How do Visualization Designers Think? Design Cognition as a Core Aspect of Visualization Psychology

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of studying visualization designers' cognition to enhance understanding, education, and practice in visualization psychology, advocating for a dedicated research program in design cognition within the VIS community.

Contribution

It highlights the need to focus on design cognition in visualization research, proposing a framework for integrating this perspective into visualization psychology and practice.

Findings

Identifies opportunities for studying design cognition in visualization.

Suggests integrating design cognition research to improve visualization education.

Highlights challenges and opportunities for future research in visualization design.

Abstract

There are numerous opportunities for engaging in research at the intersection of psychology and visualization. While most opportunities taken up by the VIS community will likely focus on the psychology of users, there are also opportunities for studying the psychology of designers. In this position paper, I argue the importance of studying design cognition as a necessary component of a holistic program of research on visualization psychology. I provide a brief overview of research on design cognition in other disciplines, and discuss opportunities for VIS to build an analogous research program. Doing so can lead to a stronger integration of research and design practice, can provide a better understanding of how to educate and train future designers, and will likely surface both challenges and opportunities for future research.