Gestalts Laws, Representing Vector Fields, Perceptual Syntax of Diagrams, Visual Grammar of Maps

1. digital-media@rgu
Pattern perception and map design

2. what are we
looking at?
Gestalts Laws
Representing vector fields
perceptual syntax of diagrams
visual grammar of maps

3. Introduction

4. Three stage
model of
perception

5. Three stage
model of
perception

6. Gestalts Laws

7. Proximity
Similarity
connectedness
continuity
symmetry
closure
relative size
common fate8simple
Rules

8. Proximity

9. Proximity

10. Place symbols and glyphs representing
related information close together

11. Similarity

12. Similarity

13. When designing a grid layout of a data set,
consider coding rows and/or columns using
low-level visual channel properties, such as
colour and texture.

14. Connectedness

15. To show relationships between entities,
consider linking graphical representations of
data objects using lines or ribbons of color.

16. continuity

18. Symmetry

19. Symmetry

20. Symmetry

21. Consider using symmetry to make pattern
comparisons easier

22. closure and common region

23. closure and common region

24. closure and common region

25. Consider putting related information inside
a closed contour.
A line is adequate for regions having a
simple shape.
Colour or texture can be used to define
regions that have more complex shapes.

26. closure and common region

27. To define multiple overlapping regions,
consider using a combination of line
contour, colour, texture, and Cornsweet
contours.

28. figure and ground

29. Use a combination of closure, common
region, and layout to ensure that data
entities are represented by graphical
patterns that will be perceived as figures,
not ground.

31. Representing Vector Fields:
Perceiving Orientation and Direction

32. magnitude orientation direction

36. Showing direction with brush strokes

38. To represent flow direction in a vector field visualization, use
streamlets with heads that are more distinct than tails, based on
luminance contrast.
A streamlet is a glyph that is elongated along a streamline and which
induces a strong response in neurons sensitive to orientations
tangential to the flow.

40. For vector field visualizations, use more
distinct graphical elements to show greater
field strength or speed. They can be wider,
longer, more contrasting, or faster moving.

41. Perceptual syntax of diagrams

44. creating nodes

45. When developing glyphs, use small, closed shapes to represent data
entities, and use the color, shape, and size of those shapes to
represent attributes of those entities.

46. creating relationships

47. creating relationships

48. creating relationships

49. Use connecting lines, enclosure, grouping, and attachment to
represent relationships between entities. The shape, color, and
thickness of lines and enclosures can represent the types of
relationships.

51. As an alternative to arrows to represent directed relationships in
diagrams, consider using tapered lines with the broadest end at the
source node.

52. the visual grammar of maps

57. 1694

58. 1815

59. 1918

60. Use closed contours, areas of texture, or areas of color to denote
geographic regions. Use color, texture, or boundary style to denote the
type of region.

61. 1922

64. Use lines to represent paths and linear geographic features. Use line
color and style to represent the type of linear feature.

68. Use small, closed shapes to represent point entities, such as cities, that
appear small on a map. Use color, shape, and size to represent
attributes of these entities.

69. what did we
look at?
Gestalts Laws
Representing vector fields
perceptual syntax of diagrams
visual grammar of maps