Design Data

DYNAMIC VISUALISATION VARIABLES IN ANIMATION:

THEIR USE FOR THE MONITORING OF SPATIAL DYNAMICS

Blok, C.

International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC),

Geo-Information Processing Department, P.O.Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede,

The Netherlands. E-mail: ****@***.**

ABSTRACT

Animation is often believed to be useful for the representation of real world dynamics because it can represent spatial

and temporal aspects of geographic phenomena. However, the question whether animations are also effective

visualization media is not yet fully answered. Research conducted so far with geo-applications provides mixed evidence

(see for examples and a discussion 1). It has been suggested, however, that animations might be particularly useful in

applications where detailed sequential information about changes is important (2). Such an application is monitoring.

The main objective of monitoring of spatial dynamics is to gain insights in the spatio-temporal behaviour of geographic

phenomena. Insights enables domain experts to warn or act otherwise in case of undesired developments, like hazards.

It may also lead to the generation of models of reality which are, for example, used to estimate the effects of

interference in a development, or to extrapolation of trends to predict future developments. Monitoring is important for

the sustainable development of our world.

Insights in the behaviour of geographic phenomena can be obtained by applying computational methods, but the human

ability to quickly see patterns, relationships, trends, movement and other changes is very powerful. Therefore, visual

exploration of animations can perhaps complement computational methods.

In an animation data are represented by graphic variables in the spatial dimensions of the maps/images. In addition,

dynamic visualisation variables (like order and duration) are applied in the temporal dimension (3, 4). Application of

graphic variables is well studied. This research focuses on the use of dynamic visualisation variables by domain experts

who visually explore animations to execute monitoring tasks. Previously, the conceptual framework for the use of the

variables has been developed. It involved identification of questions relevant for an expert in monitoring (5); aspects of

change that are addressed by these questions (5); cognitive tasks required to find answers by visually exploring

animations (6); characteristics of dynamic visualisation variables and possible ways to use them to find answers to the

questions (7).

The presentation will focus on animation design and empirical testing by domain experts. As a case study, vegetation

monitoring is used. Data of an Iranian wetland area have been obtained for a period of more than four years. In total

147 Spot images (ten-day synthesis products of the SPOT 4 Vegetation optical instrument) are used during the

evaluations. Questions addressed are: Which strategies are used to visually explore differently designed animations; do

different designs trigger different cognitive processes; and which design model is most effective? Animations in which

the dynamic visualisation variables can be viewed only and, alternatively, can be interactively controlled by the experts

will be used. Results of a focus group session - organized to discuss animation design, tasks, use scenario s and

problems that might occur during later tests - will be described (8). Because of the interest in use strategies and

cognitive processes, the think aloud method, followed by a retrospective session, will be used for empirical testing

(9,10). The last two tests will be executed in the user test research laboratory, set-up by my colleague Corn van

Elzakker, who also applies these methods (11). Finally, results of the analysis of the test data will be described. The

ultimate aim of the research is to contribute to the development of methods and tools to visually explore geodata.

REFERENCES

[1] T.A. Slocum, C.A. Blok, B. Jiang, A. Koussoulakou, D.R. Montello, S. Fuhrmann and N. Hedley, Cognitive and

usability issues in geovisualization. Cartography and Geographic Information Science 28(1), pp. 61-75 (2001)

[2] J.B. Morrison, B. Tverksy and M. Betrancourt, Animation: does it facilitate learning? Proceedings of AAAI

Spring Symposium on Smart Graphics. Stanford, California, pp. 53-59 (2000)

Proceedings of the 21st International Cartographic Conference (ICC) Durban, South Africa, 10 16 August 2003

Cartographic Renaissance Hosted by The International Cartographic Association (ICA)

ISBN: 0-958-46093-0 Produced by: Document Transformation Technologies

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[4] A.M. MacEachren, Visualization in modern cartography: setting the agenda. In: A.M. MacEachren and D.R.

Fraser Taylor (eds), Visualization in modern cartography. Modern Cartography, Volume two. Oxford: Elsevier

Science Ltd., pp 1-12 (1994)

[5] C.A. Blok, Monitoring change: characteristics of dynamic geo-spatial phenomena for visual exploration. In:

Freksa, C., Brauer, W., Habel, C., and Wender, K.F. (Eds.), Spatial cognition II, Integrating abstract theories,

empirical studies, formal methods, and practical applications. Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence 1849.

Berlin etc: Springer, pp. 16-30 (2000)

[6] C.A. Blok, K bben, B., Cheng, T., and Kuterema, A.A.. Visualization of relationships between spatial patterns

in time by cartographic animation. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 26(2), pp.139-151 (1999)

[7] C.A. Blok, Vergelijking van de effectiviteit van dynamische visualisatievariabelen in view-only en interactieve

animaties: bij een gebruikerstest te onderzoeken aspecten. Kartografisch Tijdschrift 2002.XXVIII.1, pp. 7-14

(2002)

[8] D.L. Morgan, The focus group guide book. Focus group kit 1. Thousand Oaks, California etc.: Sage

Publications, Inc. (1997)

[9] K.A. Ericsson and H.A. Simon, Protocol Analysis; verbal reports as data. Revised edition. Cambridge,

Massachusetts; London, England: The MIT Press (1993)

[10] M.W. van Someren, Y.F. Barnard and J.A.C. Sandberg, The think aloud method: a practical guide to modelling

cognitive processes. London etc.: Academic Press (1994)

[11] C.P.J.M. van Elzakker, Thinking aloud about exploratory cartography. In: C.P. Keller (ed.), Touch the Past,

Visualize the Future. Proceedings 19th International Cartographic Conference, Ottawa, Canada, August 14-21,

1999. Vol. 1, pp. 559-569. Ottawa: Organizing Committee for Ottawa ICA 1999 (1999)

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DYNAMIC VISUALISATION VARIABLES IN ANIMATION:

THEIR USE FOR THE MONITORING OF SPATIAL DYNAMICS

Blok, C.

International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC),

Geo-Information Processing Department, P.O.Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede,

The Netherlands. E-mail: ****@***.**

Biography

Connie (C.A.) Blok is employed at the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation in

Enschede, The Netherlands (http://www.itc.nl).

She is working in the Department of Geo-Information Processing as assistant professor in Geovisualization, and her

major activities are in research and education.

With respect to research, the main interests are in map design and geo-spatial data visualization in general, and more

specifically in:

dynamic and interactive visualisation;

map use;

cognitive issues related to map use.

The contribution to this conference can be viewed in the context of her research entitled:

Dynamic visualization variables in animation; their use for the monitoring of dynamic geo-spatial phenomena.

Outside ITC, she is actively involved in the Netherlands Cartographic Society (NVK), e.g. as editor of the Netherlands

Cartographic Journal (Kartografisch Tijdschrift) for more than 10 years. Internationally, she is involved in the ICA

Commission on Visualization and Virtual Environments as a corresponding member.

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