Source-linked AI summary
Exploring 3D Glyph Physicalizations for Public Engagement through River Health
Maria Teresa Ortoleva, Min Chen, Rita Borgo, Alfie Abdul-Rahman
TL;DR
Complex river-health data can be difficult for non-technical audiences to engage with, and the paper explores 3D glyph physicalization as a hands-on approach. Its prototype is reported to help users digest complex information and track concepts and steps while exploring the data.
Problem
Complex river-health data challenge public engagement, and 3D glyphs have not been directly explored as physicalizations for non-technical audiences.
Source: §1 · p. 1, §2.1 · p. 2Method
Results
In prototyping, the template helped users digest complex information and keep track of concepts and steps while exploring different data angles.
Source: §5 · p. 5Takeaways & Limitations
The authors present the toolkit as an opportunity to scaffold cognitive exploration while incorporating personal experience and emotion into river-health data.
Source: §7 · p. 6
Abstract
from arXiv · showhide
Introduction: In this paper, we present the preliminary design of a toolkit for making glyph-based physicalizations for public engagement. We use London river health data as a case study: a data set of significance to urban issues related to climate change and of interest to draw public attention, as part of the Greater London Authority's strategies. Design: We present the components of a 3D glyph-making toolkit, its encodings, and a step-by-step process for crafting a physicalization of a river's water quality using recycled materials. We reason about how users can use the template to learn about a data set while reflecting on the data's significance to their personal experience and self-mapping onto the physicalization. Reflection: We reflect on the opportunities that extending the design space of glyphs to 3D physicalization offers for supporting public engagement with complex, multi-dimensional data sets, scaffolding cognitive processes, and self-reflection, thereby bringing crucial environmental data to life. Conclusion: Future implementation of the 3D glyph template will enable the public of all abilities to explore river health data, physicalize complexity, and realize its relevance. We hope that its use in public engagement workshops will help raise awareness, invite care, and foster a sense of belonging.
1 Introduction
The paper proposes a preliminary 3D glyph physicalization toolkit to engage the public with complex London river-health data. It frames hands-on exploration and personal reflection as ways to make environmental data more approachable and relevant.
Motivation
- London’s river-health data matter to climate adaptation and the GLA’s plans for cleaner water, blue-space access, biodiversity, and community engagement.The authors note that public data access alone may not make these data known or meaningful to audiences.Source: §1 · pp. 1–2
Research gap
- River-quality data are complex, and 3D glyphs have not been directly explored for physicalization with non-technical audiences.The paper identifies this as a challenge for public engagement and physicalization.Source: §1 · p. 2
Contribution
- The preliminary toolkit is designed to help people explore complex environmental data while connecting it to personal experience and emotional response.Its proposed template maps to London river health and is intended for varied groups and learning contexts.Source: §1 · p. 2
Planned trial
- The authors aim to trial the toolkit during London Data Week 2026, a Greater London Authority event promoting data for everyone in London.Source: §1 · p. 2
2 Related Work
The related work frames glyphs as compact visual forms for representing multidimensional data and physicalization as a hands-on route to public engagement. The paper positions 3D glyph physicalization as a way to combine data exploration with personal connection.
2.1 Glyph Data Visualizations
- Glyphs combine visual channels and signs to represent complex, multidimensional records in forms intended to be readily perceived by lay users.They may be abstract or illustrative, using symbols and metaphors that resonate with the data.Source: §2.1 · p. 2
- Glyphs are commonly studied in graphic visualization, while the 3D glyph as an encoded physical structure has not been directly explored in data physicalization research.Source: §2.1 · p. 2
2.2 Data Physicalization and Public Engagement
- Data physicalization encodes data through an artifact’s geometry or material properties, and hands-on making can make data more graspable.Physicalization spans everyday objects, crafts, and displays, and can support embodied cognition, reflection, and emotional connection.Source: §2.2 · p. 2
- Workshops can make complex data and representational principles more concrete, while collective crafting and reflection can support community and social interaction.Toolkits can also support independent reflective work, and public physicalization can create opportunities for participation.Source: §2.2 · p. 2
- The proposed environmental-data approach combines cognitive exploration with self-mapping to help participants connect data to personal experience and belonging.The authors aim for participants to explore an external data set, think critically, and recognize its personal relevance.Source: §2.2 · pp. 2–3
3 The Data Set
The paper selects London’s River Health Map as a publicly accessible case study, focusing on river-catchment context and factors associated with pollution risk. It motivates participatory physicalization as a way to connect technical information with people’s local experience.
