Envisioning Information

A great primer for learning what not to do in designing infographics.

Another read for work. This is the third Tufte I've read and they certainly have diminishing returns. I found [b:The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd Ed. 17744 The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, 2nd Ed. Edward R. Tufte https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560425455l/17744.SX50.jpg 522245] dated, but worthwhile in its approach to data. Then [b:Beautiful Evidence 17743 Beautiful Evidence Edward R. Tufte https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1392420570l/17743.SX50.jpg 19271] to be more of a coffee table book repeating some strong opinions from Tufte that have not survived their aging.This is more of the same. Tufte loves complexity - in several of these books he cites archaic handmade train schedules. These are prettier to look at than to use, and they're not the prettiest things to look at to begin with. Tufte often talks about simplicity being essential, but then also repeats statements something like: “you can't treat your audience as if they're stupid, uncaring, or obtuse.” It feels like he makes those statements to get away with overly complex graphics.He highlights a projection of the Rockefeller Center surroundings by Constantine Anderson as a great joy of visualizing information, noting that it goes so far as to depict individual windows. What is the point of identifying individual windows on a map? There really isn't one. Tufte notes that Anderson spent 20 years on this map, and then it becomes clear that this is an art piece, not a utility.I would be interested in seeing a modern version of these books, using modern examples and modern design language. These have been rather left in the past, and I can't imagine anything but the first book being useful to the practicing data scientist or designer. I think [b:Rastersysteme für die visuelle Gestaltung - Grid systems in Graphic Design 350962 Rastersysteme für die visuelle Gestaltung - Grid systems in Graphic Design Josef Muller-Brockmann https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173989527l/350962.SX50.jpg 341206] is an excellent design reference for layout and much more practical, having read it over 10 years ago, anyway. Page 82 of the Tufte cites [b:Die neue Typografie 5785533 Die neue Typografie Jan Tschichold https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677797992l/5785533.SX50.jpg 114711] which I haven't read, but the excerpt/graphic from that seems in the same design language as Muller's work and so is probably the most practical thing I took away.