Visualization of Relationships Between Spatial Patterns in Time by Cartographic Animation

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with dynamic visualization methods. The focus is on synchronization, one of the aspects that can dynamically control visualization. Synchronization refers to the possibility of running several animations simultaneously and manipulating their starting points in display time to discover relationships. The literature provides examples where animations are juxtaposed to discover (usually) causal relations. Can synchronization be relevant for other relationships? How complex is its application in practice? And are there alternatives for the perceptually difficult juxtaposing of animations? We investigated design options for the visual exploration and analysis of three relationships between spatial patterns in time: convergence, similarity, and stability. For each relationship we used two data sets to produce experimental designs, in which we tried to incorporate knowledge on vision and cognition. It seems useful to distinguish between synchronization in world and in display time. If it is not necessary to view the data sets separately and to manipulate them independently in display time, one animation is sufficient. In other cases, two animations and, sometimes, alternative options for juxtaposing seem useful. However, empirical testing is still required to determine whether the proposed tools are effective. The experimental designs discussed in this paper are published on the Web. Keywords: VISUAL EXPLORATION AND ANALYSISPATTERN-RELATED MAP USE TASKSCARTOGRAPHIC ANIMATIONSYNCHRONIZATIONVISUALIZATION TOOLS