Multisensory Mapping Exploration

Abstract

Last year we presented a conceptual framework for cartographic symbolization that included variables for all the human senses. This year we are exploring the production of maps using variations in olfactory and gustatory stimuli as well as the more developed visual, factual, and aural variables. In this poster we present both qualitative and quantitative choropleth maps, with separate maps targeting each of the five senses. We invite participants to help us evaluate our experimental mapping techniques by viewing, touching, listening to, smelling, or tasting each map. We will ask participants to identify different classes on one set of maps and different quantities on a second set. Participant responses will be analyzed for consistency among responses and distinction among classes as well as the ability to estimate ordinal and perhaps ratio level differences in magnitude. We hope that this evaluation of our exploratory map creation methods gives us insight into multisensory mapping that in the future may be conducted in a computer controlled virtual reality environment.