Colin Ware

Colin Ware is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of New Hampshire. He directs the Data Visualization Research Laboratory and has established himself as a leading researcher in data and information visualization with a strong focus on the perceptual and cognitive aspects of visual representation. His work bridges computer science, cognitive psychology, and design principles to create more effective visualization techniques.

Ware's primary research interests center around how humans perceive visual information and how this knowledge can be applied to create more effective data visualizations. His work spans several key areas including color theory and colormap design, 3D visualization techniques, flow visualization, uncertainty representation, and the cognitive processes involved in visual thinking. He has made significant contributions to understanding how stereoscopic and motion cues affect depth perception in 3D visualizations, and how to design visual representations that align with human perceptual capabilities.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on colormap design and evaluation, with numerous papers examining how different color mapping approaches affect feature detection and discrimination. His work increasingly incorporates perceptual modeling and crowdsourced evaluation methods to develop evidence-based visualization design guidelines. He has also maintained a consistent research thread on 3D flow visualization techniques, particularly for scientific applications in oceanography and meteorology.

Ware has been instrumental in developing the theoretical foundations of information visualization as a discipline that integrates cognitive science with practical design. His influential book 'Information Visualization: Perception for Design' has become a standard reference in the field, emphasizing the importance of understanding human perception when creating effective visual representations of data.

Throughout his career, Ware has mentored numerous graduate students who have gone on to become researchers in visualization and human-computer interaction. His collaborative approach is evident in his extensive publication record, which includes work with researchers across multiple disciplines including oceanography, meteorology, and cognitive science.

His laboratory has developed several innovative visualization techniques including the 'Hairy Slices' method for 3D flow visualization, various approaches to representing uncertainty in geospatial data, and novel techniques for designing effective colormaps for scientific visualization. His current research continues to push the boundaries of how we understand and apply perceptual principles to visualization design problems.