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A crowding model of visual clutter
Ronald van den Berg1, Frans W Cornelissen, Jos B T M Roerdink
1Institute of Mathematics and Computing Science and School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Groningen, 9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands. r.van.den.berg@rug.nl
Journal of Vision
|September 18, 2009
Summary
Visual clutter, often caused by high information density, degrades user performance. This study links visual clutter to the "crowding" phenomenon, suggesting crowding
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Visual Perception
- Information Visualization
Background:
- High information density and chaotic layouts create visual clutter, hindering search and interpretation.
- Previous research identified computable correlates of clutter, but the perceptual basis remains unclear.
- Clutter negatively impacts task performance in information visualizations and interface design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the visual perception phenomenon of crowding and visual clutter.
- To test the hypothesis that crowding is a key component of perceived clutter.
- To develop and validate a computational model for predicting visual clutter based on crowding.
Main Methods:
- Developed an algorithm to predict visual clutter by estimating perceptual impairment due to crowding.
- Verified the model's ability to reproduce existing crowding data.
- Assessed the model's predictive power against subjective clutter ratings and search task performance.
Main Results:
- The developed algorithm successfully predicted visual clutter in arbitrary images.
- Model predictions showed strong correlations with subjective assessments of clutter.
- The model also accurately predicted user search performance in cluttered visual scenes.
Conclusions:
- Crowding, a phenomenon in visual perception, is a significant factor contributing to perceived visual clutter.
- The developed crowding-based model effectively predicts visual clutter and its impact on performance.
- Findings suggest a close relationship between crowding and clutter, opening new research directions for interface design and information visualization.
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