Data Flow: Visualizing Information in Graphic Design isn’t an Edward Tufte book. It’s not an instruction manual nor is it a guide to analytical and statistical graphics. Rather, Data Flow is a showcase of visualization and infographics with a hard focus on aesthetics and form.
First Impressions
I was naturally drawn to Data Flow, because well, this blog and the book practically share the same name. As I flipped through the pages, I realized that I’ve written about a lot of the pieces on FlowingData, and even one of the works that I collaborated on a while back is in the book. It was nice to see them in print though. A lot of visualizations are simply better on paper than they are on a monitor. I don’t think I have to explain why.
Data Flow has a nice tactile feel with 250 thick-paper pages and high quality prints. The colors are bright, the graphics are big, and the text is limited – all the makings of an excellent coffee table book.
Content and Layout
The layout is like that of an art book. Data Flow is split into six sections based on form – datasphere, datanets, datascape, datalogy, datanoid, and datablocks or in other words, circles, networks, spatial, physical, and rectangles, respectively. I personally would have preferred a split by data type. I realize it’s graphic design, but the layout is like a non-emphasis on the data, so some of the purpose is lost.
That said, Data Flow is chock full of beautiful data visualization examples. A lot of works from many well-known designers are included like Nicholas Felton’s Feltron Report, Stamen Design’s Cabspotting, and Chris Harrison’s Biblical Social Network as well as plenty of the lesser known, but equally impressive pieces. I was a little surprised not to see anything from Jonathan Harris, Golan Levin, or Aaron Koblin, but maybe those are more interaction design than graphic design?
Speaking of layout, I agree with a lot of the Amazon reviews. Layout is inconsistent. It’s like a mashup of images without any clear defined margins, which is not a huge deal but it does go against my personal preference. For example, there are lot of full-page pieces, but some only take up 2/3 of a page with a lot of white space around; or there are two equal-sized images with one centered on the page while the other is aligned right.
Overall
Data Flow isn’t perfect; but I still like it, simply for the pretty pictures and as a source of inspiration. Don’t buy this book if you’re looking for a how-to in data visualization. Buy this book if you’re interested in aesthetics and crave some infographic inspiration from time to time. It basically all comes down to this one question. Do you like information aesthetics? If yes, you’ll like Data Flow.
Get a Free Copy of Data Flow
Ah, so you made it to the end of this review. You must be interested. Guess what. I have two copies of Data Flow to give away. Leave a comment below, and I’ll pick two people at random tomorrow (Tuesday) at 8pm EST. This is restricted to those with a US mailing address.
UPDATE: This one’s all done and over. The lucky two should have received a notification email now. Thanks to Gestalten for providing the giveaways.
Alas I don’t have a US postcode!
thanks for the review. i’m eager to learn more about how to bring the visualization of data/information into my work in corporate communications.
Ooh… aaah…
I generally try to keep from accumulating books, but that sounds pretty darned sexy. Would love to get a copy!
they do look better in print, don’t they.
Pick me! This would be amazing.
Moi! Moi! Would love to get a copy. :-)
This book reminds me of the ‘community of variation’ book http://www.contextfreeart.org/mediawiki/index.php/Community_of_Variation
Although this other book has the benefit of including the ContextFree code, they are not ‘data’ visualization, just beautiful visualizations.
Woo! Looks like an awesome book!
I love books that have more pictures and less text. I would definitely like to have a shot at my luck to get a copy of this book … AND I have US mailing address! :)
Looks like a great book, good infographics can really make me weak in the knees!
Ahhh, just the weapon I need to add to my arsenal of information design weaponry. To the uniformed, clarity and understanding await… resistance is futile.
Looks sweet! I want! :)
I wish I could afford to buy my own copy.
Alas, I’m in France… that notwithstanding I would love to explore this showcase book… any chance you’d consider going wordlwide on this one ?
uh – could i pleez have? :)
Would be a great source of inspiration to me, as well as a great way to explain to people how design can benefit their work. The layout errors will also be useful in teaching would be designers, what not to allow in their own published works.
