Methods to zoom in and out, especially suggested icons, ways of indicating zoom level (national to house) and literal scale axes and bars. Try to come up with good examples that are not maps. Charts of financial data, again.

Problem

Data in dense information arrays, such as charts, graphs and maps, must be able to change the level of detail presented by a zooming function or metaphor.

Solution

High density information, such as that in charts, graphs and maps, can be especially difficult to use on small screen devices. Showing a sense of the whole space can preclude viewing sufficient details for analysis and other uses.

Zooming into (and out of) the information is the general solution. As this is similar to changing the depth of view, it is a different axis than scrolling, so requires a unique control set.

Coordinated with changing the zoom level is communicating a sense of scale, whether relative or absolute.

Variations

Interaction Details

Presentation Details

Antipatterns

Examples