Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-ndmmz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-01T04:36:11.890Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

DEVELOPING SYSTEMS VISUALISATIONS IN DESIGN THROUGH A TYPOLOGY OF VISUAL TASKS: A MECHATRONIC CASE

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2021

Agzam Idrissov ,
Simon Rapp ,
Albert Albers  and
Anja M. Maier
Agzam Idrissov*
Affiliation:
DTU - Technical University of Denmark
Simon Rapp
Affiliation:
KIT - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Albert Albers
Affiliation:
KIT - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Anja M. Maier
Affiliation:
DTU - Technical University of Denmark
*
Idrissov, Agzam, DTU - Technical University of Denmark, Engineering Systems Group, Denmark, agzid@dtu.dk

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Visual representations are essential to design. Data-rich representations such as systems visualisations are gaining prominence in engineering practice. However, as such visualisations are often developed ad-hoc, we propose more systematically to link visual tasks with design-specific tasks for which the visualisations are used. Whereas research on such linking focuses mostly on CAD models and sketches, no such studies are yet available for systems visualisations. Thus, this paper introduces a typology of visual tasks from the Information Visualisation field to aid the development of systems visualisations in design. To build a visualisation using the typology, a case study with engineering students developing an autonomous robot was conducted. Through interviews and analysis of product representations used, design-specific tasks were identified and decomposed into visual tasks. Then, a visualisation that assisted the team in performing their design activities was created. Results illustrate the benefits of using such a typology to describe visual tasks and generate systems visualisations. The study suggests implications for researchers studying visual representations in design as well as for developers of systems visualisations.

Keywords

VisualisationDesign processMechatronicsVisual representationDesign activity
Type
Article
Information
Proceedings of the Design Society , Volume 1: ICED21 , August 2021 , pp. 1213 - 1222
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

