Abstract: A presentation grid for simultaneously visualizing elements from a large number of multimedia documents is disclosed. Each of these media elements is an image, a chunk of text, a digital video or multimedia. Media elements are gradually streamed onto the presentation grid, forming a collage. This streaming of media elements happens over time, presenting more and more elements. Eventually, the grid fills: when new elements are added, they must overlap ones which are already there. Placement of elements in the grid is based on a model of their importance to the user. This agent model is implemented through a directed graph of the elements, and weights which quantify their importance. It evolves through interaction. By dynamically prioritizing the allocation of screen space based on the user's interests, the weighted grid presentation system makes the streaming collage a useful and engaging means of visualizing media elements and the documents they represent.