  We investigate the use of 2D black-and-white textures for the visualization
of categorical data and contribute a summary of texture attributes, and the
results of three experiments that elicited design strategies as well as
aesthetic and effectiveness measures. Black-and-white textures are useful, for
instance, as a visual channel for categorical data on low-color displays, in
2D/3D print, to achieve the aesthetic of historic visualizations, or to retain
the color hue channel for other visual mappings. We specifically study how to
use what we call geometric and iconic textures. Geometric textures use patterns
of repeated abstract geometric shapes, while iconic textures use repeated icons
that may stand for data categories. We parameterized both types of textures and
developed a tool for designers to create textures on simple charts by adjusting
texture parameters. 30 visualization experts used our tool and designed 66
textured bar charts, pie charts, and maps. We then had 150 participants rate
these designs for aesthetics. Finally, with the top-rated geometric and iconic
textures, our perceptual assessment experiment with 150 participants revealed
that textured charts perform about equally well as non-textured charts, and
that there are some differences depending on the type of chart.
