The field of information graphics and Data Visualization is complex, with mostly scientific and social data being interpreted. The challenge is to create a clear, meaningful and engaging design that is also functional. Fortunately there are a few designers and groups who are up to the task. By making information more accessible, they allow us to gain meaning from trivial but sometimes life changing data.
Nicholas Feltron
A frequent designer of information graphics for numerous corporations and publications, his work has been profiled in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Wired and Creative Review. He is also the co-founder of Daytum.com, a site for counting and communicating daily data.
From Daytum.com
Gapminder
Interpreting statistics and other information about social, economic and environmental development at local, national and global levels has been the focus of Gapminder since 1996. Showing major global development trends in a way that is interactive and engaging helps declutter the numbers and provides a “‘fact tank’ that promotes a fact based world view.”
Below is a wonderful video by co-founder Hans Rosling at TED
Flowing Prints
The median yearly cost of higher education is 42% of the median yearly income of U.S. citizens. College High is a carefully designed poster containing 187 original illustrations that collectively represent this cost. It’s part of a series on Education designed by Flowing Prints. Designer Nathan Yau also has a great site about data, statistics and design at Flowing Data.
Information Is Beautiful
David McCandless is an independent visual & data journalist. Visualizing information in order to help us understand the world. His recently published book, The Visual Miscellaneum: A Colorful Guide to the World’s Most Consequential Trivia, is a comprehensive journal of his work in this field.
Infojocks
For folks who enjoy sports and informational graphics, Infojocks makes some nice statistical posters. The Taxonomy of Team Names classifies every professional team and investigates championships won in each category.
GOOD
Good is a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits anchored by a magazine and website. You can see a nice collection of informational posters on their Flickr photostream.
When developing and communicating complex data, it is often best to refer to these specialized designers to help clarify the information. The best are often well-versed in math, science and engineering. For a history lesson into this field, the works of Edward Tufte, Peter Sullivan and Charles Minard are essential. We have only highlighted a few of many professionals who use data visualization to help us understand the world better. Please share any of your finds in the comments section below.
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