Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Unlike any time before in our lives, we have access to vast amounts of free information. With the right tools, we can start to make sense of all this data to see patterns and trends that would otherwise be invisible to us. By transforming numbers into graphical shapes, we allow readers to understand the stories those numbers hide. In this practical introduction to understanding and using information graphics, you'll learn how to use data visualizations as tools to see beyond lists of numbers and variables and achieve new insights into the complex world around us. Regardless of the kind of data you're working with-business, science, politics, sports, or even your own personal finances-this book will show you how to use statistical charts, maps, and explanation diagrams to spot the stories in the data and learn new things from it.

You'll also get to peek into the creative process of some of the world's most talented designers and visual journalists, including Condé Nast Traveler's John Grimwade , National Geographic Magazine's Fernando Baptista, The New York Times' Steve Duenes, The Washington Post's Hannah Fairfield, Hans Rosling of the Gapminder Foundation, Stanford's Geoff McGhee, and European superstars Moritz Stefaner, Jan Willem Tulp, Stefanie Posavec, and Gregor Aisch. The book also includes a DVD-ROM containing over 90 minutes of video lessons that expand on core concepts explained within the book and includes even more inspirational information graphics from the world's leading designers.

The first book to offer a broad, hands-on introduction to information graphics and visualization, The Functional Art reveals:

* Why data visualization should be thought of as "functional art" rather than fine art
* How to use color, type, and other graphic tools to make your information graphics more effective, not just better looking
* The science of how our brains perceive and remember information
* Best practices for creating interactive information graphics
* A comprehensive look at the creative process behind successful information graphics
* An extensive gallery of inspirational work from the world's top designers and visual artists

On the DVD-ROM:
In this introductory video course on information graphics, Alberto Cairo goes into greater detail with even more visual examples of how to create effective information graphics that function as practical tools for aiding perception. You'll learn how to: incorporate basic design principles in your visualizations, create simple interfaces for interactive graphics, and choose the appropriate type of graphic forms for your data. Cairo also deconstructs successful information graphics from The New York Times and National Geographic magazine with sketches and images not shown in the book.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction - What Infographics and Visualizations Are
• Part 1 Foundations
• Chapter 1 Why Visualization - From Data to Wisdom
• Chapter 2 Form and Function - Visualization as a Technology
• Chapter 3 The Beauty Paradox - Art and Communication Efficacy
• Chapter 4 Exposition, Exploration, and the Complexity Challenge
• Part 2 History
• Chapter 5 Here Be Dragons - on the Origins of Maps
• Chapter 6 Lights of Reason - the Dawn of Scientific Illustration
• Chapter 7 A Scottish Engineer and a Century of Revolutions - the History of Charts
• Part 3 Cognition
• Chapter 8 The Eye and the Visual Brain
• Chapter 9 Non-sensed Perception
• Chapter 10 Images in the Brain
• Part 4 Practice
• Chapter 11 The Creation Process in Infographics and Visualization
• Chapter 12 Interactive Graphics and Visualization
• Appendix: Projects from leading practitioners in the field, explained in detail

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This volume by Cairo (Univ. of Miami) is both fascinating and frustrating all at once. It is divided into four parts: "Foundations," "History," "Cognition," and "Practice." The textual content is very informative and provides great insight into the design of information graphics for print and online sources. However, the book's format and visual presentation were frustrating to this reviewer. Given the subject matter, which is so dependent on reinforcing printed text with illustrative examples, many of the featured graphics do not translate well in the book's small (7 x 9 inch) format. Most of the samples originally appeared either in newspapers or tabloid/large-format magazines where they could be easily studied and interpreted. The book's small size makes comprehending many of the smaller elements in the graphics difficult. That said, this is still a valuable book for graphic designers and design students. Of particular interest are the ten profiles in an appendix that show how different individuals approach the design process. As an extra bonus, the author includes an informative DVD with three lessons highlighting design basics. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. J. M. King emeritus, University of Georgia