CS Guest Presentation: Bridging Data and Example-Aided Ideation: A Journey Through Data Visualization Design, Hannah K. Bako, University of Maryland

Abstract:

Automation is transforming how we think, work, and create, offering promises of enhanced creativity and efficiency. Yet, when integrated into design processes without care, automation can lead to unintended consequences for the creative output they generate and the designers who use these systems. Central to addressing this challenge is understanding how designers actually ideate, particularly the critical role of examples as sources of inspiration. Just as AI and ML models learn from training data, designers synthesize ideas from examples to inform their creative workflows. My research explores how designers use existing data visualization examples to form and refine design ideas, revealing patterns that challenge assumptions embedded in current tools, such as the belief that designers always start from a blank canvas. I demonstrate how these findings have informed the development of tools for design retrieval, exploration, and implementation, aligning more closely with designers' real-world practices. Looking ahead, I envision a future where human-AI collaboration drives data visualization co-design, fosters creative ideation, and enables richer, more context-aware data storytelling. In this talk, I will share key insights from my research and discuss how they can pave the way for a more collaborative and user-driven approach to automation in design.

Bio:

Hannah K. Bako is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at the University of Maryland, specializing in human-computer interaction and data visualization. Her research leverages methodologies from cognitive science and design to explore how automation can enhance creativity in data visualization design. She is committed to advancing adaptive, user-centered visualization tools that bridge the gap between AI and design. Her work has been published in leading venues, including IEEE TVCG, IEEE VIS, and ACM IUI. Hannah also brings industry experience from internships at Apple and Tableau (Salesforce), as well as her work as an Android UX Designer. She holds an M.Sc. in Software Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and a B.Sc. in Computer Information Systems from Babcock University.

Faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students interested in AI are encouraged to attend!