Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

1-2026

Abstract

Design studies aim to develop visualization solutions for real-world problems across various application domains. Recently, the emergence of large language models (LLMs) has introduced new opportunities to enhance the design study process, providing capabilities such as creative problem-solving, data handling, and insightful analysis. However, despite their growing popularity, there remains a lack of systematic understanding of how LLMs can effectively assist researchers in visualization-specific design studies. In this paper, we conducted a rnulti-stage qualitative study to fill this gap, which involved 30 design study researchers from diverse backgrounds and expertise levels. Through in-depth interviews and carefully-designed questionnaires, we investigated strategies for utilizing LLMs, the challenges encountered, and the practices used to overcome them. We further compiled the roles that LLMs can play across different stages of the design study process. Our findings highlight practical implications to inform visualization practitioners, and also provide a framework for leveraging LLMs to facilitate the design study process in visualization research.

Keywords

Design Study; Large Language Models (LLMs); Qualitative Study; Visualization

Discipline

Graphics and Human Computer Interfaces

Research Areas

Intelligent Systems and Optimization

Areas of Excellence

Digital transformation

Publication

IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics

Volume

32

Issue

1

First Page

287

Last Page

297

ISSN

1077-2626

Identifier

10.1109/TVCG.2025.3634820

Publisher

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2025.3634820

Download

Share

COinS