The site introduces the framework of interaction design patterns to support collaborative data visualization in social web environments. It takes an object-centered approach to the network (as opposed to an ego centered one) and discusses the following interaction design patterns.

Mapping - help people to choose the most appropriate way to visualize a dataset

Decoration - help people to attach visual meaning and identity to a visualization so that it can exist within an object centered social space and its meaning can be quickly transferred to others

Tweakability - give people a way of shifting and reformatting a data visualization so that they can make sense of the whole data set by understanding how it responds to dynamic changes

Annotation - help people to comment on, or draw attention to specific elements of a visualization without compromising legibility of that visualization

Snapshot - help people to be able to store ‘snapshots’ of the visualization in order to communicate their understanding of a specific visualization configuration

so, have a look : we’d love to know what you think!

The Loupe Project is engaged with a partner in the financial services sector and is looking at how collaborative visualisation spaces can be used to improve workflow, promote knowledge management within organisations and help companies to engage in conversations with their clients.

Over the past year we’ve been conducting research into visualisation techniques that can be used in social spaces, the informational affordances of different social environments, how knowledge management is achieved within these environments, how knowledge management processes impact on worflow. We’ve also looked at sensemaking, learning histories and social networking theories as well.

Along the way we’ve also touched on different design approaches such as ecological interface design, user centered design and user experience design, all from an interaction design point of view.

This blog will be the forum to begin the process of synthesising some of the research we have conducted into findings and presenting the initial stages of these to you. So if you have an interest in this area, it’s a great time to get involved - we would be very appreciative of any comments or contributions you could make to the content on this site.

An easy way to keep up with our activities is to follow us on Twitter.