Similarity-Based Visualization for Image Browsing Revisited

We investigate whether users' visual search performance in a commonly used grid-like arrangement of images (i.e., a storyboard) can be improved by using a similarity-based sorting of images. We propose a simple but efficient algorithm for sorting image based on their color similarity. The algorithm generates an intuitive arrangement of images and allows for general application with several different layouts (e.g., storyboard, simple row/column, 3D globe/cylinder). In difference to previous work, which rarely present results from user studies, we perform a fair user study and compare an interface with color sorted images to an interface with images positioned in a random order. Both interfaces use exactly the same screen estate and interaction means. Results show that users are 20% faster with the sorted interface.