Glyph-based visualization is one of the main techniques for visualizing complex multivariate data. With small glyphs, data variables are typically encoded with relatively low visual and perceptual precision. Glyph designers have to contemplate the trade-offs in allocating visual channels when there is a large number of data variables. While there are many successful glyph designs in the literature, there is not yet a systematic method for assisting visualization designers to evaluate different design options that feature different types of trade-offs. In this paper, we present an evaluation scheme based on the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology. The scheme provides designers with a structured way to consider their glyph designs from a range of perspectives, while rendering a semi-quantitative template for evaluating different design options. In addition, this work provides guideposts for future empirical research to obtain more quantitative measurements that can be used in MCDA-aided glyph design processes.

翻译：基于字形的可视化是呈现复杂多变量数据的主要技术之一。在使用小型字形时，数据变量通常以相对较低的视觉和感知精度进行编码。当数据变量数量庞大时，字形设计者必须在视觉通道分配中权衡取舍。尽管文献中存在许多成功的字形设计案例，但目前仍缺乏系统化的方法来辅助可视化设计者评估具有不同权衡特征的设计方案。本文提出了一种基于多准则决策分析（MCDA）方法的评估框架。该框架为设计者提供了结构化途径，使其能够从多角度审视字形设计，同时构建用于评估不同设计方案的半定量模板。此外，本研究为未来实证研究提供了指引方向，以获取可用于MCDA辅助字形设计流程的定量化测量指标。