Time-varying Information Visualization

Temporal Navigation

Small Multiples



Easy to analyze one time point


Visual tracking is difficult

Temporal Navigation

Animation & Time Slider



Temporal changes apparent


Low-level visual tracking is difficult

Why?



1. Visual Instability



2. Divided Attention



How can temporal navigation be designed to better support low-level exploration?

DimpVis



Touch interaction



Hint paths visualize temporal changes



Navigate time by direct interaction with the data item

Object-Centric Temporal Navigation

Object-Centric Temporal Navigation



Simultaneous navigation and visual analysis of the time dimension, while focusing on the data item of interest.

Object-Centric Temporal Navigation



Simultaneous navigation and visual analysis of the time dimension, while focusing on the data item of interest.


The data item becomes the temporal navigation control.

Timeline Navigation


Flashlight Navigation


Trade offs


Time line

Temporal trend legibility and navigation along data trajectory

Less navigation flexibility


Flashlight

Trade offs


Time line

Temporal trend legibility and navigation along data trajectory

Less navigation flexibility


Flashlight

Trade offs


Time line

Temporal trend legibility and navigation along data trajectory

Less navigation flexibility


Flashlight

Fast and flexible navigation

Temporal trend not apparent

Trade offs


Time line

Temporal trend legibility and navigation along data trajectory

Less navigation flexibility


Flashlight

Fast and flexible navigation

Temporal trend not apparent

Evaluation



How does the performance of DimpVis compare to the small multiples and time slider techniques when used to answer spatial queries?


Measurements



Task completion time (seconds)


Task error rate (correct answers/submitted answers)


Subjective ratings (5-point Likert)

Results

Completion Times

Scatter plot



DimpVis significantly faster than small multiples, overall

Completion Times

Scatter plot



DimpVis significantly faster than small multiples, overall

Subjective Ratings

Scatter plot



DimpVis subjectively preferred overall

Participant Feedback

DimpVis Scatter plot


Design Implications

Hint paths aligned with dragging direction


Provide flashlight & timeline navigation


Future Work


Multi-attribute hint paths and manipulation


Additional evaluation


Application to data storytelling