Would love to share a copy with my students.
Oooh, looks great! Hope randomness is on my side! ;)
Would love a copy of this book!
I, too, would love to share this with students I work with. Thanks for considering me!
I totally agree Nathan. Actually I was a bit disappointed by the lack of complexity or interaction-models in the presented visualizations and the focus on informational graphic design (but this wasn’t a surprise knowing the “Die Gestalten Verlag” and their focus on aesthetics).
But just as you said, the book is great for nice pictures and some fresh inspiration.
Guess what they left me out too ;) Would nevertheless appreciate a copy, nothing wrong about a nice coffee table book.
To be honest, did Tufte tell sonething new? I had seen 3 his books and they really overlaping: examples are the same, ideas.
What new it brings?
Thanks
love this blog, and we”d love your book. Thx
@johnnyA
I have way too many books, but would love to have this one.
Following along, love the flow. Interested in the book. Appreciate your generosity. -DP
Me! Me! Me! :-)
This book looks interesting. I’d love to check it out.
I would love a copy, as well! I’ve recently become very interested in data visualization.
Nice review, would definitely like to see the book in hard copy.
Thanks!
Wow, this book sounds amazing. Can’t wait to have a chance to flip through it.
How could I refuse such an easy entry for a free copy?
Thanks for the review, Nathan!
That’s an offer I can’t refuse.
I appreciate your blog and would very much appreciate a copy of this book.
Sounds compelling to see, enter me please.
Though a recent convert to your blog, I love your stuff. Picking me would bring someone into the field who is just getting the feet wet … and would love it!
Thanks for perfect review Nathan.
And however I’d definitely like to have a copy to look at.
oh, pick me, pick me! I would look at it, then give it to my daughter who is graduating from Pratt this May as a designer.
In the often stodgy world of government statistics, there have been many times where a sexier display of information could have provided a visual wake-up call to our intended audience. We spend so much time in our Tufte world of minimizing the ink that we forget how to communicate a story, our audience gets bored and starts daydreaming.
Although the information rich displays in this book take don’t lend themselves to our typical PowerPoint world, they can be an effective method for communicating a complex issue. By sharing examples of how others have accomplished this difficult task (just as you do), I think this book can help show us how it’s done.
Great review, and thanks for the chance to win!
It’s about time someone did a book like this. Glad to see so much interest!
Thanks for the review– would love a copy of the book!
looks interesting, with the bonus tactile feel of paper.
Looks like a great book. Thanks for letting us know about it.
“…this blog and the book practically share the same name”
Not quite. I’m sure he book gets a nice snapshot of the the “Flow” but this blog keeps me entertained by adding new content and by keeping things “flowing.”
There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but I’d love this free book.
Thanks
A friend has this book, and it’s beautiful but i guess questionably useful?
come on random odds!
Dig your blog and would dig this book. Thanks!
Sounds interesting, and free stuff is always good.
I have an entire department of people who dearly need this book.
I work in an industry with an aging demographic of engineer’s many of whom just don’t get it. You would not believe the agonizing presentations I have sat through. So much of the conversation is what the heck you are trying to say that we are all are too exhausted and frustrated by the time it gets to meaning, analysis, and reflection.
I have handed my copies to E. Tufte to a few who show promise. But what I want is a bomb to leave in the break room.
A great book, I would be honoured, deeply, to receive a copy :-)
Yours
Sicko
(my real name, yes)
Thanks for the post. I enjoy your blog and read it daily.
The book sounds like a cool source of inspiration for information aesthetics. Please keep me in mind for the book giveaway!
Thanks again.
Thanks for the review. I’d love a copy to share with students.
Would love a copy :)
Thanks so much for the review and the chance at getting it free.
As a scientist who’s job now is to communicate with primarily non-scientists, many innocent people would be saved if I were to win.
