# Data by Proxy -- Material Traces as Autographic Visualizations

## TL;DR

This paper advocates for expanding information visualization to include physical traces and material indicators, proposing autographic visualization as a complementary approach that reflects data's material context and origins.

## Contribution

It introduces the concept of autographic visualization, contrasting it with traditional symbolic visualization, and explores design principles for material data representation.

## Key findings

- Autographic visualization reveals material and physical data traces.
- It challenges the symbolic-only paradigm of information visualization.
- The approach links to scientific visualization and trace reading traditions.

## Abstract

Information visualization limits itself, per definition, to the domain of symbolic information. This paper discusses arguments why the field should also consider forms of data that are not symbolically encoded, including physical traces and material indicators. Continuing a provocation presented by Pat Hanrahan in his 2004 IEEE Vis capstone address, this paper compares physical traces to visualizations and describes the techniques and visual practices for producing, revealing, and interpreting them. By contrasting information visualization with a speculative counter model of autographic visualization, this paper examines the design principles for material data. Autographic visualization addresses limitations of information visualization, such as the inability to directly reflect the material circumstances of data generation. The comparison between the two models allows probing the epistemic assumptions behind information visualization and uncovers linkages with the rich history of scientific visualization and trace reading.