The assigned paper for this session was “ImAxes: Immersive Axes as Embodied Affordances for Interactive Multivariate Data Visualisation,” a work from Cordeil et al. I found the main idea of the paper fascinating: using virtual reality (VR) to enhance data visualizations. One of the main difficulties associated with producing data visualizations arises with highly multidimensional data. As humans, we are limited to visualizations that exist in 3D space. Unfortunately, this allows us to represent the relationships between only three variables in a given plot. There are several workarounds, such as parallel coordinate plots (PCPs) and scatterplot matrices (SPLOMs). With each of these tools. however, come additional difficulties: limited visualization space, occlusion of data points, etc. With ImAxes, the authors propose a solution leveraging VR. Essentially, ImAxes allows users to create data visualizations that are situated in a VR. By selecting “building blocks” (e.g., axes) from a “toolbox”, users can construct both traditional data visualizations as well as visualizations that would not be possible in a traditional setting. These include such novel ideas as linked SPLOMs, circular 1-to-many PCPs, and overlaid SPLOMs. As one might expect when discussing visualizations, it is difficult to explain the many varieties of 3D arrangements that can be designed. I recommend looking at the many figures in the paper to get a visual sense of ImAxes capabilities.
While I am excited about the new visualizations enabled by ImAxes, I wish the authors had spent more time on discussing the benefits of using VR. These types of visualizations could also be enabled by creating a similar 3D space that could be accessed through traditional means (e.g., a video game). This space could be manipulated with mouse and keyboard while presenting itself to the user on a monitor (instead of a VR headset). The authors briefly mention ideas such as “presence” and “embodiment,” but stop short of saying why these concepts assist in the creation of data visualizations. Is the more intuitive nature of interaction what benefits the visualizations? In VR, instead of interacting with a mouse, we can twist and slide visualizations just like we interact with physical objects in the world. Or does the presence in the “data space” lend a more creative vantage for creation? I wish that the authors had conducted some user studies to analyze the benefits of a VR environment. Given an equally featured program that appeared on a computer monitor, would the visualizations created be as novel and informative as those created in VR?