The role of Depth and Gestalt cues in information-rich virtual environments

• Published in: International journal of human-computer studies Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 30 - 51
• Main Authors: Polys, Nicholas F., Bowman, Doug A., North, Chris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Artificial intelligence; Augmented cognition; Biological and medical sciences; Computer science; control theory; systems; Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Information theory; Information visualization; Pattern recognition. Digital image processing. Computational geometry; Perception; Psychology of perception; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Software; Virtual environments; Information visualization; Augmented cognition; Virtual environments; Psychology of perception; Information theory; Methodology; Text; Mental model; Cognitive theory; User interface; Data visualization; Graphical interface; Virtual reality; Sensorial perception; Data structure; Usability
• ISSN: 1071-5819; 1095-9300
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2010.05.007

Managing the layout of multi-dimensional visualizations is a crucial concern for the development of effective visual analytic interfaces. In these environments, heterogeneous and multi-dimensional information must be structured and combined into data representations that demand low cognitive resources but yield accurate mental models and insights. In this paper, we use Information-Rich Virtual Environments (IRVE) to articulate crucial tradeoffs in the use of Depth and Gestalt cues in text label layouts. We present a design space and evaluation methodology to explore the usability effects of these tradeoffs and collect results from a series of user studies. These lessons are posed as a set of design guidelines to aid developers of new, advantageous interfaces and specifications.
►We evaluate layouts for labels in information-rich virtual environments. ►Label layouts are classified by their configuration of depth and gestalt cues. ►A task taxonomy is employed to test user's integration of different information types. ►Users leverage different perceptual cues depending on the task type and the display size.