An ergonomical approach to Berlin's method of graphically displaying multivariate data

This paper, first presented at the Information design conference in December 1986, discusses Bertin's method of displaying numerical data by means of an interactive graphical matrix. In the study the need for empirical verification of theoretical statements is stressed. The ergonomical approach that is chosen for this purpose is subdivided into three major stages: visual perception, motor operations and cognitive information processing. The subject of this paper is mainly restricted to the first stage of visual perception, which is elaborated through some psychophysical experiments concerning the shape and size of symbols that are suited to be used as matrix elements.