Making Data Tangible: A Cross-disciplinary Design Space for Data Physicalization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive design space for data physicalization, synthesizing cross-disciplinary approaches, theories, and terminologies to guide designers in creating effective physical data representations.

Contribution

It presents a systematic, cross-disciplinary framework analyzing physicalizations through context, structure, and interactions, bridging gaps across communities and suggesting new design possibilities.

Findings

Analyzed 47 physicalizations to identify key design factors.

Identified emerging trends and open challenges in data physicalization.

Provided a cohesive overview to guide future physicalization design.

Abstract

Designing a data physicalization requires a myriad of different considerations. Despite the cross-disciplinary nature of these considerations, research currently lacks a synthesis across the different communities data physicalization sits upon, including their approaches, theories, and even terminologies. To bridge these communities synergistically, we present a design space that describes and analyzes physicalizations according to three facets: context (end-user considerations), structure (the physical structure of the artifact), and interactions (interactions with both the artifact and data). We construct this design space through a systematic review of 47 physicalizations and analyze the interrelationships of key factors when designing a physicalization. This design space cross-pollinates knowledge from relevant HCI communities, providing a cohesive overview of what designers should consider when creating a data physicalization while suggesting new design possibilities. We analyze the design decisions present in current physicalizations, discuss emerging trends, and identify underlying open challenges.