About

We currently witness an increase in web-based, data-driven initiatives that call themselves “atlases” while explaining complex, contemporary issues through data and visualizations: climate change, sustainability, AI, or cultural discoveries. To understand this emerging genre and inform their design, study, and authoring support, we conducted a systematic analysis of 33 visualization atlases and semi-structured interviews with eight visualization atlas creators. Based on our results, we contribute (1) a definition of a visualization atlas as a compendium of (web) pages aimed at explaining and supporting exploration of data about a dedicated topic through data, visualizations and narration. (2) a set of design patterns of 8 design dimensions, (3) insights into the atlas creation from interviews and (4) the definition of 5 visualization atlas genres. We found that visualization atlases are unique in the way they combine i) exploratory visualization, ii) narrative elements from data-driven storytelling and iii) structured navigation mechanisms. They target a wide range of audiences with different levels of domain knowledge, acting as tools for study, communication, and discovery. We conclude with a discussion of current design practices and emerging questions around the ethics and potential real-world impact of visualization atlases, aimed to inform the design and study of visualization atlases.

Working Definition

A Visualization Atlas is a compendium of (web) pages aimed at explaining and supporting exploration of data about a dedicated topic through data, visualizations and narration.

Design Space
Entry page
  • Featured
  • Random data
  • Metadata
  • table of content
  • personalization
  • lenses
  • Interactive vis
  • Vis screenshot
  • Cover vis/teaser
Content page
  • Report
  • Article
  • Dashboard
  • Exploratory vis
  • Chart collection
  • Table
  • Combination
Atlas structure
  • Parallel
  • Hierarchical
  • Multifacets
  • No structure
Transparency
  • Data sourced
  • Export data/vis
  • Open source
  • Quality Evaluation
  • Methodology
Vis type
  • Basic charts
  • Maps
  • Networks
  • Trees
  • Projection
  • Glyphys
  • Others
Vis interaction
  • Create focus
  • Customize data
  • Switch views
  • Coordinated views
  • Configure Layout
Atlas navigation
  • Search
  • Visual identity
  • Structural overview
  • Page links
Onboarding
  • Walkthrough
  • Glossary
  • Video
  • Textual user guide