Visual Calamity: Exploring Interactive Information Visualization for Tablet Interfaces

Abstract

This master thesis explores augmenting interactive information visualizations with the interaction properties inherent in the tablet interface paradigm. It adapts a data- and heuristic-driven design process towards conceptually developing and implementing the fully functioning iPad application Visual Calamity. The topic of this application is disasters and the data source is the international Emergency Events Database (EMDAT). This project worked within the con nes inherent in the chosen data source and the tablet interface, which allowed the data and the target interface to come together in a way that produced an interesting and meaningful user experience. This design research exploration resulted in the following major contributions: the Multitouch Data Interval Controller (MDIC); the Lens Overlay Component (LOC); a Parallel Coordinates visualization optimized for a tablet interface; and a handle-based navigational system that supports split-screen visualizations.