Combining Text and Visuals for Effective Data Communication
Data visualizations are increasingly common and can be found in a variety of places: news articles, policy reports, and scientific papers, to name a few. While much of visualization research has evaluated visual elements and design choices like marks, colors, and chart type, the use of text in data communication has been largely overlooked.
This talk presents a dissertation that systematically investigates the role of text in information visualizations from both reader and designer perspectives, drawing on pre-registered crowdsourced studies with quantitative analyses as well as semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that readers consistently prefer text-rich visualizations and that text shapes what readers notice and take away from a visualization. The dissertation also introduces a framework of ten text functions and four common design patterns found in real-world visualizations, identifies six persistent challenges practitioners face when working with text, and explores the use of writing as part of the design process. Together, these findings challenge long-standing assumptions within visualization research and practice that favor visual minimalism or treat text as secondary.
Across the board, results demonstrate that text is foundational to how visualizations are experienced, understood, and evaluated, with implications for designers, researchers, and anyone who engages with data in written or visual formats.
This lecture will also be live streamed via Zoom. You are welcome to join us either in South Hall or online.
For online participants
Online participants must have a Zoom account and be logged in. Sign up for your free account here. If this is your first time using Zoom, please allow a few extra minutes to download and install the browser plugin or mobile app.
Speaker
Chase Stokes
Chase Stokes completed his Ph.D. in information science in December 2025, with dissertation research examining how text shapes the way people interpret and evaluate data visualizations. He is now a data scientist at Morningstar, where he develops tools that draw on diverse and unstructured data sources to communicate complex financial information. His work is designed to meet the needs of different audiences and goals, from clients to internal research teams. His dissertation research and current role are united by a shared focus on clear and effective data communication.
Contact
If you have questions about this event, please contact Inessa Gelfenboym Lee.
Getting to South Hall
Accessibility
If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting, CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) or information about mobility access in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Heather Rapp with as much advance notice as possible and at least 7–10 days in advance of the event.
