Outline

The book consists of 15 chapters:

Chapter 1 presents an overview and history of visualization and its connection with computer graphics.

Chapter 2 provides the foundations and characteristics of data, which forms the beginning of the visualization pipeline.

Chapter 3 explores the human component of the visualization pipeline, with descriptions of the perceptual system and the roles it plays in understanding and interpreting visualizations.

Chapter 4 deals with the foundations of the visualization processes, from basic building blocks to taxonomies and frameworks.

Chapters 5 through 10 cover a wide gamut of visualization techniques, loosely grouped by data characteristics, describing the methods and algorithms used to map data to graphical depictions.

Chapters 11 and 12 describe the role of user interaction within visualizations, and presents a wide range of interaction techniques and styles.

Chapters 13 and 14 discuss the visualization design process, presenting principles and guidelines to improve the effectiveness of specific visualizations, as well as techniques for evaluating the resulting visualizations.

Chapter 15 reviews a variety of available visualization systems, identifying key features and observed limitations.

Chapter 16 touches on directions for future work for those wishing to advance their knowledge of the field beyond what is covered in this book.