Give Text A Chance: Advocating for Equal Consideration for Language and Visualization

TL;DR

This paper advocates for equal emphasis on textual context and readability in visualization research, arguing that considering language alongside visuals enhances design assessment and viewer understanding.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that visualization research should treat textual representations as equally important as visual elements and emphasizes readability in integrated visual-textual materials.

Findings

Highlighting the importance of textual context improves visualization design evaluation.

Considering language construction enhances viewer comprehension and engagement.

Promoting readability leads to more effective visualization communication.

Abstract

Visualization research tends to de-emphasize consideration of the textual context in which its images are placed. We argue that visualization research should consider textual representations as a primary alternative to visual options when assessing designs, and when assessing designs, equal attention should be given to the construction of the language as to the visualizations. We also call for a consideration of readability when integrating visualizations with written text. In highlighting these points, visualization research would be elevated in efficacy and demonstrate thorough accounting for viewers' needs and responses.