Minimal graphics

Photorealistic rendering of graphical models continues to be a topic of considerable research effort in the computer graphics community. However, photorealism isn't the only criterion for judging an image's value. In visualization, where rendering is the conduit through which abstract, nonrealistic forms (such as isosurfaces or streamtubes) become perceivable to users, photorealism may neither be the most useful nor appropriate property. This article describes our long-term research vision in an area that, in our view, should gain a lot of importance in the future.