Visual Momentum

Synonyms

Visual continuity

Definition

In human computer interaction, the concept of visual momentum is used to measure how visual scene transitions impact the users ability in extracting and integrating information across multiple displays.

Main Text

The concept of Visual Momentum was first introduced in perception and cinematography. It refers to the impact of a transition from one scene to another on the cognitive processes of an observer. Particularly visual momentum is used to describe the impact on the observer’s ability to extract task relevant information. The concept was later used in the area of Human Computer Interaction (HCI). In HCI, the amount of visual momentum supported by a display system is inversely proportional to the mental effort required to integrate a new display into the context of the overall information space and the user’s information needs.

Cross-References

• Information Presentation, Dynamic