Visual Information Density Adjuster (VIDA)

We introduce a system that helps users construct interactive visualizations with constant information density. This work is an extension of the DataSplash database visualization environment. DataSplash is a direct manipulation system in which users can construct and navigate visualizations. DataSplash users place objects in a canvas using a paint program interface. They can pan and zoom above the resulting visualization. Objects in the canvas change as users zoom closer to or further away from the canvas. Users specify graphically the point at which these changes occur. Our experience with DataSplash indicates that users find it difficult to construct visualizations that display an appropriate amount of detail. In this paper, we introduce an extension to DataSplash based on the Principle of Constant Information Density. This system provides users feedback about the density of their visualizations (as defined by user-defined constraints) as they are creating them. We have performed an informal study of constant information density. We further introduce heuristics based on the Principle of Constant Information Density. We propose a system that uses these heuristics to evaluate DataSplash applications created by users and recommend specific improvements.