Data trails: “The power of trees” (1855)
This beauty of a diagram is considered to be the first organisational chart ever. It was drawn in 1855 and shows the structure of the New York and Erie Railroad Company, a large business of 4,715 employees which operated five railway lines with some 500 miles of tracks at the time. The company is envisioned as a magnificent tree, with its roots forming the center of power in the person of the president and the surrounding board of directors.
Data trails: “The power of trees” (1855)
This beauty of a diagram is considered to be the first organisational chart ever. It was drawn in 1855 and shows the structure of the New York and Erie Railroad Company, a large business of 4,715 employees which operated five railway lines with some 500 miles of tracks at the time. The company is envisioned as a magnificent tree, with its roots forming the center of power in the person of the president and the surrounding board of directors.
Data trails: “81 years of graphical excellence” (1874)
81 years of budget data and various categories in three diagrams – the United States Fiscal Chart from the 1870 US census atlas is a real blockbuster in the history of data visualisation. The atlas as a whole is full of interesting graphics and has a widespread reputation as an early gem of data visualisation.
Data trails: “81 years of graphical excellence” (1874)
81 years of budget data and various categories in three diagrams – the United States Fiscal Chart from the 1870 US census atlas is a real blockbuster in the history of data visualisation. The atlas as a whole is full of interesting graphics and has a widespread reputation as an early gem of data visualisation.
Book review: “Mapping Time” (Esri Press)
There’s hardly any infographic that is more famous, more often cited and more often re-designed than the graphic on Napoleon’s march to Moscow, designed by the Frenchman Charles Joseph Minard in 1869. The graphic is astounding as it seamlessly integrates six dimensions of
Book review: “Mapping Time” (Esri Press)
There’s hardly any infographic that is more famous, more often cited and more often re-designed than the graphic on Napoleon’s march to Moscow, designed by the Frenchman Charles Joseph Minard in 1869. The graphic is astounding as it seamlessly integrates six dimensions of
Book review: “Dear Data” (Penguin)
To craft something requires skills, mastery and patience. It means to create something step by step, with a passion for details and execution. Crafted products are en vogue these days, and in a world where industrial and digital creation processes
Book review: “Dear Data” (Penguin)
To craft something requires skills, mastery and patience. It means to create something step by step, with a passion for details and execution. Crafted products are en vogue these days, and in a world where industrial and digital creation processes
Workshop: “The Future(s) of the Atlas” (Leipzig)
My work throughout the past years has involved researching current trends as well as the long history of information visualisation. This research focus has led me to peek into a variety of professional and scientific disciplines. Coming from an art history background myself,
Workshop: “The Future(s) of the Atlas” (Leipzig)
My work throughout the past years has involved researching current trends as well as the long history of information visualisation. This research focus has led me to peek into a variety of professional and scientific disciplines. Coming from an art history background myself,
Article: “Nervous Systems” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
If you need brain food, some irritation and some art for inspiration – the House of World Cultures in Berlin is an excellent place to turn to. For years, their team has puzzled me with events and exhibitions around topics
Article: “Nervous Systems” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
If you need brain food, some irritation and some art for inspiration – the House of World Cultures in Berlin is an excellent place to turn to. For years, their team has puzzled me with events and exhibitions around topics
Article: “The Feltron Annual Reports” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Nicholas Felton‘s work has been an inspiration to many people in the field of information visualisation, not only when he helped Facebook create their timeline to “unlock people’s personal stories”, but most prominently with his series of Annual Reports which
Article: “The Feltron Annual Reports” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Nicholas Felton‘s work has been an inspiration to many people in the field of information visualisation, not only when he helped Facebook create their timeline to “unlock people’s personal stories”, but most prominently with his series of Annual Reports which
Article: “Ephemeral city” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Urban cartography has long been an authoritative matter: companies or authorities invested time, energy and money in researching the data and information to be published in city maps. The wide use of mobile internet is about to change this set-up
Article: “Ephemeral city” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Urban cartography has long been an authoritative matter: companies or authorities invested time, energy and money in researching the data and information to be published in city maps. The wide use of mobile internet is about to change this set-up
Jury member: “Information is Beautiful Awards” (London)
I felt honoured to be part of the jury of this year’s “Kantar Information Is Beautiful Awards”. The awards’ winners were announced last night in London, and I regret very much that I couldn’t make it to London as the
Jury member: “Information is Beautiful Awards” (London)
I felt honoured to be part of the jury of this year’s “Kantar Information Is Beautiful Awards”. The awards’ winners were announced last night in London, and I regret very much that I couldn’t make it to London as the
Teaching: “Diagrams, maps, trees” (Potsdam)
This semester, I have the great pleasure to teach again within the interface design programme of the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam. Teaching is awesome: you get to work with talented and bright young people and you continually learn
Teaching: “Diagrams, maps, trees” (Potsdam)
This semester, I have the great pleasure to teach again within the interface design programme of the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam. Teaching is awesome: you get to work with talented and bright young people and you continually learn
Interview: “A general literacy in info vis” (InformForm)
Maria da Gandra and Maaike van Neck are the masterminds behind the magazine InformForm. Two beautifully designed print issues have been published to this day. Conceived as an international platform for information design, the magazine is now accompanied by an online
Interview: “A general literacy in info vis” (InformForm)
Maria da Gandra and Maaike van Neck are the masterminds behind the magazine InformForm. Two beautifully designed print issues have been published to this day. Conceived as an international platform for information design, the magazine is now accompanied by an online
Book review: “Map. Exploring the World” (Phaidon)
When I think about cartography, I am always fascinated by the different associations the term evokes in my brain: from map nerd to mathematical superbrain, from school atlas to interactive data visualisation, from “dusty” library map room to high end
Book review: “Map. Exploring the World” (Phaidon)
When I think about cartography, I am always fascinated by the different associations the term evokes in my brain: from map nerd to mathematical superbrain, from school atlas to interactive data visualisation, from “dusty” library map room to high end
Talk: “Mind the Gap” (Helsinki)
For the first time this year, the organisers behind “Visualising Knowledge” conference in Helsinki (most notably the busy and well-connected designers Juuso Koponen and Jonatan Hildén) have put together an academic symposium as a satellite event to the main conference.
