Opportunities and Challenges for Data Physicalization

A collaborative project involving:

• Yvonne Jansen, University of Copenhagen
• Pierre Dragicevic, Inria
• Petra Isenberg, Inria
• Jason Alexander, Lancaster University
• Abe Karnik, Lancaster University
• Johan Kildal, Nokia
• Sriram Subramanian, University of Bristol
• Kasper Hornbæk, University of Copenhagen

Abstract

Physical representations of data have existed for thousands of years. Yet it is now that advances in digital fabrication, actuated tangible interfaces, and shape-changing displays are spurring an emerging area of research that we call Data Physicalization. It aims to help people explore, understand, and communicate data using computer-supported physical data representations. We call these representations physicalizations, analogously to visualizations – their purely visual counterpart. In this article, we go beyond the focused research questions addressed so far by delineating the research area, synthesizing its open challenges, and laying out a research agenda.

The 30s Video Preview

Presentation slides

Recording of my presentation during CHI'15

Material

• Download the article

External Links

• The Data Physicalization wiki
• The List of Physical Visualizations (and related artifacts)