Browsing by Author "Wun, Tiffany"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Authoring Data Visualizations with Physical Template Tools
    (2019-01-14) Wun, Tiffany; Carpendale, Sheelagh; Oehlberg, Lora A.; Wong, Nelson; Reardon, Joel
    In our data-rich society, it is increasingly important that all people are able to use and understand data. Large data sets commonly require expert knowledge to design and disseminate accessible and information-rich visualizations, resulting in visualizations that work well for experts but are less accessible for the general public. My research question addresses how we can support the use of visualization to increase data accessibility for the general public. One approach is to encourage people to self-author data representations suited to their own comprehension needs using simple techniques. However, providing data visualization authoring tools for the general public remains an ongoing challenge. My thesis explores the use of physical tools—specifically, rulers and block-printing stamps—as novel methods of authoring data visualizations, leveraging the advantages of ready-made visualization templates while providing freedom to personalize visual elements. To first explore the possibility of designing physical tools for authoring data visualizations, I present prototypes for several modifiable, computationally-fabricated ruler and stamp designs, created with the goal of allowing users to quickly create repeating visual elements when authoring visual elements on paper. From my design efforts, stamps show promise as low-effort, easy-to-create tools; I therefore conducted a workshop study to understand how people approach visualization authoring when given the ability to create their own physical template tools. In this study, participants authored visualizations on paper using hand-carved stamps made from potatoes and sponges. My results show that participants were able to author meaningful data visualizations from their self-created stamps, as well as several unique traits and uses of block-printing stamps. I conclude the thesis by discussing issues around expressivity and effectiveness of personalizing physical authoring tools, identify implications for the design and assembly of primitives in potential visualization authoring kits, and applications for physical authoring tools in the bigger scope of data democratization.
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    Making-With-Data: Supporting DIY Data Physicalizations
    (ACM, 2018-04-22) Wun, Tiffany; Oehlberg, Lora A.; Carpendale, Sheelagh
    We explore how DIY making techniques can support the democratization of data. We present two DIY data physicalizations: a CNC plotter for rapidly prototyping visualizations on paper, and a physical, dynamic bar chart of migrant deaths constructed with origami. We discuss several issues when embodying data through maker techniques: DIY guides, materiality, and the relationship between resources and knowledge. Finally, we propose several questions to discuss in the workshop.
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    You say Potato, I say Po-Data: Physical Template Tools for Visualization Authoring
    (Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary, 2018-08-31) Wun, Tiffany; Oehlberg, Lora A.; Sturdee, Miriam; Carpendale, Sheelagh
    Providing data visualization authoring tools for the general public remains an ongoing challenge. Inspired by block-printing, we explore how visualization stamps as a physical visualization authoring tool could leverage both visual freedom and ease of repetition. We conducted a workshop with two groups---visualization experts and non-experts---where participants authored visualizations on paper using hand-carved stamps made from potatoes and sponges. The low-fidelity medium freed participants to test new stamp patterns and accept mistakes. From the created visualizations, we observed several unique traits and uses of block-printing tools for visualization authoring, including: modularity of patterns, annotation guides, creation of multiple patterns from one stamp, and various techniques to apply data onto paper. We discuss the issues around expressivity and effectiveness of block-printed stamps in visualization authoring, and identify implications for the design and assembly of primitives in potential visualization stamp kits, as well as applications for future use in non-digital environments.