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展示复杂多变量数据的主要技术之一。在小型字形中，数据变量通常以相对较低的视觉和感知精度进行编码。当涉及大量数据变量时，字形设计者需要权衡视觉通道的分配。尽管文献中存在许多成功的字形设计，但目前尚无系统方法帮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一种结构化途径，从多重视角审视字形设计，并提供半定量模板以评估不同设计方案。此外，本研究为未来开展实证研究提供了指导方向，以获取更多可用于MCDA辅助字形设计过程的定量测量指标。