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Autori principali: Varona, Matthew, Hedayati, Maryam, Kay, Matthew, Nobre, Carolina
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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Accesso online:https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.01382
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author Varona, Matthew
Hedayati, Maryam
Kay, Matthew
Nobre, Carolina
author_facet Varona, Matthew
Hedayati, Maryam
Kay, Matthew
Nobre, Carolina
contents "Theory figures" are a staple of theoretical visualization research. Common shapes such as Cartesian planes and flowcharts can be used not only to explain conceptual contributions, but to think through and refine the contribution itself. Yet, theory figures tend to be limited to a set of standard shapes, limiting the creative and expressive potential of visualization theory. In this work, we explore how the shapes used in theory figures afford different understandings and explanations of their underlying phenomena. We speculate on the value of visualizing theories using more expressive configurations, such as icebergs, horseshoes, Möbius strips, and BLT sandwiches. By reflecting on figure-making's generative role in the practice of theorizing, we conclude that theory is, in fact, shapes.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_01382
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Theory is Shapes
Varona, Matthew
Hedayati, Maryam
Kay, Matthew
Nobre, Carolina
Human-Computer Interaction
"Theory figures" are a staple of theoretical visualization research. Common shapes such as Cartesian planes and flowcharts can be used not only to explain conceptual contributions, but to think through and refine the contribution itself. Yet, theory figures tend to be limited to a set of standard shapes, limiting the creative and expressive potential of visualization theory. In this work, we explore how the shapes used in theory figures afford different understandings and explanations of their underlying phenomena. We speculate on the value of visualizing theories using more expressive configurations, such as icebergs, horseshoes, Möbius strips, and BLT sandwiches. By reflecting on figure-making's generative role in the practice of theorizing, we conclude that theory is, in fact, shapes.
title Theory is Shapes
topic Human-Computer Interaction
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.01382