Visualising information: A mosaic of perspectives

Abstract

Information visualisation has become a truly wide-ranging interdisciplinary endeavor. Researchers, practitioners, and end users are embracing the vibrant field from a variety of distinct but interrelated perspectives. As the field becomes increasingly diverse, one must address a number of fundamental questions. What exactly is information visualisation about? Where does it come from? Where is it going? This article highlights some of the most salient perspectives to information visualisation, including structural, spatial, temporal, semantic, behavioural, cognitive, social, ecological, and technological perspectives. Each of these perspectives is illustrated with representative works in the field. Interconnections among individual perspectives are also discussed in the broad context of information visualisation.