Aesthetics in Data Visualization

Data visualization has been one of the major interests among interaction designers thanks to the recent advances of visualization authoring tools. Using such tools including programming languages with Graphics APIs, websites with chart topologies, and open source libraries and component models, interaction designers can more effectively create data visualization harnessing their prototyping skills and aesthetic sensibility. However, there still exist technical and methodological challenges for interaction designers in jumping into the scene. In this article, the authors introduce five case studies of data visualization that highlight different design aspects and issues of the visualization process. The authors also discuss the new roles of designers in this interdisciplinary field and the ways of utilizing, as well as enhancing, visualization tools for the better support of designers.