Snap-Together Visualization: A User Interface for Coordinating Visualizations via Relational Schemata
Abstract
Multiple coordinated visualizations enable users to rapidly explore
complex information. However, users often need unforeseen combinations of
coordinated visualizations that are appropriate for their data.
Snap-Together Visualization enables data users to rapidly and dynamically
mix and match visualizations and coordinations to construct custom
exploration interfaces without programming. Snap's conceptual model is
based on the relational database model. Users load relations into
visualizations then coordinate them based on the relational joins between
them. Users can create different types of coordinations such as:
brushing, drill down, overview and detail view, and synchronized
scrolling. Visualization developers can make their independent
visualizations snap-able with a simple API.
Evaluation of Snap revealed benefits, cognitive issues, and usability
concerns. Data savvy users were very capable and thrilled to rapidly
construct powerful coordinated visualizations. A snapped overview and
detail-view coordination improved user performance by 30-80%, depending on
task.
(Also cross-referenced as UMIACS-TR-2000-22)