Knowledge-Based Design of Graphical Responses

Articulate graphics systems choose the most effective form of presentation of data rather than being tools forcing users to design graphics themselves. An architecture for a graphic response designer is proposed which clearly separates the graphical design knowledge from knowledge of the user, current task, application and dialogue context which are required to tailor responses. Without this division the graphic response designer cannot be a portable module and will duplicate resources available elsewhere in an intelligent interface. Graphical design rules derived from design practice are described as well as the method for integrating these with the supporting knowledge. An example intelligent interface incorporating a graphic response designer in conjunction with natural language output is described. The problems of updating the graphic design knowledge and evaluating the demonstrator are considered. KEYWORDS: Articulate Graphics, Intelligent Interfaces, User Modelling, Automatic Gr..