I am an expert in the field of information visualization, a practice that brings together data analysis, software development, HCI / UX methods, and design.

My open-source visualization work can seen and used online and in Microsoft's Power BI. I have spoken about my work at venues such as OpenVisConf, IEEE VIS, and ACM CHI, and I have published several papers about my work in IEEE Transactions on Visualization & Computer Graphics, the top visualization journal.

Matthew Brehmer, Data Visualization Researcher

expertise

visualization and interface design

Designing and developing visualization tools and techniques for analyzing and presenting data.

examples: Timeline Storyteller, Portfolio Sandbox, SoundConsensus

quantitative human factors research

Designing experiments to understand human capabilities with respect to perception, attention, and interaction; identifying implications for interface and visualization design.

examples: IEEE VIS 2018, CHI 2012, WorldHaptics 2011

qualitative human factors research

Evaluating existing data visualization processes, work-in-progress designs, and deployed systems via work domain analyses, think-aloud protocols, and chauffeured demos.

examples: IEEE VIS 2014, BELIV 2014

publications

A Comparative Evaluation of Animation and Small Multiples for Trend Visualization on Mobile Phones

Matthew Brehmer, Bongshin Lee, Petra Isenberg, and Eun Kyoung Choe
To appear in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2019).

journal paper (arxiv pre-print) | github repository

Critical Reflections on Visualization Authoring Systems

Arvind Satyanarayan, Bongshin Lee, Donghao Ren, Jeffrey Heer, John Stasko, John R. Thompson, Matthew Brehmer, and Zhicheng Liu
To appear in IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2019).

journal paper (pre-print coming soon)

DataToon: Drawing Dynamic Network Comics With Pen + Touch Interaction

Nam Wook Kim, Nathalie Henry Riche, Benjamin Bach, Guanpeng A. Xu, Matthew Brehmer, Ken Hinckley, Michel Pahud, Haijun Xia, Michael McGuffin, and Hanspeter Pfister
In proceedings of the 2019 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

conference paper (pre-print)

Timeline Storyteller: The Design & Deployment of an Interactive Authoring Tool for Expressive Timeline Narratives

Matthew Brehmer, Bongshin Lee, Nathalie Henry Riche, David Tittsworth, Kate Lytvynets, Darren Edge, and Christopher White
In Proceedings of the 2019 Computation + Journalism Symposium.

symposium paper (pre-print) | github repository

Visualizing Ranges over Time on Mobile Phones: A Task-Based Crowdsourced Evaluation

Matthew Brehmer, Bongshin Lee, Petra Isenberg, and Eun Kyoung Choe
In Volume 25, Issue 1 (Jan. 2019) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2018).

journal paper (pre-print) | ieee library | github repository

Charticulator: Interactive Construction of Bespoke Chart Layouts

Donghao Ren, Bongshin Lee, and Matthew Brehmer
In Volume 25, Issue 1 (Jan. 2019) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2018).
Best Paper Honorable Mention Award

journal paper (pre-print) | ieee library | charticulator.com

Reflecting on the Evaluation of Visualization Authoring Systems

Donghao Ren, Bongshin Lee, Matthew Brehmer, and Nathalie Henry Riche
In the workshop proceedings of BELIV 2018: Evaluation and Beyond - Methodological Approaches for Visualization.

pre-print

What's the Difference?: Evaluating Variants of Multi-Series Bar Charts for Visual Comparison Tasks

Arjun Srinivasan, Matthew Brehmer, Bongshin Lee, and Steven Drucker
In the proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

conference paper (pre-print) | acm library

Data Visualization on Mobile Devices

Bongshin Lee, Matthew Brehmer, Eun Kyoung Choe, Petra Isenberg, Ricardo Langer, and Raimund Dachselt
Workshop abstract in the extended abstract proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

extended abstract (pre-print) | acm library | mobilevis.github.io

Evaluating Data-Driven Stories & Storytelling Tools

Fereshteh Amini^*, Matthew Brehmer^*, Gordon Bolduan, Christina Elmer, and Benjamin Wiederkehr ( ^* equal contribution )
A chapter in Data-Driven Storytelling, a book edited by Nathalie Henry Riche, Christophe Hurter, Nicholas Diakopoulos, and Sheelagh Carpendale, 2018.

book link | book chapter abstract

Demonstrating the Value of Visualization: Highlights from the 2017 PacificVis Visual Data Storytelling Contest

Matthew Brehmer, Kyungwon Lee, Ivan Viola, Jinwook Seo, and Bongshin Lee.
Poster at IEEE VIS 2017.

poster | abstract | video preview

Timelines Revisited: A Design Space and Considerations for Expressive Storytelling

Matthew Brehmer, Bongshin Lee, Benjamin Bach, Nathalie Henry Riche, and Tamara Munzner
In Volume 23, Issue 9 (Sept. 2017) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics.

