Applying Graphical Design Techniques to Graph Visualisation

This paper contains details of new criteria for graph layout, based on the concepts used in graphical design. Current graph layout criteria have been shown to be effective in measuring the quality of a graph layout, but they are ad-hoc and often miss subtle appearance considerations such as balance and distribution. We discuss how the principles concerning the layout of text and diagrams from design can be applied to graph layout and show how two new metrics can be implemented based on these criteria. We also give preliminary examples of layout generated using the new metrics.