1. ¹Laboratory for Human–Computer Interaction and Health Care Informatics, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
2. ²College of Computing / GVU Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.

Correspondence: Ji Soo Yi, Laboratory for Human–Computer Interaction and Health Care Informatics, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0205, U.S.A. Tel: +1 404 385 2545; Fax: +1 404 385 6115; E-mail: jyi@isye.gatech.edu

Received 2 November 2004; Revised 5 April 2005; Accepted 11 April 2005; Published online 23 June 2005.

Abstract

The use of multivariate information visualization techniques is intrinsically difficult because the multidimensional nature of data cannot be effectively presented and understood on real-world displays, which have limited dimensionalities. However, the necessity to use these techniques in daily life is increasing as the amount and complexity of data grows explosively in the information age. Thus, multivariate information visualization techniques that are easier to understand and more accessible are needed for the general population. In order to meet this need, the present paper proposes Dust & Magnet, a multivariate information visualization technique using a magnet metaphor and various interactive techniques. The intuitive magnet metaphor and subsequent interactions facilitate the ease of learning this multivariate information visualization technique. A visualization tool such as Dust & Magnet has the potential to increase the acceptance of and utility for multivariate information by a broader population of users who are not necessarily knowledgeable about multivariate information visualization techniques.