A08 | Learning and Explaining Dimensionality Reduction through Visualization

Prof. Michael Sedlmair, University of Stuttgart
Email | Website

Michael Sedlmair

Prof. Daniel A. Keim, University of Konstanz
Email | Website

Daniel A. Keim

René Cutura, University of Stuttgart – Email | Website

Dr. Quynh Quang Ngo, University of Stuttgart – Email | Website

Katrin Angerbauer, University of Stuttgart – Email | Website

In recent years, machine learning has gained much attention for its ability to model complex human tasks, such as driving cars or composing music. In visualization research, there is currently a large effort to investigate how visualization can support machine learning research and practice.

In this project, we will take the reversed perspective and investigate how machine learning can support visualization research and practice. In particular, we will leverage machine learning to build and evaluate a new generation of models for visual perception and design.

Visualizing data is a process that involves many delicate design choices: How should the data be aggregated? Which visual encoding should be used? And how should it be parametrized?

In oder to make good design choices, many alternatives to aggregate and represent the data need to be evaluated. To make the work with the data more effective and easier, the project pursues several goals.

Goals

Novel models for visual perception and design decisions.

A new user-oriented research methodology.

Evaluating and characterizing the methodology.

Fig.1: Illustration of the proposed learning-based methology using class seperation as an example. This novel user-oriented testing methodology will help us in bridging quantitative and qualitative methodes.

Fig. 2: A typical perceptual task that could be modeled using our methodology is class seperation scatterplots.