Oops, should have said “whose.” See how bad I need this?
This is at the center of my radar right now, as I have a DV project in the works. Would LOVE to have this reference book to give me tons of great ideas. Thanks for the offer! (Yes, I have a US mailing address.)
Thanks for the detailed review! I’ve been interested in this book for a while, but was on the fence about buying it without seeing a trustworthy review first.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed at the chance to win!
Looks like a fantastic book!
Looks interesting
Looks like it has lots of pictures. So even a hick like me should be able to read it. ;-)
Nice review, book looks awesome!
Hi Nathan, thanks for making a great blog. I’m just learning the ropes (perhaps threads would be more accurate at the moment), but would love to check out this book.
I’d love one-a-dem books.
This would be a nice addition to my library.
Coolness. I’ll pass it around like I do my Tufte books. I’m proud to own one of the scriffiest copies of “Visualizing Information” around.
I’m always interested in adding quality books to my library without opening my wallet!
Entering book give-away + thanks for all tjat youi do on this site
Reducing complexity, clear communication and aesthetics is what I am always looking for in visual communication.
Looks interesting! Keep on posting!
This book looks interesting — I’d love to check it out
thanks
Oh man, I am leaving a comment.
Visuals and text, what a great combination! Thanks for the blog posts and sharing info.
looks like an awesome book.
Approaching visualizations from a design standpoint sounds really interesting. I would love to see a book that takes several different, popular, data visualizations and presents them with an analysis from several different perspectives. Each one would have, as an example, a critique from a statistician, a graphic designer, an journalist, etc.
But maybe this would work better on a blog…
Anyway, great review. Thanks.
ooh, the colors…
Nathan,
Greta blog you have here. I enjoy coming here often.
And for the number of comments to this post I am not alone.
I would love to check out the book.
Thanks for the review of the book. I’ve been staring at it for several weeks on Amazon debating where its any good, especially for the price of it. I would love a chance to win the book for free. :)
As a devoted follower of Edward Tufte, I would like to comment in order to qualify for the contest. Although I have only limited opportunities to utilize graphics, I am still impressed at the beauty and range of graphic displays.
Wow, this would be awesome to win!
Great Visualization, great designs…
Check out the Amazon reviews
I would love a copy of this book. Thanks for the blog.
That’s been on my list of books to check out for a while. Your review is further incentive for me to snag a copy (either by winning it here or doing some bookstore browsing). Thanks for the review and the book offer.
Pick me! I love graphic design!!!!
Hello FlowingData.com Community,
DataFlow was designed by http://www.gestalten.com in Germany.
If you like this book check out their website.
Thanks for the review! (And please enter me in your drawing :)
Sounds cool
Truly impressive and fascinating work.
Looks amazing, love me some infographics.
I love data visualization book :)
Loved the opening comment, “Data Flow . . . isn’t an Edward Tufte book.” Thanks for the review — this book wasn’t even on my radar, but looks like it might have some value as an inspirational tool.
Pick me! Pick me!
Ever since I discovered Tufte about 15 years ago i’ve been absolutely fascinated by ways to visually display information that has an impact on the reader
even if not selected I look forward to purchasing this book
Thanks for the review, Nathan. Love the site; want the book!
Yummy data. Someone needs to work with recovery.gov to start giving us some more useful visualizations on where all that money is going.
Great review–it certainly made me want to read the book! (If only I would be lucky enough to win a copy…)
I’d like to be entered into the drawing. The examples you cite make the book sound like a great thing to read through on some quiet Sunday afternoon.
I’m looking for the inspiration of the visuals, and to see how the paper version wins over the screen — could be different things work better in each medium. And I can’t win if I don’t play!
The book look great, I’d love to see some of these great visualizations in print.
FTW!
Thanks for the review.
We’d love to get a copy of this for our office!
Love the blog; would love to check out the book!
Thanks for this contest.
