The Visualization Process: The Path from Data to Insight

Abstract

While previous Visualization panels have focused on different methods for scientific visualization, this panel focuses on the process of transforming data into insight. The overarching goal for visualization is to transform data into information or knowledge. This goal, however, can be somewhat elusive and difficult to achieve. The purpose of this panel is to discuss a variety of approaches that range from traditional to those that are new and emerging. Each of the given panelists is keenly interested in extracting relevant knowledge and information from a given set of data. However, each panelist takes a very different approach, and each has a different process by which visualization bears insight. David Ebert is inspired by the effectiveness of illustration and experimental photography techniques to convey knowledge. Kelly Gaither is keenly rooted in the physical meaning behind the data and uses this knowledge to guide the choice and style of visual representation. Pat Hanrahan is interested in self-illustrating phenomena and new approaches to visualizing streams of data such as network flows, migrations of birds and people, and flow of goods and traffic. Daniel Weiskopf is exploring the impact of color, motion, and interactivity on the visualization process. His approaches are traditional in nature but incorporate advances in graphics hardware.