An Analysis of Text Functions in Information Visualization

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive framework categorizing ten text functions in visualizations, based on analysis of real-world examples, revealing diverse roles of text in communicating and framing visual data.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed taxonomy of text functions in visualizations, filling gaps in prior classifications and identifying new roles like text replacing visual elements.

Findings

Identified ten distinct text functions in visualizations.

Revealed four overarching text-informed design strategies.

Uncovered new text functions such as text replacing visual elements.

Abstract

Text is an integral but understudied component of visualization design. Although recent studies have examined how text elements (e.g., titles and annotations) influence comprehension, preferences, and predictions, many questions remain about textual design and use in practice. This paper introduces a framework for understanding text functions in information visualizations, building on and filling gaps in prior classifications and taxonomies. Through an analysis of 120 real-world visualizations and 804 text elements, we identified ten distinct text functions, ranging from identifying data mappings to presenting valenced subtext. We further identify patterns in text usage and conduct a factor analysis, revealing four overarching text-informed design strategies: Attribution and Variables, Annotation-Centric Design, Visual Embellishments, and Narrative Framing. In addition to these factors, we explore features of title rhetoric and text multifunctionality, while also uncovering previously unexamined text functions, such as text replacing visual elements. Our findings highlight the flexibility of text, demonstrating how different text elements in a given design can combine to communicate, synthesize, and frame visual information. This framework adds important nuance and detail to existing frameworks that analyze the diverse roles of text in visualization.