The arts of the possible

Abstract

Information visualization offers multiple methods for making sense of complex data using graphic representations. These complement verbal representations and show rich potential for supporting cognition and communication in numerous areas of application, including the field of political communication and education. Yet – and despite a strong increase in options with regard to the accessibility of data, tools, and methods – no conceptual framework or discussion has as yet sought to organize these emerging visual vocabularies and their possible (re-)combinations. Against this background, we discuss the layout principles of existing visualization methods and look to align them within a coherent framework that allows a multimodal navigation of modern news and information spaces. In doing so, we also consider relevant ways and means of minimizing well-known barriers in the public and political communication realm.