Understanding the World. The Atlas of Infographics

by Sandra Rendgen, Julius Wiedemann (Editor)

Dazzling in scale, diversity and detail, the world never ceases to open our eyes and captivate our curiosity. Ever since the earliest cave paintings, humans have looked at this Earth that is our home and endeavored to understand it. This expansive visual atlas presents the most exciting, creative and inspiring ways of explaining the world in information graphics. Divided into five chapters, the book covers the environment, technology, economics, society, and culture to reveal some of the Earth’s greatest intricacies in accessible visual form. Featuring more than 280 graphics, reproduced in large scale including seven fold-out spreads, the collection focuses on the 21st century, but also includes historical masterpieces to put our current situation into perspective. Nigel Holmes introduces the book with an exclusive infographic of his own, while Sandra Rendgen provides an illustrated historical essay to explore how we have studied and interpreted our world over the centuries. With graphics drawn from such sources as Fortune, National Geographic, and The Guardian, this is not only a showcase of outstanding data design, but also a fascinating digest of where and how we live.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art, Science, Politics, Geography, Economics

456 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

Sandra Rendgen is an author and editor with a focus on information graphics, interactive media, and the history of information visualization. Based in Berlin, Germany, she studied art history and cultural theory and is the co-author of Information Graphics and Understanding the World: The Atlas of Infographics.

Reviews

[Alexandru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice coffee - table book.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at all types of trivia about the world. There's an infographic on the pathway of every space flight ever, and how different diseases are related genetically.
This is one for a high school library, or for a home collection for people who like to dip in and out of a book for fun and interesting tit bits.

[Kat C · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful! I got it from the library (had them special order it!) && soooo wish that I could afford my own copy!
I put a lot into this BookTube review :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypqhw...

[Seeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying this is a book every data/visual designer should have.
It holds amazingly wonderful data graphics!

It's full with information.
I look in it every so often for inspiration or just to look around and learn something.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, however it dates very quickly, particularly when talking to technology and the information economy. It could also do with a bit more structure and a less abrupt end.

[traveler, learner, lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this earlier in 2024 — forgot to log.

[Marília Ferreira da Cunha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with beautiful infographics. A wonderful edition divided in 5 sections grasping science and technology, geography and environment, economics and development, people and society, media and culture to better understand the world. It is also interesting to understand the evolution of the data visualization tools. I highly recommend it.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

One massive tome of random facts about the world, universe, etc.

[Jose Neo]

Perfect source book for infographic design. So many stunning infographics!! and the price (around $50) is pretty reasonable for such a huge size in design category.