Abstract
Graphics, such as maps, have been used since ancient times
to portray things that are inherently visual. More recently,
graphics such as diagrams and graphs, have been used to
portray things that are metaphorically spatio-visual. The
assumption is that graphics facilitate comprehension,
learning, memory, and inference. Assumptions aside,
research on static graphics has shown that only carefully
designed and appropriate graphics prove to be beneficial.
Despite enthusiasm for animated graphics, the research
reviewed here on their efficacy is not encouraging. In cases
where animated graphics seemed superior to static ones,
scrutiny of the actual stimuli revealed that the animated
graphics conveyed more information, especially about the
microsteps between larger steps. Lack of benefit from
animations of events may be because animations are difficult
to perceive and because events are often conceived of as
sequences of discrete steps. Overall, this analysis suggests
two principles, Apprehension and Expression, for successful
animated graphics, though these principles do not guarantee
that animated graphics will be superior to equivalent static
ones.