Guidelines for using multiple views in information visualization

TLDR

Multiple view systems use two or more distinct views to investigate a single conceptual entity, yet little work has characterized them or provided design guidelines. The study aims to present eight guidelines for designing multiple view systems. The guidelines were derived from a workshop discussion and the authors’ own design and implementation experience with multiple view systems.

Abstract

A multiple view system uses two or more distinct views to support the investigation of a single conceptual entity. Many such systems exist, ranging from computer-aided design (CAD) systems for chip design that display both the logical structure and the actual geometry of the integrated circuit to overview-plus-detail systems that show both an overview for context and a zoomed-in-view for detail. Designers of these systems must make a variety of design decisions, ranging from determining layout to constructing sophisticated coordination mechanisms. Surprisingly, little work has been done to characterize these systems or to express guidelines for their design. Based on a workshop discussion of multiple views, and based on our own design and implementation experience with these systems, we present eight guidelines for the design of multiple view systems.