Publications

  1. L. Xiao et al., “A Systematic Review of Ability-diverse Collaboration through Ability-based Lens in HCI,” in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. New York, NY, USA: ACM, 2024, pp. 1–21. doi: 10.1145/3613904.3641930.
  2. M. M. Hamza, E. Ullah, A. Baggag, H. Bensmail, M. Sedlmair, and M. Aupetit, “ClustML: A measure of cluster pattern complexity in scatterplots learnt from human-labeled groupings,” Information Visualization, vol. 23, no. 2, Art. no. 2, 2024, doi: 10.1177/14738716231220536.
  3. K. Angerbauer et al., “Is it Part of Me? Exploring Experiences of Inclusive Avatar Use For Visible and Invisible Disabilities in Social VR,” in The 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, in The 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, vol. 64. New York, NY, USA: ACM, 2024, pp. 1–15. doi: 10.1145/3663548.3675601.
  4. M. Jenadeleh et al., “An Image Quality Dataset with Triplet Comparisons for Multi-dimensional Scaling,” 2024, IEEE. doi: 10.1109/qomex61742.2024.10598258.
  5. R. Bauer et al., “Visual Ensemble Analysis of Fluid Flow in Porous Media across Simulation Codes and Experiment,” Transport in Porous Media, 2023, doi: 10.1007/s11242-023-02019-y#citeas.
  6. N. Doerr, K. Angerbauer, M. Reinelt, and M. Sedlmair, “Bees, Birds and Butterflies: Investigating the Influence of Distractors on Visual Attention Guidance Techniques,” in Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, in Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 2023. doi: 10.1145/3544549.3585816.
  7. K.-T. Chen et al., “Reading Strategies for Graph Visualizations That Wrap Around in Torus Topology,” in Proceedings of the 2023 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications, in Proceedings of the 2023 Symposium on Eye Tracking Research and Applications. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 2023. doi: 10.1145/3588015.3589841.
  8. F. Heyen, Q. Q. Ngo, and M. Sedlmair, “Visual Overviews for Sheet Music Structure,” in Proceedings of the 24th International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR) 2023, in Proceedings of the 24th International Society for Music Information Retrieval Conference (ISMIR) 2023. ISMIR, Dec. 2023, pp. 692–699. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.10265383.
  9. C. Morariu, A. Bibal, R. Cutura, B. Frénay, and M. Sedlmair, “Predicting User Preferences of Dimensionality Reduction Embedding Quality,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, vol. 29, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9904619
  10. T. Ge et al., “Optimally Ordered Orthogonal Neighbor Joining Trees for Hierarchical Cluster Analysis,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, pp. 1–13, 2023, [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10147241
  11. G. Tkachev, R. Cutura, M. Sedlmair, S. Frey, and T. Ertl, “Metaphorical Visualization: Mapping Data to Familiar Concepts,” in CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Extended Abstracts, in CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems Extended Abstracts. ACM, Apr. 2022, pp. 1–10. doi: 10.1145/3491101.3516393.
  12. K. Angerbauer et al., “Accessibility for Color Vision Deficiencies: Challenges and Findings of a Large Scale Study on Paper Figures,” in Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, in Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 2022. doi: 10.1145/3491102.3502133.
  13. Q. Q. Ngo, F. L. Dennig, D. A. Keim, and M. Sedlmair, “Machine Learning Meets Visualization – Experiences and Lessons Learned,” it - Information Technology, vol. 64, pp. 169–180, 2022, doi: 10.1515/itit-2022-0034.
  14. M. Abdelaal, N. D. Schiele, K. Angerbauer, K. Kurzhals, M. Sedlmair, and D. Weiskopf, “Comparative Evaluation of Bipartite, Node-Link, and Matrix-Based Network Representations,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, pp. 1–11, 2022.
  15. K. Klein, M. Sedlmair, and F. Schreiber, “Immersive Analytics: An Overview,” it - Information Technology, vol. 64, pp. 155–168, 2022, doi: 10.1515/itit-2022-0037.
  16. G. Richer, A. Pister, M. Abdelaal, J.-D. Fekete, M. Sedlmair, and D. Weiskopf, “Scalability in Visualization,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, pp. 1–15, 2022.
  17. M. Abdelaal, N. D. Schiele, K. Angerbauer, K. Kurzhals, M. Sedlmair, and D. Weiskopf, “Supplemental Materials for: Comparative Evaluation of Bipartite, Node-Link, and Matrix-Based Network Representations,” 2022, DaRUS. [Online]. Available: https://darus.uni-stuttgart.de/citation?persistentId=doi:10.18419/darus-3100
  18. P. Fleck, A. Sousa Calepso, S. Hubenschmid, M. Sedlmair, and D. Schmalstieg, “RagRug: A Toolkit for Situated Analytics,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 2022, [Online]. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35254986/
  19. S. Dosdall, K. Angerbauer, L. Merino, M. Sedlmair, and D. Weiskopf, “Toward In-Situ Authoring of Situated Visualization with Chorded Keyboards,” in 15th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction, VINCI 2022, Chur, Switzerland, August 16-18, 2022, M. Burch, G. Wallner, and D. Limberger, Eds., in 15th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction, VINCI 2022, Chur, Switzerland, August 16-18, 2022. ACM, Aug. 2022, pp. 1–5. doi: 10.1145/3554944.3554970.
