Visualization metaphor

Semiotic analysis of a visual sign helps in the development of visualization systems as it provides basic requirements for it's understanding. Visual metaphors, be an  icon representing a specific component or function in a system or a graphical  representation of information, are all created through signs (i.e. constituting  natural  anguages). The semiotic approach can be applied to diff erent  parts of interface design, such as icons of interface components (icon of a chat  rogram, email icon) or specific functions (e.g. "cut", "print", "save"), or a  development of visualization systems where a combination of signs requires a more complex analysis. Furthermore, it helps to identify the ambiguity of interpretations.

The sign denotes a unit of what is represented (the object), how it is represented (the representamen), and its possible interpretation(s).

In the context of DE, we identify two areas of visualization metaphor:

• visualization of a system and its components

In HCI environments, icons are one of the common signs to represent an object or a function. They can be  iconic, indexical, or symbolic depending on their representation role and on their perception.

• visualization of data

In the context of data visualization, the correlation between two aspects plays a significant role and often requires a "metaphorical point of view": the choice of a visualization type (graph, network, chart, etc.) and the pattern(s) or specific characteristics of data we want to visualize. This mapping between the information that has to be illustrated to the user and signs used for its representation is a metaphor in its nature. The choice of a "good" visualization metaphor strongly depends on the goal of a system.