We are happy to announce that our paper “Untangling Rhetoric, Pathos, and Aesthetics in Data Visualization” was accepted to IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG). Verena Prantl will present this work at this year’s IEEE VIS conference in Boston.
In this paper, we provide a conceptual and historical synthesis of rhetoric, pathos (emotional appeal within rhetoric), and aesthetics, and examine how these concepts shape the design and interpretation of data visualizations. While visualizations are often seen as neutral and objective, design choices actively influence meaning, interpretation, and emotional response. Although recent research has explored affect, its connection to rhetorical and aesthetic theory remains underdeveloped.
Read more on the Talking Charts blog.