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FatFonts : Combining the symbolic and visual aspects of numbers

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NacentaHinrichsCarpendale_FatFonts.pdf (4.690Mb)
Date
2012
Author
Nacenta, Miguel
Hinrichs, Uta
Carpendale, Sheelagh
Keywords
Typography
Information Visualization
Number Systems
Redundant Encoding
Scalar Fields
Visual Data Encoding
Scientific Visualization
QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
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Abstract
In this paper we explore numeric typeface design for visualization purposes. We introduce FatFonts, a technique for visualizing quantitative data that bridges the gap between numeric and visual representations. FatFonts are based on Arabic numerals but, unlike regular numeric typefaces, the amount of ink (dark pixels) used for each digit is proportional to its quantitative value. This enables accurate reading of the numerical data while preserving an overall visual context. We discuss the challenges of this approach that we identified through our design process and propose a set of design goals that include legibility, familiarity, readability, spatial precision, dynamic range, and resolution. We contribute four FatFont typefaces that are derived from our exploration of the design space that these goals introduce. Finally, we discuss three example scenarios that show how FatFonts can be used for visualization purposes as valuable representation alternatives.
Citation
Nacenta , M , Hinrichs , U & Carpendale , S 2012 , FatFonts : Combining the symbolic and visual aspects of numbers . in Proceedings of the International Working Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces . ACM , New York , pp. 407-414 . https://doi.org/10.1145/2254556.2254636
Publication
Proceedings of the International Working Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1145/2254556.2254636
Type
Conference item
Rights
© ACM 2012. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here for your personal use. Not for redistribution. The definitive Version of Record was published in the Proceedings of the International Working Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI 2012), http://dx.doi.org/10.1145/2254556.2254636 The copy of record of the paper can be found in: http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?doid=2254556.2254636
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  • University of St Andrews Research
URL
http://fatfonts.org
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/5412

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