  20. K. Angerbauer and M. Sedlmair, “Toward Inclusion and Accessibility in Visualization Research: Speculations on Challenges, Solution Strategies, and Calls for Action (Position Paper),” in 2022 IEEE Evaluation and Beyond - Methodological Approaches for Visualization (BELIV), in 2022 IEEE Evaluation and Beyond - Methodological Approaches for Visualization (BELIV). Oct. 2022, pp. 20–27. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9978448
  21. R. Cutura, C. Morariu, Z. Cheng, Y. Wang, D. Weiskopf, and M. Sedlmair, “Hagrid — Gridify Scatterplots with Hilbert and Gosper Curves,” in The 14th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction, in The 14th International Symposium on Visual Information Communication and Interaction. New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 2021, p. 1:1—1:8. doi: 10.1145/3481549.3481569.
  22. R. Cutura, K. Angerbauer, F. Heyen, N. Hube, and M. Sedlmair, “DaRt: Generative Art using Dimensionality Reduction Algorithms,” in 2021 IEEE VIS Arts Program (VISAP), in 2021 IEEE VIS Arts Program (VISAP). IEEE, 2021, pp. 59–72. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9622987
  23. C. Morariu, A. Bibal, R. Cutura, B. Frénay, and M. Sedlmair, “DumbleDR: Predicting User Preferences of Dimensionality Reduction Projection Quality,” 2021. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.09275
  24. C. Krauter, J. Vogelsang, A. Sousa Calepso, K. Angerbauer, and M. Sedlmair, “Don’t Catch It: An Interactive Virtual-Reality Environment to Learn About COVID-19 Measures Using Gamification Elements,” in Mensch und Computer, in Mensch und Computer. ACM, 2021, pp. 593–596. doi: 10.1145/3473856.3474031.
  25. G. J. Rijken et al., “Illegible Semantics: Exploring the Design Space of Metal Logos,” in IEEE VIS alt.VIS Workshop, in IEEE VIS alt.VIS Workshop. 2021. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/2109.01688
  26. J. Bernard, M. Hutter, M. Zeppelzauer, M. Sedlmair, and T. Munzner, “ProSeCo: Visual analysis of class separation measures and dataset characteristics,” Computers & Graphics, vol. 96, pp. 48–60, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0097849321000406
  27. M. Kraus, K. Klein, J. Fuchs, D. A. Keim, F. Schreiber, and M. Sedlmair, “The Value of Immersive Visualization,” IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications (CG&A), vol. 41, no. 4, Art. no. 4, 2021, doi: 10.1109/MCG.2021.3075258.
  28. J. Bernard, M. Hutter, M. Sedlmair, M. Zeppelzauer, and T. Munzner, “A Taxonomy of Property Measures to Unify Active Learning and Human-centered Approaches to Data Labeling,” ACM Transactions on Interactive Intelligent Systems (TiiS), vol. 11, pp. 1–42, 2021, doi: 10.1145/3439333.
  29. K. Lu et al., “Palettailor: Discriminable Colorization for Categorical Data,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization & Computer Graphics, vol. 27, no. 2, Art. no. 2, Feb. 2021, [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9222351
  30. M. Kraus et al., “Immersive Analytics with Abstract 3D Visualizations: A Survey,” Computer Graphics Forum, 2021, doi: 10.1111/cgf.14430.
  31. C. Bu et al., “SineStream: Improving the Readability of Streamgraphs by Minimizing Sine Illusion Effects,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, vol. 27, no. 2, Art. no. 2, 2021, [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9222035
  32. N. Grossmann, J. Bernard, M. Sedlmair, and M. Waldner, “Does the Layout Really Matter? A Study on Visual Model Accuracy Estimation,” in IEEE Visualization Conference  (VIS, Short Paper), in IEEE Visualization Conference  (VIS, Short Paper). 2021, pp. 61–65. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.07188
  33. M. M. Abbas, E. Ullah, A. Baggag, H. Bensmail, M. Sedlmair, and M. Aupetit, “ClustRank: A Visual Quality Measure Trained on Perceptual Data for Sorting Scatterplots by Cluster Patterns,” 2021. [Online]. Available: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2106.00599.pdf
  34. J. Bernard, M. Hutter, M. Zeppelzauer, M. Sedlmair, and T. Munzner, “SepEx: Visual Analysis of Class Separation Measures,” in Proceedings of the International Workshop on Visual Analytics (EuroVA), C. Turkay and K. Vrotsou, Eds., in Proceedings of the International Workshop on Visual Analytics (EuroVA). The Eurographics Association, 2020, pp. 1–5. doi: 10.2312/eurova.20201079.
  35. F. Heyen et al., “ClaVis: An Interactive Visual Comparison System for Classifiers,” in Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI), in Proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces (AVI). New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery, 2020, pp. 9:1-9:9. doi: 10.1145/3399715.3399814.
  36. M. Kraus et al., “Assessing 2D and 3D Heatmaps for Comparative Analysis: An Empirical Study,” in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2020, pp. 546:1-546:14. doi: 10.1145/3313831.3376675.