journal paper | ieee library | timelinesrevisited.github.io

ChartAccent: Annotation for Data-Driven Storytelling

Donghao Ren, Matthew Brehmer, Bongshin Lee, Tobias Höllerer, and Eun Kyoung Choe
In proceedings of the 2017 IEEE PacificVis Symposium.

conference paper | ieee library | chartaccent.github.io

Why Visualization? Task Abstraction for Analysis and Design

Matthew Brehmer
University of British Columbia PhD Dissertation (April, 2016).

dissertation (ubc library)

Matches, Mismatches, and Methods: Multiple-View Workflows for Energy Portfolio Analysis

Matthew Brehmer, Jocelyn Ng, Kevin Tate, and Tamara Munzner
In Volume 22, Issue 1 (Jan. 2016) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2015).

journal paper | ieee library

TimeLineCurator: Interactive Authoring of Visual Timelines from Unstructured Text

Johanna Fulda, Matthew Brehmer, and Tamara Munzner
In Volume 22, Issue 1 (Jan. 2016) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2015).

journal paper | video | video preview | ieee library | timelinecurator.org

C-TOC (Cognitive Testing on Computer): Investigating the Usability and Validity of a Novel Self-administered Cognitive Assessment Tool in Aging and Early Dementia

Claudia Jacova, Joanna McGrenere, Hyunsoo S. Lee, William Wang, Sarah Le Huray, Emily F. Corenblith, Matthew Brehmer, Charlotte Tang, Sherri Hayden, B. Lynn Beattie, and Ging-Yuek R. Hsiung
In Volume 29, Issue 3 (July 2015) of Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders.

journal paper (wolters kluwer health library)

Overview: The Design, Adoption, and Analysis of a Visual Document Mining Tool For Investigative Journalists

Matthew Brehmer, Stephen Ingram, Jonathan Stray, and Tamara Munzner.
In Volume 20, Issue 12 (Dec. 2014) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2014).

journal paper | ieee library

Visualizing Dimensionally-Reduced Data: Interviews with Analysts and a Characterization of Task Sequences

Matthew Brehmer, Michael Sedlmair, Stephen Ingram, and Tamara Munzner
In proceedings of the 2014 ACM BELIV Workshop (Beyond Time and Errors: Novel Evaluation Methods for Visualization).

workshop paper | acm library

Pre-Design Empiricism for Information Visualization: Scenarios, Methods, and Challenges

Matthew Brehmer, Sheelagh Carpendale, Bongshin Lee, and Melanie Tory.
In proceedings of the 2014 ACM BELIV Workshop (Beyond Time and Errors: Novel Evaluation Methods for Visualization).

workshop paper | acm library

A Multi-Level Typology of Abstract Visualization Tasks

Matthew Brehmer and Tamara Munzner
In Volume 19, Issue 12 (Dec. 2013) of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (IEEE VIS 2013).

journal paper | ieee library

Dimensionality Reduction in the Wild: Gaps and Guidance

Michael Sedlmair, Matthew Brehmer, Stephen Ingram, and Tamara Munzner
University of British Columbia Technical Report TR-2012-03 (2012).

technical report

Investigating Interruptions in the Context of Computerised Cognitive Testing for Older Adults

Matthew Brehmer, Joanna McGrenere, Charlotte Tang, and Claudia Jacova
In proceedings of the 2012 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI).

conference paper | acm library

Usability and the Effects of Interruption in C-TOC: Self-Administered Cognitive Testing on a Computer

Matthew Brehmer
University of British Columbia MSc Thesis (2011).

msc thesis

A Tale of Two Studies: Investigating the Impact of Interruptions on Task Performance in Older Adults

Matthew Brehmer, Charlotte Tang, Joanna McGrenere, and Claudia Jacova
In the work-in-progress proceedings of the the 2011 GRAND NCE AGM.

work-in-progress paper

The Haptic Crayola Effect: Exploring the Role of Naming in Learning Haptic Stimuli

Inwook Hwang, Karon MacLean, Matthew Brehmer, Jeff Hendy, Andreas Sotirkopoulos, and Seungmoon Choi
In proceedings of the 2011 IEEE World Haptics Conference.

conference paper | ieee library

Activate Your GAIM: A Toolkit for Input in Active Games

Matthew Brehmer, T.C. Nicholas Graham, and Tadeusz Stach
In proceedings of the 2010 ACM Future Play Conference.

conference paper | acm library | developer guide

Classifying Input for Active Games

Tadeusz Stach, T.C. Nicholas Graham, Matthew Brehmer, and Andreas Hollatz
In proceedings of the 2009 ACM Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology (ACE) Conference.

conference paper | acm library

Assessing the Effect of Exercise Intensity on Cognitive Task Performance in an Exercise Video Game

Matthew Brehmer
Queen's University B.Comp Thesis (2009).

bcomp thesis