Vertigo Zoom: Combining Relational and Temporal Perspectives on Dynamic Networks

A well-designed visualization of dynamic networks has to support the analysis of both temporal and relational features at once. In particular to solve complex synoptic tasks, the users need to understand the topological structure of the network, its evolution over time, and possible interdependencies. In this paper, we introduce the application of the vertigo zoom interaction technique, derived from filmmaking, to information visualizations. When applied to a two-and-a-half-dimensional view, this interaction technique enables smooth transitions between the relational perspective (node-link diagrams and scatter plots) and the time perspective (trajectories and line charts), supporting a seamless visual analysis and preserving the user's mental map.