Abstract

The advent of computers with high processing power has led to the generation of huge datasets containing large numbers of elements, where each element is often characterized by multiple attributes. This has led to a critical need for ways to explore and analyze large, multidimensional information spaces. Visualization lends itself well to this challenge by enabling users to visually explore, analyze, and discover patterns within their data. Most visualization techniques are based on the assumption that the display device has sufficient resolution, and that our visual acuity is adequate to complete the analysis tasks. This may not be true however, particularly for specialized display devices (e.g., PDAs, or large-format projection walls). This paper discusses which properties of a display device need to be considered when visualizing large, multidimensional datasets. We also investigate the strengths and limitations of our visual system, in particular to understand how basic visual properties like color, texture, and motion are distinguished. These findings will form the basis for new research on how to best match a visualization design to a display’s physical characteristics and a viewer’s visual abilities.