Understanding and predicting the affordances of visual logics
Jim Burton, Peter Coppin · University of Brighton Repository (University of Brighton) · 2012
Abstract. We compare the affordances of two visual logics, one from the Euler family of notations, spider diagrams, and one which takes a significantly different approach to representing logical concepts, existential graphs. We identify strengths and weaknesses of each notation and present these features as being related to the idea that each notation is, to a greater or lesser degree, biased towards objects or predicates, and that such biases make a notation more or less effective in a given context. We then introduce a framework for understanding and predicting those affordances, which can help guide us towards better use of existing graphical notations and the design of more effective new notations. The framework links research in semiotics and linguistics with insights provided by the HCI and diagrams communities. 1