Case-study data
- The River Health Map covers river quality throughout the Thames basin in Greater London and links to resources about factors influencing water quality.The data selection followed consultation with GLA data experts.Source: §3 · p. 3
Data characteristics
- The explored variables include catchment and land characteristics, river-care organizations, public access, renovations, sewer types, road runoff, discharge, misconnections, and improvement works.Source: §3 · p. 3
Engagement rationale
- The authors argue that technical map data may remain disconnected from Londoners’ daily experience, motivating participatory 3D glyph physicalizations.They aim to support learning about rivers, quality improvement, and belonging.Source: §3 · p. 3
4 Designing a 3D Glyph Toolkit
The toolkit uses a fish-like slot-in structure and recycled, accessible materials to physicalize river-health variables. Prompts guide data exploration, while personalization and spatial display invite reflection and comparison.
Shape and slot-in grammar
- The glyph’s fish-like core, head, tail, fins, and scales give its geometric structure a semantic connection to the water-themed data.The components attach to a central core using a slot-in construction approach.Source: §4 · p. 3
Toolkit components
- A paper-tube body and corrugated-cardboard attachments encode data through component category, size, ending shape, and color-coded additions.The toolkit also provides flaps and tape strips for secondary specifications, plus pens for annotations.Source: §4 · p. 3
Materials
- The prototype uses recycled cardboard, colored paper, tape, and pens chosen to be sustainable, inexpensive, and easy to source and craft.The authors suggest repurposing household waste such as toilet rolls, delivery boxes, or cereal boxes.Source: §4 · p. 3
Data mapping
- Prompts guide users through River Health data and linked resources, scaffolding learning and reflection as they encode river characteristics in a glyph.The authors describe the encoding steps and a Ravensbourne River example in Table 1 and Figure 1.Source: §4 · p. 3
Personalization and display
- Participants can add personal annotations and emotional evaluations, then place finished glyphs on a hanging display or a London-rivers map for comparison.The collective display is intended to support sharing, reflection, and belonging.Source: §4 · pp. 3–4
Toolkit overview
- Figure 2 presents the toolkit components alongside an example physicalization with its encodings explained.Source: Figure 2 · p. 4
5 Reflection
The reflection frames 3D glyphs as a way to represent complex data through added spatial and material channels while supporting stepwise exploration and personal reflection. The template connects data discovery with participants’ experiences, annotations, and emotional responses.
Initiating Exploration of the Design Space of 3D Glyphs
- 3D glyphs add third-dimensional and material encoding channels that can distribute information and reduce clutter, but require turning and examining the object for incremental reading.Unlike a 2D glyph, a 3D glyph cannot be fully seen at a glance.Source: §5 · p. 4
Public Engagement Contribution
- The proposed glyph-based engagement combines in-depth data discovery with personal identification, using signs and symbols as an accessible mode of communication.The paper presents this approach as promising across cultural boundaries, social barriers, and varying levels of technical expertise.Source: §5 · p. 4
Scaffolding Cognition, Learning, and Critical Thinking over a Complex Data Set
- Table 1 links steps for exploring River Health data with personal reflection, corresponding physicalization actions, and an example.Source: Table 1 · p. 5
- The template helps users digest complex information, track concepts and steps, and break exploration into small cognitive steps and physicalizing actions.The reflection contrasts this with physical constraints often associated with physicalizations [14].Source: §5 · p. 5
Integrating Self-Mapping, Personal Reflection, and Emotional Connection to the Data
- The template prompts participants to connect external data with personal experience, using annotations and emojis to support reflection on habits and emotional responses to river health.Annotations support a dialogue between participants and the data about their habits and behavior in relation to blue spaces.Source: §5 · p. 6
6 Prospected Work
The next step is to deploy the prototype in a London Data Week 2026 public-engagement workshop. The authors also envision adapting the kit for different audiences, materials, and settings.
6 Prospected Work
- The authors plan a London Data Week 2026 workshop and expect to observe how the public creates river-health glyphs.Source: §6 · p. 6
- The planned evaluation will examine effects on learning about river health, understanding climate change’s effects on Londoners, awareness, responsible attitudes, belonging, and community.Source: §6 · p. 6
- Future variants may change materials, size, and personalization while retaining the slot-in grammar and fish-like structure for different audiences and contexts.Source: §6 · p. 6
- Envisioned uses include school activities with repurposed domestic waste and self-led activities in libraries, socials, and community centers.Source: §6 · p. 6
7 Conclusion
The paper presents a prototype of 3D glyph physicalizations for public engagement with London river-health data. It identifies cognitive exploration and personal connection as opportunities, with hopes of fostering belonging and care for blue spaces.
7 Conclusion
- The paper presents a design and prototype of 3D glyph physicalizations for public engagement with London river-health data.Source: §7 · p. 6
- The authors identify opportunities for 3D glyphs to scaffold exploration of complex data while incorporating users’ personal experience and emotion.Source: §7 · p. 6
- The template is expected to foster connection to and belonging in blue spaces, encouraging care in the wake of climate change.Source: §7 · p. 6