Changing Lanes: Towards Symbolizing Visualizations

Anonymous

Keywords: Symbols, icons, register, visual design, semantics, intent

TL;DR: A provocative essay on the need for symbolizing visualizations

Abstract: The data visualization community often focuses on identifying and putting best practices into action when thinking about chart and dashboard authoring. These practices often incorporate recommendations informed by human perception and are often prescriptive around precision at the expense of semantics. Drawing from the design of meaningful icons, symbols, and imagery, we argue that data visualization needs to be made more accessible to the general population. By focusing more on intention rather than just precision, can we symbolize visualizations and change the lanes for both the researcher and practitioner community?