Communicative Visualizations as a Learning Problem

Significant research has provided robust task and evaluation languages for the analysis of exploratory visualizations. Unfortunately, these taxonomies fail when applied to communicative Instead, designers often resort evaluating visualizations from cognitive efficiency perspective: “can recipient accurately decode my message/insight?” However, are unlikely be satisfied if message went `in one ear out other.' The consequence this inconsistency is that it difficult design or select between competing options in a principled way. problem we address fundamental mismatch how want describe their intent, language they have. We argue visualization can limitation through learning lens: student designer teacher. By using objectives, better define, assess, compare illustrate learning-based approach provides framework understanding wide array goals. To understand (and its limitations), surveyed interviewed members Data Visualization Society own as probe. Through study identified broad range objectives prevalence certain objective types.