In this design case, a participatory approach to visualizing a complex computational pipeline was adopted, with the goal of exploring what benefits might be derived when groups of people visualize complex information for themselves.
Several visualization artifacts were developed to support collaborative process at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO). Researchers adopted a participatory approach, engaging directly in LIGO activities and drawing together explicitly codified data from the LIGO computational pipeline as well as structural knowledge tacitly held by project scientists. Both sources of information were critical to producing meaningful visualizations and progressing design and research efforts.
This design case revealed several benefits realized when individuals or groups visualize information for themselves, especially improved communication and enhanced understanding of complex systems of information.
This design case demonstrates how cooperatively creating visualizations can enhance understanding and support group activities and goals. It is also a call to move beyond data, technologies, and techniques to introduce more human‐centered approaches within visualization scholarship.
