Comparing infovis designs with different information architecture for communicating complex information

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the connections of information architecture (IA) with information visualization (InfoVis) through the discussion of different visualization designs used to demonstrate the occupations pursued by college students after graduation. In examining this topic, we used different information architectures to compare three visualization layouts based on the same data. The three layouts included one published visualization and two visualization designs developed by the researchers. We then used eight IA principles to compare how these visualizaitons communicate the complex relationship between majors, occupations, and their related characteristics in relation to the career paths of students.