Thank you for your work showing the breadth and scope of information graphics. Also, please enter me in the drawing for the book.
oooh! pick me pick me!
infoporngraphics, I love it.
I can see where you’re coming from in your comment about how they sectioned the book, but based on everything else you said, it seems that they sectioned it in-line with what they were trying to showcase.
In other words, the book is more about the graphic design of information, and less about the types of information one can design for. With that in mind, it makes more sense to section the book according to basic graphic elements instead of by the information contained within.
giving away awesome books? i like this blog even more.
This is looks great. Always a fan of seeing data visualizations in print.
I think the cover is hideous. But at least it isn’t a river filled with 0’s and 1’s. I hope this diss doesn’t diss-qualify me from the drawing :-)
Would be great to get a copy!
wow, 100+ comments in 6 hours. Impressive nathan!
I’ll place my comment in the ring for a free book.
Moses
“simply better on paper” – would love to get the book.
I would love to win something today. Looks like a fun book.
looks great!
Thanks for the review, Nathan. I’m always looking for good sourcebooks. Are there how-to books that are technology-agnostic? I.e., a book I can use to learn how to build viz regardless of the lang I’m using to build
Hi Nathan,
I stumbled on this site a few days ago and have fallen in love with it! I also like chances to win free books!
Looks like an interesting book. May have to check it out.
hmmm… i’ll take it!
Data flow, data flow
Where will all that data go?
In graphics that are clutter free
Where one sees forest and also tree
And story comes into the fore
So that we are changed forevermore.
I’d love a copy. Go random draw!
Looks like another great book to add to the stack!
This book looks great. Thanks for the review!
Thanks so much for reviewing this book. It’s funny – with all of the wisdom of the crowd review information that’s available online, it’s so good still to get expert reviews for books new and old.
I’ll be seeking this out at my library/bookstore.
Props to Kyle for writing a poem in his comment. Wow.
We all could do a little more with more inspiration and less subjective instruction
nice review.
I’m always looking for ways to present information, usually financial information, in a visual format. We accountants may love our tables of data, but our management and board needs something more quickly understandable….
I am hereby adding myself to the (long!) list of folks crossing their fingers and muttering, “Pick me, pick me, c’mon, dumb luck!”
Odds are getting long, but here I am.
I really look forward to picking up this book. If I am lucky maybe it will be free. Great site all around.
Nice review, love to get my hands on this book.
I keep thinking about buying this book, but keep not doing it. Would love to have random chance solve the situation for me.
Thanks for the review!
This book is marked as “highest” on my Amazon list. I never win anything. Make a man happy, wouldja? Great blog.
Thanks for the review.
My girlfriend has been craving this book for a while, but with the economy the way it is, hasn’t been able to buy it. I would love to be able to gift it to her. Thanks!
I teach social studies (grades 9-12) and I find myself using more tools for my students to visualize content. This book looks like a great fit!
Looks like a fascinating book!
Looks great, would love to win a copy
I’m not usually lucky in these things, but I’ll try nonetheless!
So my RSS reader was a little under when it said there were 10 comments on this item. I hope I win a free book though!
I so badly want the book!
I’ll bite.
Flowing… flowing… gone!
Google reader was also giving me 10 comments. Guess google is spending all their time on other things (hopefully making sure gmail is working).
Thank you for your review! I often look through this book when I run across it at the bookstore. I would love to have my own copy!
I would love to own a copy !
you know what that font is on the cover for the book title? it’s stunning especially in that color.
This is one of my favorite blogs, and I’m amazed at what you’ve done with YFD. Thanks for all you do.
I’ll throw my hat in, and I have a US mail address too. I’d love to add this to my library.
I work in a small firm of well-meaning creative people (me among them) who are sometimes stifled when it comes to presenting potentially dry data in ways that are truly engaging. Looks like this book is full of them, and I appreciate the line you draw between this text and the work of Professor Tufte, which, will fascinating, is not always creatively liberating.
Love the blog and my day brightens when I see a new headline from your site in my Google Reader.
