Medialab Prado

When one looks at data visualization-- representations that handle a huge volume of information-- one is faced with the difficulty of attempting to understand complex images. This occurs when one endeavours to interpret static representations but even more so when evolving data are represented. This paper focuses primarily on network visualization and specifically, on projects that are carried out on the Internet, as a means of information dissemination, transmission, or collection.

To understand how and why these networks are represented as they are requires taking a retrospective look at their methods, technologies, and languages. This overview covers disciplines such as topology, as an area of mathematics; software networks; and psychology, particularly sociometry. Several cases will be analyzed in view of how networks are represented and how visual languages and strategies are used, especially the visualization of social networks.