  37. S. Öney et al., “Evaluation of Gaze Depth Estimation from Eye Tracking in Augmented Reality,” in Proceedings of the Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications-Short Paper (ETRA-SP), in Proceedings of the Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications-Short Paper (ETRA-SP). ACM, 2020, pp. 49:1-49:5. doi: 10.1145/3379156.3391835.
  38. L. Merino et al., “Toward Agile Situated Visualization: An Exploratory User Study,” in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems-Extended Abstracts (CHI-EA), in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems-Extended Abstracts (CHI-EA). 2020, p. LBW087:1-LBW087:7. doi: 10.1145/3334480.3383017.
  39. A. Streichert, K. Angerbauer, M. Schwarzl, and M. Sedlmair, “Comparing Input Modalities for Shape Drawing Tasks,” in Proceedings of the Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications-Short Papers (ETRA-SP), in Proceedings of the Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications-Short Papers (ETRA-SP). ACM, 2020, pp. 1–5. doi: 10.1145/3379156.3391830.
  40. M. Kraus et al., “A Comparative Study of Orientation Support Tools in Virtual Reality Environments with Virtual Teleportation,” in 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), in 2020 IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR). 2020, pp. 227–238. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9284697
  41. K. Kurzhals, F. Göbel, K. Angerbauer, M. Sedlmair, and M. Raubal, “A View on the Viewer: Gaze-Adaptive Captions for Videos,” in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, in Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. 2020, pp. 139:1-139:12. doi: 10.1145/3313831.3376266.
  42. P. Balestrucci et al., “Pipelines Bent, Pipelines Broken: Interdisciplinary Self-Reflection on the Impact of COVID-19 on Current and Future Research (Position Paper),” in 2020 IEEE Workshop on Evaluation and Beyond-Methodological Approaches to Visualization (BELIV), in 2020 IEEE Workshop on Evaluation and Beyond-Methodological Approaches to Visualization (BELIV). IEEE, 2020, pp. 11–18. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9307759
  43. L. Merino, M. Schwarzl, M. Kraus, M. Sedlmair, D. Schmalstieg, and D. Weiskopf, “Evaluating Mixed and Augmented Reality: A Systematic Literature Review (2009 – 2019),” in IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR), in IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR). 2020. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9284762
  44. N. Pathmanathan et al., “Eye vs. Head: Comparing Gaze Methods for Interaction in Augmented Reality,” in Proceedings of the Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications (ETRA), in Proceedings of the Symposium on Eye Tracking Research & Applications (ETRA). ACM, 2020, pp. 50:1-50:5. doi: 10.1145/3379156.3391829.
  45. Y. Wang et al., “Improving the Robustness of Scagnostics,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, vol. 26, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2019, [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8807247
  46. M. Aupetit, M. Sedlmair, M. M. Abbas, A. Baggag, and H. Bensmail, “Toward Perception-based Evaluation of Clustering Techniques for Visual Analytics,” in Proceedings of the IEEE Visualization Conference (VIS), in Proceedings of the IEEE Visualization Conference (VIS). IEEE, 2019, pp. 141–145. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8933620
  47. Y. Wang et al., “A Perception-driven Approach to Supervised Dimensionality Reduction for Visualization,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, vol. 24, no. 5, Art. no. 5, 2018, [Online]. Available: https://www.computer.org/csdl/journal/tg/2018/05/07920403/13rRUEgs2M7
  48. A. C. Valdez, M. Ziefle, and M. Sedlmair, “Priming and Anchoring Effects in Visualization,” IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, vol. 24, no. 1, Art. no. 1, 2018, [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8022891
  49. T. Torsney-Weir, S. Afroozeh, M. Sedlmair, and T. Möller, “Risk Fixers and Sweet Spotters: a Study of the Different Approaches to Using Visual Sensitivity Analysis in an Investment Scenario,” in Proceedings of the Eurographics Conference on Visualization (EuroVis), J. Johansson, F. Sadlo, and T. Schreck, Eds., in Proceedings of the Eurographics Conference on Visualization (EuroVis). Eurographics Association, 2018, pp. 119–123. doi: 10.5555/3290776.3290801.
  50. M. Aupetit and M. Sedlmair, “SepMe: 2002 New Visual Separation Measures.,” in Proceedings of the IEEE Pacific Visualization Symposium (PacificVis), C. Hansen, I. Viola, and X. Yuan, Eds., in Proceedings of the IEEE Pacific Visualization Symposium (PacificVis). IEEE, 2016, pp. 1–8. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7465244
  51. M. Sedlmair and M. Aupetit, “Data-driven Evaluation of Visual Quality Measures,” Computer Graphics Forum, vol. 34, no. 3, Art. no. 3, 2015, doi: 10.5555/2858877.2858899.

Project Group A

Models and Measures

 

Completed

 

Project Group B

Adaptive Algorithms

 

Completed

 

Project Group C

Interaction

 

Completed

 

Project Group D

Applications

 

Completed