From abstract to actual: art and designer-like enquiries into data visualisation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to suggest that physical experience can contribute to the comprehension of scientific data, especially through artistic approaches. Design/methodology/approach A number of relevant case studies is presented to make the case. Findings ‘Objective’ or neutral data-visualisation does not exist. Every visualisation process relies on human definitions or mediation. Based on this premise, interdisciplinary collaborators can use methods from design and art to actively design the usability of data visualisations together (with their aesthetic, ambiguous and imaginative dimensions) in order to create a multi-layered human experience of data. Research limitations/implications (if applicable) Physical engagement in combination with rich, ambiguous experiences are not a substitute for scientific data visualization, but can nonetheless be an evocative medium for the public communication of science such as at science centres or science museums. Practical implications (if applicable) This paper presents clear reasons to support of interdisciplinary collaborations and systematic applications of methods to create aesthetic experiences from scientific data. Social implications (if applicable) Potentially novel, engaging and evocative sensual experiences with can be designed for data visualisations around themes such as climate change, sustainability and ecology. Originality/value Systematically applying methods from art and design in order to add a sensual component to intellectual experiences could be considered an unorthodox yet highly effective approach.