Sortoon

Sortoon is a term that appears in a range of niche discussions to address ideas about sorting, visualization, and narrative-driven categorization. There is no universally accepted definition, and meanings vary by field and author.

In digital design and human–computer interaction, sortoon is sometimes described as a hypothetical visual transition or animation that accompanies a sorting operation, intended to make the act of sorting perceptible and engaging for users. In information design and media theory, sortoon can denote a broader concept of ranking information by narrative relevance, affect, or user context rather than strictly by numeric metrics.

Etymology: the word seems to blend sort with toon, suggesting cartoons or playful visuals. Its exact origin is unclear, but it began to appear in online discussions and speculative writing during the 2010s.

Usage and reception: as an informal term, instances are mostly found in design critique, speculative design, or fiction, where sortoon prompts discussion of bias, agency, and how ordering shapes interpretation.

See also: algorithmic bias, data visualization, user experience, speculative design.