MusicGalaxy: A multi-focus zoomable interface for multi-facet exploration of music collections

Abstract

A common way to support exploratory music retrieval scenarios is to give an overview using a neighborhood-preserving projection of the collection onto two dimensions. However, neighborhood cannot always be preserved in the projection because of the inherent dimensionality reduction. Furthermore, there is usually more than one way to look at a music collection and therefore different projections might be required depending on the current task and the user's interests. We describe an adaptive zoomable interface for exploration that addresses both problems: It makes use of a complex non-linear multi-focal zoom lens that exploits the distorted neighborhood relations introduced by the projection. We further introduce the concept of facet distances representing different aspects of music similarity. User-specific weightings of these aspects allow an adaptation according to the user's way of exploring the collection. Following a user-centered design approach with focus on usability, a prototype system has been created by iteratively alternating between development and evaluation phases. The results of an extensive user study including gaze analysis using an eye-tracker prove that the proposed interface is helpful while at the same time being easy and intuitive to use. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.