Would you prefer pie or cupcakes? Preferences for data visualization designs of professionals and laypeople in graphic design

摘要

Data visualizations come in many different forms. In this study we investigated how professionals and laypeople in graphic design rate the attractiveness and clarity of data visualizations differing in construction type (standard or non-standard) and mode of expression (pictorial or abstract). Results showed that graphic designers rate the attractiveness of non-standard and pictorial visualizations higher than standard and abstract ones, whereas the opposite is true for laypeople. As for clarity, both groups prefer standard and abstract visualizations, which is reflected in lower response times. Results also showed that overall graphic designers' evaluations are lower than the evaluations of laypeople.