Parallel Sets is a visualization technique for categorical data. While it is based on bar charts, it requires considerable effort to become familiar with. We want to use animations and transitions from more familiar data displays to help users understand this more complex (and more powerful) visualization.
The student will design, implement, and test several animations and transitions. There is some existing animation code in the program, but we expect that some of its architecture will have to be adapted to accommodate more elaborate animations. We want to try out a number of different strategies for animations (e.g., starting from a bar chart of a single dimension that morphs into one dimension in the Parallel Sets, and then adding two or three more dimensions in a similar way). In a small user study, we will then empirically test which one(s) are the most effective.
Parallel Sets is written in Java and uses OpenGL. Knowledge of Java or a similar language is required; direct work with OpenGL is fairly unlikely, but if necessary, we will provide all the assistance needed.