Constructive visualization

• Main Authors: HURON, Samuel, CARPENDALE, Sheelagh, THUDT, Alice, TANG, Anthony, MAUERER, Michael
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2014
• Subjects: Design; Visualization; Construction; Assembling; Constructivism; Constructionism; Education; Visual literacy; Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/8083; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/9086/viewcontent/2598510.2598566.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

If visualization is to be democratized, we need to provide means for non-experts to create visualizations that allow them to engage directly with datasets. We present constructive visualization a new paradigm for the simple creation of flexible, dynamic visualizations. Constructive visualization is simple—in that the skills required to build and manipulate the visualizations are akin to kindergarten play; it is expressive— in that one can build within the constraints of the chosen environment, and it also supports dynamics — in that these constructed visualizations can be rebuilt and adjusted. We describe the conceptual components and processes underlying constructive visualization, and present real-world examples to illustrate the utility of this approach. The constructive visualization approach builds on our inherent understanding and experience with physical building blocks, offering a model that enables non-experts to create entirely novel visualizations, and to engage with datasets in a manner that would not have otherwise been possible.