Illuminating complexity with visual design
George Shewchuk
In the age multidisciplinarity and cross-pollination between domain experts it’s critical to find new ways to share research data and information. We can aid and expedite comprehension through visual translation and visual thinking. In part, this would entail the creation of gigamaps 1: aesthecially designed visual artefacts that take on the form of richly detailed, large scale images 2 representing various levels of textual and visual information. This map essentially captures and communicates the story of research and thought-process that has been—and is being—conducted. In turn, it acts as a centerpiece for collaboration with all the stakeholders. It's a living document that begins it's life in the "room" as a co-created artfact that will change over time as more research is conducted. It's also very natural for it to devolve as much as evolve when new information comes to light and old assumptions are layed bare.
1 Sevaldson, B. (2011). Giga-mapping: visualisation for complexity and systems thinking in design. Nordic Design Research Conferences. retreived from http://ocs.sfu.ca/nordes/index.php/nordes/2011/paper/view/409/256
2 The form the gigamap takes is open. It could be a video, or even a entire room filled with research data. The key point to remember is that whatever form it takes, there has to be a flow. It is, after all, a type of “story”. It must allow for instinctual discovery. The creators and users need to be able to “read between the lines” to discover and tease out new insights.