Beyond Scientific Visualization: Mapping Information

The term "scientific visualization" conjures up mental images of molecules reacting or velocity vectors whizzing around. Yet, visualization is migrating beyond the scientific domain because it maps not only numerical, but all data into visual representations. This panel compares several visualization methodologies and how they have employed advanced computer graphics to map abstract information into meaningful animations and interactive software. Panelists demonstrate how they have organized abstract data or concepts using spatial, quantitative, dynamic, and symbolic techniques to visually communicate maximum information. Examples from linguistics, humanities, education, statistics, engineering, and science are presented.