Talk: “Mind the Gap” (Helsinki)
For the first time this year, the organisers behind “Visualising Knowledge” conference in Helsinki (most notably the busy and well-connected designers Juuso Koponen and Jonatan Hildén) have put together an academic symposium as a satellite event to the main conference.
Talk: “Datavisualisation—age-old, brand new” (Helsinki)
As you may have figured, the history of information vis is one of my favourite research topics at the moment, and I am happy to present some of my findings whenever I can. So I gladly took the opportunity to
Talk: “Datavisualisation—age-old, brand new” (Helsinki)
As you may have figured, the history of information vis is one of my favourite research topics at the moment, and I am happy to present some of my findings whenever I can. So I gladly took the opportunity to
Talk: “Datavisualisation: age-old, brand new” (Potsdam)
The great team over at University of Applied Sciences runs an interface design course for Bachelor and MA students which is buzzing with ideas, relevant research and a great spirit. At the end of the summer semester, students of the
Talk: “Datavisualisation: age-old, brand new” (Potsdam)
The great team over at University of Applied Sciences runs an interface design course for Bachelor and MA students which is buzzing with ideas, relevant research and a great spirit. At the end of the summer semester, students of the
Article: “Digital archives” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Almost 44 million objects. That’s how many digitised objects are available through the grand European digital library Europeana today. The digitisation of our cultural heritage is an almost mythical project which has been going on for about 15 years now.
Article: “Digital archives” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Almost 44 million objects. That’s how many digitised objects are available through the grand European digital library Europeana today. The digitisation of our cultural heritage is an almost mythical project which has been going on for about 15 years now.
Talk: “Bigger! Smarter! Better?” (Köln)
The Rheinische Fachhochschule in Cologne, one of the oldest of its kind in Germany, invited me to talk as part of their series of guest lectures on the theme of “Big Data” last week. As I mentioned earlier, what really keeps me occupied
Talk: “Bigger! Smarter! Better?” (Köln)
The Rheinische Fachhochschule in Cologne, one of the oldest of its kind in Germany, invited me to talk as part of their series of guest lectures on the theme of “Big Data” last week. As I mentioned earlier, what really keeps me occupied
Talk & Article: “The Fifty Maps of Minard” (Pamplona)
I have had the great opportunity last week to present at this year’s Malofiej conference one of my currently favorite topics, which I have also mentioned earlier here in this blog, and that is the hidden oeuvre of Charles Joseph
Talk & Article: “The Fifty Maps of Minard” (Pamplona)
I have had the great opportunity last week to present at this year’s Malofiej conference one of my currently favorite topics, which I have also mentioned earlier here in this blog, and that is the hidden oeuvre of Charles Joseph
Book: “Understanding the World – The Atlas of Infographics”
Yes, I am quite excited to announce the release of my second collaboration with TASCHEN publishing, “Understanding the World. The Atlas of Infographics”. Looking back at months and months of doing research, collecting material and meeting professionals from the field,
Book: “Understanding the World – The Atlas of Infographics”
Yes, I am quite excited to announce the release of my second collaboration with TASCHEN publishing, “Understanding the World. The Atlas of Infographics”. Looking back at months and months of doing research, collecting material and meeting professionals from the field,
Exhibition: “Micropia” (Amsterdam)
Together with Berlin-based ART+COM studios, we had the great opportunity to create several media installations for an exhibition which I thought had a genial concept: MICROPIA. Conceived as a permanent show within the zoo in Amsterdam, it presents knowledge about animals whom we share our lives with but never see – microbes.