Thanks.
cool- I’d love one!
Great blog… I follow it on my RSS Reader.
I love that you opened with the line that this “isn’t an Edward Tufte book.” Having been seduced into analysis of visual data analysis by such lovely books as the Tufte volumes, your review certainly caught my eye. I may have to see this _Data_Flow_ volume, if only to see that it is a “mashup of images without any clear defined margins, which … does go against my personal preference.” I’m likely to agree. [And here’s crossing my fingers to win your random drawing.]
I’d love a copy!
thanks for the review
I love this blog! Pick me!
diving heads into this waters of flowing data,
a print copy would warm my heart immensely.
Looks like a great book!
I just recently found your site and it’s wonderful. As a dyslexic I find reading through data takes longer than most, so data flow visualized charts saves me valuable time as I plow through wonky issues. The book would be great, but finding your site is already a gift.
Pick me, please, and I will add a review on my blog.
Thanks for the offer!! Please let us know what process you used for the random pick! :-)
Pick me!
Love Flowing Data…keep reviewing books, keep giving them away!
please throw my name in the hat.
So many people! In any case, that book looks quite shiny.
I’m in! Data flows are marvelous. Better than mud flows.
Good review…will be better when I get the book to see what you’re talking about :-P
this looks great! comment!
Pick me please!!!
This is one of those times that I wish I didn’t live in Canada…
Fingers crossed
Looks like a great book, and it’s been added to my wish list on amazon… assuming I don’t win it here!
Pick me! I like the virtual water graphic, but it bugs me that the items all have different weights. Comparing 1 apple to 1 coconut to 1 “slice” of cheese could be presented better by using 500g of each.
Great review; way to go for contest! …thanks.
dugg!
There’s nothing wrong with making data pretty while making it understandable.
As somebody working with a team developing a data indicators website (and struggling to find compelling ways to visualize the data) this book would be a valuable resource. My fingers are crossed!
Wow this book looks awesome! I’d like a copy please
Edward Tufte books are great… I do not have this one…
Oh me goodness!
Me wants this big time.
I have nothing clever to say aside from having to let you know that I want this so bad, I am willing to beg for it.
Please do not let this plea go unheard lest you alter the time-space continum we are in by not sending it and force me to go back in time only to come back in another life as a politician intent to destroy the art of data visualization.
You have been warned.
– Steve
Must have this book!
If i don’t win, i guess i’ll have to buy it :P
Would love the book to share with students. We’ll be representing data real soon and I would love to push them beyond the bar graph. Love the blog, thanks.
I’m a fan of Tufte, and I tend to agree with him on most things although not all of them. I use graphs a lot for my own analyses, although what I find useful is not always comprehensible to others who may not be willing to put much into understanding. Messy presentation can convey a lot of information on the fine detail of variability. Central tendency values by themselves elide the richness of underlying data and can lead to silly recommendations. Then again, messiness alone is not a sign of content significance. I am constantly dismayed by bad maps, unlabelled axes, and pictures that do not come with the appropriate Rosetta Stone.
Hooked on graphics…..
Of course I’ll take one.
I enjoy reading your blog, and would certainly enjoy a copy of this book. It would be nice to compare to Tufte’s Beautiful Evidence.
This book was just recommend by a teacher for a poster project we are working on and I was just trying to figure out how I could possibly afford it!
Being able to add this to my library for free would be awesome. Hope I win! Nice of you to offer!
amazon reviews seem pretty split, but I guess that’s expected.
I love the creative presentation of data.
Good review…. would love a copy! Thanks for the give-away.
Fingers crossed this makes it to the AAU Planning Dept. Student Library.
looks great!
Looks like a good book.
Thanks for the review and give-away. Data visualization has always been an interesting area to study into. The decision of obtaining the perfect balance between visually appealing and readability is an art. I would love, love to have a copy of this awesome book!
Looks like a fantastic book. I’d love to have a read through it.
man, i would love to have that book! and for free, too!
