Pierre Dragicevic

Edwige Chauvergne, Arnaud Prouzeau, Martin Hachet et al.

Data visualization is a powerful tool for conveying statistical information, but when representing populations, it tends to hide individuals. We introduce Zoomable Empathic Visualizations (ZEVs), interactive experiences allowing users to smoothly navigate between abstract statistical visualizations and more qualitative, relatable representations focused on individuals. We present three use cases of ZEVs and report on a qualitative user study that highlights opportunities for deeper understanding and emotional engagement, while pointing to areas for improvement and further refinement. In summary, ZEVs point toward new approaches for revealing the individuals behind the data.

Wesley Willett, Bon Adriel Aseniero, Sheelagh Carpendale et al.

We explore how the lens of fictional superpowers can help characterize how visualizations empower people and provide inspiration for new visualization systems. Researchers and practitioners often tout visualizations' ability to "make the invisible visible" and to "enhance cognitive abilities." Meanwhile superhero comics and other modern fiction often depict characters with similarly fantastic abilities that allow them to see and interpret the world in ways that transcend traditional human perception. We investigate the intersection of these domains, and show how the language of superpowers can be used to characterize existing visualization systems and suggest opportunities for new and empowering ones. We introduce two frameworks: The first characterizes seven underlying mechanisms that form the basis for a variety of visual superpowers portrayed in fiction. The second identifies seven ways in which visualization tools and interfaces can instill a sense of empowerment in the people who use them. Building on these observations, we illustrate a diverse set of "visualization superpowers" and highlight opportunities for the visualization community to create new systems and interactions that empower new experiences with data.

Evanthia Dimara, Pierre Dragicevic, Anastasia Bezerianos

The availability heuristic is a strategy that people use to make quick decisions but often lead to systematic errors. We propose three ways that visualization could facilitate unbiased decision-making. First, visualizations can alter the way our memory stores the events for later recall, so as to improve users' long-term intuitions. Second, the known biases could lead to new visualization guidelines. Third, we suggest the design of decision-making tools that are inspired by heuristics, e.g. suggesting intuitive approximations, rather than target to present exhaustive comparisons of all possible outcomes, or automated solutions for choosing decisions.