Animated transitions in statistical data graphics
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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

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Published on: March 31, 2023
Jeffrey Heer1, George Robertson
1Computer Science Division, University of California, Berkeley, USA. jheer@cs.berkeley.edu
Abstract:
In this paper we investigate the effectiveness of animated transitions between common statistical data graphics such as bar charts, pie charts, and scatter plots. We extend theoretical models of data graphics to include such transitions, introducing a taxonomy of transition types. We then propose design principles for creating effective transitions and illustrate the application of these principles in DynaVis, a visualization system featuring animated data graphics. Two controlled experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of various transition types, finding that animated transitions can significantly improve graphical perception.
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