We are in the middle of a visualization project, and would love some inspiration.
Recently been muddling about with how to visualize various bits of important information. This book seems inspirational!
I, of course, would love a free copy. Such a gorgeous book! We need more inspirational tomes out there.
Beautiful book. Count me in!
Looks quite useful/nice visualizations. Would love a copy!
Looks like a nice one to add to my collection of Tufte books. Thanks for the review.
I tell you when I poop, at least give me a free book!
Neato
I want in!
Great book & site!
How many people interested to the book! It’s amzing ;)
Thanks for sharing,
d.
Thanks for the review. I’d love a copy.
Score!
I love your site! I stumbled upon your recession/economic doom infographic summary. Absolutely brilliant compilation! I love the sources you pulled from and the attention to details. This is really what graphic design is all about…taking a big, complex issue filled with tons of data and boiling the issue down to an easy to understand and pleasing to look at summary. bravo!
looks like a very interesting book. thanks for the review!
Thanks for the chance.
Ooh, ooh, pick me!! Love your site and am appreciative to learn about this book!
Looks interesting. Thanks for the scoop.
I would love a copy, otherwise I’m buying it tomorrow.
Great review — thank you.
giddyup
thanks for the review. I’d love a copy.
This book would be perfect for the work I’m doing with a client right now; looking for that guide to inspiration……
I just found this website. I am absolutely blown away.
This review got me pumped to check out the book. I’m an information designer by day and always thirsty for inspiration.
This blog is a welcome addition to my inbox. Thanks also for taking the time to share you work and impressions with us, your public.
I would love it!
Do all copies include the holes?
how are you going to pick the winning comment?
hi nathan, i’d like to throw my hat in for the book, but also to say thanks for the link to many-eyes via twitter — you saved my life with that, and saved my presentation, too!
best,
brendan
ditto.
I wouldn’t mind that book
Thanks for the review. I was kind of on the fence as to whether or not I should buy this book. I think your review helped.
very pretty
me! me! me!
I would love a copy..
Would love a copy of this book.
looks interesting, and i would love a copy! thanks.
please add me to the bucket too!
Thanks for the review — book sounds great and I’d love an opportunity to win it!
Thanks!
That book’s beautiful. Would love a copy.
nice review, and I do really think the focus on the more static/print visualizations is actually a good thing about the book, since this is sort of the first one of it’s kind (speaking of more recent infoviz, so exluding tufte)
I’d love a copy. Help a poor college student out!
This book looks really cool. I’d love to get it and keep it at the office for reference!!!
Yes please!
Ah, very nice. great reason to get a coffee table.,
Here’s why I should get this book
ooh, pretty. ‘twould be lovely to own!
How do you visualize random picking?
Wow- this would be a great book for someone looking to apply for grad school in Cartography (*ahem* me) soon!
Love coffee table books! And if it makes us smarter, fabulous.
I would LOVE to have this book! I went to school for industrial design but have found myself in the research/information design side of the product development business as I have gone on in my career. This website and resources like this book really are a life-saver for me in my DIY info-design department.
Nice review!
Seems like my kind of book, add me to the list of potentials!
Give me the book!
Hope to win!
What does flowing data on comment / feedback tell us? 1) lets be blunt, PICK ME. 2) Books Make me look smart, pick me. 3) I’ll kiss up to you, pick me. 4) I support Amazon.com and will get a copy there, but I like free stuff too, so pick me! Best of luck to all.
maybe not as good in print, but I’d still be interested
Im interested BECAUSE its such a good review. good job. Here’s hoping you help a brother out. :)
Hey! Hey! Hey! I want one! Hey! OVER HERE!
An entire about about both data and visualization, sounds like a must read.
Hi. Here’s my name in the hat.
Thanks for the great website, stumbled on it one day and keep coming back and recommend it to all my friends (now that BS should get me a book!)
would love a copy!!!
hope im not too late to be considered…