A database searching system, method and controller is provided for interactively searching a database of data items in a descriptor space with a user, comprising a display for viewing by the user; a position selector for manipulation and activation by the user; a reference set selector for selecting a reference set (64a-64d) of two or more data items; a reference set coordinate obtainer for obtaining descriptor coordinates for each of the reference data items; a search results identifier for identifying a search results set of data items in the database which are close to or between one or more members of the reference set in the descriptor space; and a search results display controller for displaying the search results set on the display so that closeness on the display between particular data items is generally indicative of closeness in the descriptor space.