Conclusion
Discussion and Future Directions
This thesis explores the hypothesis that designers, as visual representation specialists, can catalyze novel moments of insight for researchers by visualizing, translating, distilling, and interpreting abstract data or models into concrete forms which allow researchers to see their data in a new way. through four design practice studies, in four different contexts of research, I have employed what I see as the skills of a designer to assist in the exploration, testing, and definition of new knowledge.
In 2019, research outlined in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s continuing reports demonstrates a clear need for action based on clear scientific understanding. The report describes incontrovertible evidence that anthropogenic impacts have already impacted human as well as natural land and ocean ecosystems and the critical services which they provide for our species. As well, these impacts are certain to become worse over the next century (CITATION). It is my hope that this thesis illuminates a rich and rewarding territory for exploration, in which designers can help move scientist toward deeper insight and novel discovery, as well as welcome the public into a new understanding of science.
I have discovered and described four pathways through this territory. Making visualizations harmonious with the thinking of planetary geologists enabled them to answer the true core questions that they had in design Practice Study One. Creating a concrete visual representation of global fisheries data enabled Brown University policy researchers to see anomalies which were previously undetected and drive their inquiry in a fruitful direction in Practice Study Two. Applying motion and time based animations to the NASA VIIRS wildfire data set reveals human and environmental stories which were previously hidden in Practice Study Three. Through multi-modal research probes a stable workflow and thought pattern for exploratory research was demonstrated to NASA climate scientists which catalyzes new paper topics in massively reduced time compared to current methods in my Primary Case Study: MERLIN. Additionally, leveraging the power of three dimensional motion-based visualization of wildfires produces experiences which convey the power and urgency of our rapidly transforming world. Taken in total, these works of recursive visualization suggest strongly that designers have a key role to play on scientific research teams, both in catalyzing novel discovery, and in conveying these discoveries to the public.