References

Abi Akle, A., Yannou, B. and Minel, S. (2017), “Design space visualization for efficiency in knowledge discovery leading to an informed decision”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, ICED, Vol. 6, pp. 61–70.Google Scholar
Albers, A., Bursac, N., Scherer, H., Birk, C., Powelske, J. and Muschik, S. (2019), “Model-based systems engineering in modular design”, Design Science, Vol. 5, pp. 1–33, https://doi.org/10.1017/dsj.2019.15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Amar, R., Eagan, J. and Stasko, J. (2005), “Low-level components of analytic activity in information visualization”, Proceedings - IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization, INFO VIS, pp. 111–117, https://doi.org/10.1109/INFVIS.2005.1532136.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baldonado, M.Q.W., Woodruff, A. and Kuchinsky, A. (2000), “Guidelines for using multiple views in information visualization”, Workshop on Advanced Visual Interfaces, No. February 2013, pp. 110–119, https://doi.org/10.1145/345513.345271.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beck, F., Burch, M., Diehl, S. and Weiskopf, D. (2017), “A Taxonomy and Survey of Dynamic Graph Visualization”, Computer Graphics Forum, Vol. 36 No. 1, pp. 133–159, https://doi.org/10.1111/cgf.12791.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bilda, Z. and Demirkan, H. (2003), “An insight on designers’ sketching activities in traditional versus digital media”, Design Studies, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-694X(02)00032-7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bracewell, R., Wallace, K., Moss, M. and Knott, D. (2009), “Capturing design rationale”, CAD Computer Aided Design, Elsevier, Vol. 41 No. 3, pp. 173–186, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2008.10.005.Google Scholar
Brehmer, M. and Munzner, T. (2013), “A multi-level typology of abstract visualization tasks”, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, Vol. 19 No. 12, pp. 2376–2385, https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2013.124.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bresciani, S. (2019), “Visual Design Thinking: A Collaborative Dimensions framework to profile visualisations”, Design Studies, Elsevier Ltd, Vol. 63, pp. 92–124, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2019.04.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cash, P. and Kreye, M. (2017), “Uncertainty Driven Action (UDA) model: A foundation for unifying perspectives on design activity”, Design Science, Vol. 3, https://doi.org/10.1017/dsj.2017.28.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cash, P., Škec, S. and Štorga, M. (2019), “The dynamics of design: exploring heterogeneity in meso-scale team processes”, Design Studies, Vol. 64, pp. 124–153, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.destud.2019.08.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chandrasegaran, S.K., Ramani, K., Sriram, R.D., Horváth, I., Bernard, A., Harik, R.F. and Gao, W. (2013), “The evolution, challenges, and future of knowledge representation in product design systems”, CAD Computer Aided Design, Vol. 45 No. 2, pp. 204–228, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2012.08.006.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, G. and Dix, A. (2007), “A taxonomy of clutter reduction for information visualisation”, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, Vol. 13 No. 6, pp. 1216–1223, https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2007.70535.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fleming, P.J., Purshouse, R.C. and Lygoe, R.J. (2005), “Many-Objective Optimization: An Engineering Design Perspective”, International Conference on Evolutionary Multi-Criterion Optimization, Springer, Berlin, pp. 14–32, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-31880-4_2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gebhardt, N., Beckmann, G. and Krause, D. (2014), “Visual representation for developing modular product families - Literature review and use in practice”, DESIGN 2014, Vol. 2014-Janua, pp. 183–192.Google Scholar
Gotel, O.C.Z., Marchese, F.T. and Morris, S.J. (2007), “On requirements visualization”, 2nd International Workshop on Requirements Engineering Visualization, REV 2007, No. October 2007, https://doi.org/10.1109/REV.2007.4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guo, C., Chen, Y.V., Miller, C.L., Hartman, N.W., Mueller, A.B. and Connolly, P.E. (2014), “Information visualization for product lifecycle management (PLM) data”, ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition.Google Scholar
Henderson, K. (1998), “On Line and On Paper: Visual Representations, Visual Culture, and Computer Graphics in Design Engineering”, MIT Press Cambridge, MA, USA, p. 256.Google Scholar
Hopf, J.M. and Ovtcharova, J. (2016), “Deeper insights into product development through data visualization techniques”, IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 467, pp. 485–494, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-33111-9_44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hubka, V. and Eder, W.E. (1988), Theory of Technical Systems, Theory of Technical Systems, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-52121-8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huldt, T. and Stenius, I. (2019), “State-of-practice survey of model-based systems engineering”, Systems Engineering, Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 134–145, https://doi.org/10.1002/sys.21466.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Idrissov, A., Parraguez, P. and Maier, A.M. (2019), “Tracing Paths and Connecting Multiple Design Domains: An Information Visualisation Approach to Product Architecture Modelling”, International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED’19), Vol. 1, pp. 3021–3030, https://doi.org/10.1017/dsi.2019.309.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Idrissov, A., Skec, S. and Maier, A.M. (2020), “Visualising Systems: Mapping System Features and Interactive Information Visualisations in Design”, International Design Conference - DESIGN 2020.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Inselberg, A. (1985), “The plane with parallel coordinates”, The Visual Computer, Springer-Verlag, Vol. 1 No. 4, pp. 69–91, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01898350.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keim, D.A. (2002), “Information visualization and visual data mining”, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 1–8, https://doi.org/10.1109/2945.981847.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keller, R., Eger, T., Eckert, C.M. and Clarkson, P.J. (2005), “Visualising Change Propagation”, International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED’05), pp. 1–89.Google Scholar
Konyha, Z., Matković, K. and Hauser, H. (2009), Interactive Visual Analysis in Engineering: A Survey, Proc. Spring Conference on Computer Graphics (SCCG 2009).Google Scholar
Larkin, J.H., Simon, H.A. and Simon, A. (1987), “Why a Diagramm is (Sometimes) Worth Ten Thousand Words”, Cognitive Science, Vol. 11, pp. 65–99, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0364-0213(87)80026-5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liang, J. and Huang, M.L. (2010), “Highlighting in information visualization: A survey”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Visualisation, pp. 79–85, https://doi.org/10.1109/IV.2010.21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maier, A.M., Baltsen, N., Christoffersen, H. and Störrle, H. (2014), “Towards Diagram Understanding: A Pilot-Study Measuring Cognitive Workload Through Eye-Tracking”, Proceedings of International Conference on Human Behaviour in Design 2014, No. October, pp. 1–6.Google Scholar
Munzner, T. (2014), Visualization Analysis & Design, A K Peters/CRC Press, New York, USA, https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119978176.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Plaisant, C., Grosjean, J. and Bederson, B.B. (2002), “SpaceTree: Supporting exploration in large node link tree, design evolution and empirical evaluation”, IEEE Symposium on Information Visualization, pp. 57–64, https://doi.org/10.1109/INFVIS.2002.1173148.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reingold, T. and Fruchterman, E. (1991), “Graph Drawing by Force-Directed Placement”, Software, Practice and Experience, Vol. 21 No. 11, pp. 1129-1164.Google Scholar
Scherr, M. (2008), “Multiple and Coordinated Views in Information Visualization”, Trends in Information Visualization, No. August, p. 38.Google Scholar
Shneiderman, B. (2003), “The Eyes Have It: A Task by Data Type Taxonomy for Information Visualizations”, The Craft of Information Visualization, pp. 364–371, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-155860915-0/50046-9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sim, S.K. and Duffy, A.H.B. (2003), “Towards an ontology of generic engineering design activities”, Research in Engineering Design, Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 200–223, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-003-0037-1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Suwa, M. and Tversky, B. (1997), “What Do Architects and Students Perceive in their Design Sketches? A Protocol Analysis”, Design Studies, Elsevier, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 385–403, http://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-694X(97)00008-2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ware, C. (2012), Information Visualization, Morgan Kaufmann.Google Scholar
Wehrend, S. and Lewis, C. (1990), “Problem-oriented Classification of Visualization Technique”, IEEE Computer Society, pp. 139–143, 46, https://doi.org/10.1109/visual.1990.146375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar