What is Visualization Really for?

TL;DR

This paper argues that the primary purpose of visualization should be understood as saving users time in accomplishing tasks, rather than solely gaining insight, which clarifies goals and guides future research.

Contribution

It proposes shifting the focus from insight to time-saving as the fundamental objective of visualization, providing a concrete metric for evaluation.

Findings

Emphasizing time-saving clarifies visualization goals.

It encourages empirical studies and design optimization.

It offers a new perspective for visualization research.

Abstract

Whenever a visualization researcher is asked about the purpose of visualization, the phrase "gaining insight" by and large pops out instinctively. However, it is not absolutely factual that all uses of visualization are for gaining a deep understanding, unless the term insight is broadened to encompass all types of thought. Even when insight is the focus of a visualization task, it is rather difficult to know what insight is gained, how much, or how accurate. In this paper, we propose that "saving time" in accomplishing a user's task is the most fundamental objective. By giving emphasis to saving time, we can establish a concrete metric, alleviate unnecessary contention caused by different interpretations of insight, and stimulate new research efforts in some aspects of visualization, such as empirical studies, design optimisation and theories of visualization.