Exhibition: “Micropia” (Amsterdam)
Together with Berlin-based ART+COM studios, we had the great opportunity to create several media installations for an exhibition which I thought had a genial concept: MICROPIA. Conceived as a permanent show within the zoo in Amsterdam, it presents knowledge about animals whom we share our lives with but never see – microbes.
Interview Jer Thorp: “Let the data speak”
For a few years now, Canadian-born Jer Thorp has been working on the forefront of data visualisation, creating ever new ways to interact with vast data sets. Operating under the title of a “data artist”, Jer has recently teamed up
Interview Jer Thorp: “Let the data speak”
For a few years now, Canadian-born Jer Thorp has been working on the forefront of data visualisation, creating ever new ways to interact with vast data sets. Operating under the title of a “data artist”, Jer has recently teamed up
Interview Moritz Stefaner: “The city is alive”
Moritz Stefaner came to the field of data visualisation with a background in cognitive science and interface design. His works are intriguing in their effort to create a comprehensible visual vocabulary for mapping complex data. In his latest project “Stadtbilder”,
Interview Moritz Stefaner: “The city is alive”
Moritz Stefaner came to the field of data visualisation with a background in cognitive science and interface design. His works are intriguing in their effort to create a comprehensible visual vocabulary for mapping complex data. In his latest project “Stadtbilder”,
Research: “The forgotten maps of Minard” (Paris)
In the ever growing field of information visualisation, there are a few historical heroes and pioneers who are always referred to when it comes to how this mode of communication has evolved. One of the most famous historical infographics is
Research: “The forgotten maps of Minard” (Paris)
In the ever growing field of information visualisation, there are a few historical heroes and pioneers who are always referred to when it comes to how this mode of communication has evolved. One of the most famous historical infographics is
Inspiration: “The Art of Memory” at Victoria & Albert Museum
I am very much into all things related to structuring information & visual storytelling. So it is exciting to hear that London’s wonderful Victoria & Albert Museum stages an exhibition exploring new ways of visual narration and the forgotten art
Inspiration: “The Art of Memory” at Victoria & Albert Museum
I am very much into all things related to structuring information & visual storytelling. So it is exciting to hear that London’s wonderful Victoria & Albert Museum stages an exhibition exploring new ways of visual narration and the forgotten art
Book review: Mapping Manhattan (Abrams Books)
Maps are a means to store and communicate location-based data – from physical landscape information to climate data, from popular tourist spots to school data. Maps have also become a very popular format for recording personal memories and subjective impressions
Book review: Mapping Manhattan (Abrams Books)
Maps are a means to store and communicate location-based data – from physical landscape information to climate data, from popular tourist spots to school data. Maps have also become a very popular format for recording personal memories and subjective impressions
Inspiration: Generative logos
Even though tools like “Processing” have been out there for a while, computational design is still a rather new strand in visual communication. In computational design, the final visual appearance is not shaped by the artist’s pen or frozen in
Inspiration: Generative logos
Even though tools like “Processing” have been out there for a while, computational design is still a rather new strand in visual communication. In computational design, the final visual appearance is not shaped by the artist’s pen or frozen in
Inspiration: Interactive network graph from MoMA
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is a fascinating brand name in the museum world. Since it was founded in 1929, the institution’s goal was not only to show what’s happening in contemporary art, but also to shape
Inspiration: Interactive network graph from MoMA
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City is a fascinating brand name in the museum world. Since it was founded in 1929, the institution’s goal was not only to show what’s happening in contemporary art, but also to shape
Inspiration: Visuals by Accurat
Accurate is a word that exists in many western languages. Originating from a Latin root, it means precise, correct… “Accurat” is also the name of an information design studio based in Milan, founded in 2011 by three young designers/researchers: Giorgia
Inspiration: Visuals by Accurat
Accurate is a word that exists in many western languages. Originating from a Latin root, it means precise, correct… “Accurat” is also the name of an information design studio based in Milan, founded in 2011 by three young designers/researchers: Giorgia
Inspiration: Wind map by Viégas & Wattenberg
Martin Wattenberg and Fernanda Viégas have been working in data visualisation for many years now and are currently leading Google’s “Big Picture” research visualisation group. In 2012, they created a great personal project: The “Wind Map”. It visualises in realtime
Inspiration: Wind map by Viégas & Wattenberg
Martin Wattenberg and Fernanda Viégas have been working in data visualisation for many years now and are currently leading Google’s “Big Picture” research visualisation group. In 2012, they created a great personal project: The “Wind Map”. It visualises in realtime
Inspiration: “Secret Universe” George Widener exhibition
The American artist George Widener is an expert of numbers. Being diagnosed with an Asperger’s syndrome, he possesses an extraordinary memory, far beyond anything we can imagine. He is able to juggle with dates, weekdays and events from the past
Inspiration: “Secret Universe” George Widener exhibition
The American artist George Widener is an expert of numbers. Being diagnosed with an Asperger’s syndrome, he possesses an extraordinary memory, far beyond anything we can imagine. He is able to juggle with dates, weekdays and events from the past
