Abstract

ELLI, Tommaso. Supporting Literary Criticism with Data Visualization: Four Design Guidelines for Facilitating Interdisciplinary Collaborations. Revista Convergências [online]. 2023, vol.16, n.32, pp.152-163.  Epub Dec 31, 2023. ISSN 2184-0180.  https://doi.org/10.53681/c1514225187514391s.32.215.

The application of data visualization in the context of literary criticism opened promising research directions but may raise frictions due to the involvement of different traditions and approaches. Visualizations are commonly designed to promote a “view from nowhere” and appear objective, transparent, and factual. Literary criticism, instead, valorizes individual viewpoints and interpretations. The article presents an inquiry based on Action Research, Participant Observation, and Structured Interviews to explore and mitigate divergencies between core data visualization methodologies and literary criticism. After describing the identified divergencies, the article proposes four guidelines to orient designers’ work in creating visualizations in support of literary inquiries. The proposed guidelines are (1) embed situatedness, (2) negotiate elusive concepts, (3) use overview as a companion, and (4) support thinking with visual manipulation.

Keywords : Information Design; Data Visualization; Digital Humanities; Literary Criticism; Italo Calvino.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )