Allocating the Diameter Budget: Task-Aware Bubble Size Emphasis under Fixed Layout Constraints

Abstract

While bounding bubble diameters helps prevent chart and map occlusion, standard scaling often treats these limits passively. We reframe the fixed size range as a proactive design choice and finite visual budget. Rather than relying on a static, task-blind curve, the strategy lets designers allocate pixel resolution based on user scenarios: exposing subtle variation among dense small values or accentuating gaps between top-end values.