative. | ||
* Order | * Order | ||
If the variable supports ordered reading it is an ordered visual variable. This means that a change could be read as more or less. e.g. in size you can order according to the area of the marks | If the variable supports ordered reading it is an ordered visual variable. This means that a change could be read as more or less. e.g. in size you can order according to the area of the marks. | ||
* Length | * Length | ||
The length defines how many values the variable features. For example how many shades of grey can be recognised | The length defines how many values the variable features. For example how many shades of grey can be recognised. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 18:48, 29 October 2006
Basic Definiton
Jaques Bertin defined seven Visual Variables [Bertin, 1967] consisting of:
- Position
- Size
- Shape
- Value
- Color
- Orientation
- Texture
Since information is presented by computers, the addition of motion as a new visual variable gets important.
Characteristics
- Selective
If a mark changes in this variable and it can be selected by the other marks easily the visual variable is said to be selective.
- Associative
Several marks can be grouped accross changes in other visual variables.
- Quantitative
If the differnce between two marks in this variable can be interpreted numerical, the visual variable is quantitative.
- Order
If the variable supports ordered reading it is an ordered visual variable. This means that a change could be read as more or less. e.g. in size you can order according to the area of the marks.
- Length
The length defines how many values the variable features. For example how many shades of grey can be recognised.
References
- Proceedings
- [Bertin, 1967] Bertin, Jaques: "Sémiologie Graphique". Paris: Editions Gauthier-Villars. Deutsche Übersetzung von Jensch, G.; Schade, D.; Scharfe, W.: Graphische Semiologie.Diagramme – Netze - Karten. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter, 1974.
- [Skupin, 2000] Skupin, A: "From Metaphor to Method: Cartographic Perspectives on Information Visualization" IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization. October 9-10, 2000, Salt Lake City, Utah.
- [Carpendale, 2003] M. S. T. Carpendale: "Considering Visual Variables as a Basis for Information Visualisation", University of Calgary, Department of Computer Science, 2001-693-16, 2003