Applications of the Document Towers method of representing document structures

Abstract

This article argues in favor of representing the spatial distribution of information within and between documents, by surveying a broad variety of potential applications, including the entire document lifecycle, multiple sensory modalities, and a large spectrum of tasks and users. The theoretical explanations of this richness are a further facet of the article, and can be summarized as follows: (1) insights emerge from focusing on information structure, rather than information meaning; (2) spatializing information creates new information; (3) simplification increases the polyvalence of representation models; (4) introducing mystery in communication channels motivates discovery and diversifies insights; (5) approaching information design as a Gesamtkunstwerk multiplies the applications; (6) information is a manifestation of a link between structures and the actions these enable, while information design is the art and science of creating such links. The argument is developed around the concrete example of a document structure visualization, the Document Towers, which uses the metaphor of architectural models to represent documents.

Improving the Quality Control and Exploration of Digital Documents Using Visualization and Serendipity

“…The Document Towers also have polyvalent uses, so that only a case study specific to one application can be presented here. A survey of potential applications is published separately in [Atanasiu 2022a], as mentioned before.…”

“…It covers multiple document scales, from individual pages and single documents to collections, can address multiple sensory modalities (most notably vision, audition, and touch), and has variable information density, from three-dimensional Document Towers to two-dimensional Ribbons to one-dimensional Chips (Atanasiu & Ingold 2021). Last but not least, the representation has polyvalent application potential beyond quality control (Atanasiu 2022a).…”

“…These representations can further be augmented by color-coded Ribbons, which may be engraved on a physical medium to facilitate document navigation for users with low vision. Other embodiments, such as sound objects, could be useful in special applications (Atanasiu 2022a).…”

“…In addition to document exploration, the Document Towers have an extensive and diverse range of applications, including document overview, navigation, quality control, misclassification detection, document design, representation for readers with low vision, and aesthetic appeal, among many others (Atanasiu 2022a).…”

“…Further reading -The role of exploration and serendipity in libraries, and the digital technologies supporting them has been surveyed by the author in (Atanasiu 2022a, Annex). For technical aspects related to the Document Towers, the rationale of its design paradigm, its technological and cultural background, and the utility of document structure representation in a multifarious range of applications, the reader may refer to the author's dedicated publications (Atanasiu 2022a;Atanasiu and Ingold 2021).…”