Knowledge Visualization of Earthquake: Impact of Design Format on Readers' Perception and Understanding

Abstract: To strengthen the seismic intensity and differentiate adaptations to earthquakes in Taiwan, the Central Weather Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications subdivided the original seismic intensity of 5 Strong and 6 Violent earthquakes of the Seismic Intensity Scale into 5 Lower and 5 Upper, 6 Lower and 6 Upper respectively in 2020.First, we collected 28 infographics from domestic and overseas governmental and private institutions and stock image websites using earthquake intensity as the keyword. Three researchers with design backgrounds classified the infographics into three kinds of types for experimentation: 1) a single-color gradient (semi-circular car dashboard) with an illustration of a cabinet or a house; 2) a 3D geometry (horseshoe type) with illustrations of people and scenes inside and outside the house; 3) a traditional table (horizontal type) with an illustration of a house. The text descriptions of the three infographics were the same. Sixteen respondents (10 of whom had 5-year design background) read through the three infographics sequentially and did a 7-Point Likert Scale Questionnaire. The questions included design form (format, logic, and clarity of information), perception and understanding (distinguishing seismic hazards, perceiving intensity differences, and rapid understanding), risk perception, and personal preference. Finally, semi-structured interviews were to gain a deeper understanding of what factors influence readers' priorities in reading the earthquake intensity infographics.This study found that: 1) a semi-circle speed gauge with one color gradient using light to dark orange had the highest perception and understanding score (mean = 5.19); 2) 3D geometry with horseshoe shape with illustrations and information richness had the highest design form score (mean = 5.13) and highest personal preference ranking; 3) formatting tables with stereotypical image and only one house illustration could not determine the difference had the lowest design form score (mean = 4.65) and lowest perception and understanding score (mean = 4.93) and lowest personal preference ranking. The lowest scores for design form (mean = 4.65), perception and understanding (mean = 4.93), and personal preference were the lowest. In addition, 80% of the respondents were concerned about earthquakes and prepared for them, but more than half would not evacuate quickly during an earthquake. Suggestions for the future are that the earthquake infographics could use color gradients and 3D geometry so that the public can differentiate the danger in different intensity scales.

Keywords: Infographics, Intensity Scale, Perception and Understanding

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1003221

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