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Speak Data: Artists, Scientists, Thinkers, and Dreamers on How We Live Our Lives in Numbers
This is no ordinary data science book. Speak Data is the first pop nonfiction book to explore the definition of data and its impacts on our daily lives. Bold color graphics and playful illustrations by award-winning information designer Giorgia Lupi guide you from one observation and revelation to the next. Data is the most powerful force in society today. From the global scale of financial markets and communication networks to the smallest moments of personal observation and social connection, data is created, shared, and analyzed at a speed and volume once unimaginable. Whether we realize it or not, we are surrounded by invisible ecosystems of data. This fresh Modern Love-style take approaches data from multiple perspectives, showing how data affects everything from our health and wellness to our creativity, activism, and much more. Seventeen interviews with global thought leaders in the worlds of business, tech, health, art, and more provide unique insight into the dynamic and surprisingly interdisciplinary nature of data, Tech pioneer John Maeda on the value of data visualization during global emergencies. Marketing legend Seth Godin on how to use data to get people to really care about climate change. Museum curator Paola Antonelli on whether data is art. Atomic Habits author James Clear on the ways data can (and can’t) describe human identity. AI data artist Refik Anadol on how big datasets can dream. And many more. Authors Giorgia Lupi and Phillip Cox invite us to think differently about how numbers, statistics, and algorithms play out in our lives, presenting a new and uniquely multifaceted paradigm for understanding data’s impact. The exciting visual expansion and illumination of the ideas within each chapter make understanding data fun and approachable for every reader. ESTABLISHED Giorgia Lupi is an award-winning information designer whose work is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. She has twice been named to the Wallpaper* USA 400 list of the people shaping creative America and recently became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Art and a National Geographic explorer. A visual OpEd she published in the New York Times in 2023 was a stunning reflection on her experience of long Covid, and her TED Talk on her humanistic approach to data has more than one million views. Her belief is that data has the capacity to make us all more human—advancing our intelligence, engagement, and delight. KALEIDESCOPE OF Five chapters tackle human-centered topics of data and identity, communications, health, technology, and creativity, exploring what data is today and what it might mean for our collective future. The scientists, artists, writers, researchers, and activists interviewed include James Clear, Adam Grant, Andy Marra, Seth Godin, Bernadette Woods Placky, Nico Muhly, Kate Crawford, and Sougwen Chung. Perfect Anyone interested in data science and data visualization Graphic design students and professionals Educators and librarians seeking an instructive and accessible resource on data Readers of modern culture and popular science books Fans of Giorgia Lupi’s artwork, TED Talk, and books, including Dear Data and Observe, Collect, Draw!
- GenresScience
272 pages
Published November 11, 2025
9 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Giorgia Lupi
8 books73 followersGiorgia Lupi is an award-winning information designer, author and artist.
She is co-author of Dear Data (www.dear-data.com) published by Penguin in the UK and Princeton Architectural Press in North America,
She is co-founder and design director at Accurat a data-driven design firm with offices in Milan and New York.
Her work in information visualization frequently crosses the divide between digital and print, exploring visual models and metaphors to represent dense and rich data-driven stories.
Giorgia received her M-Arch at FAF in Ferrara and she then earned a PhD in Design at Politecnico di Milano in 2014. Her design work has been featured on the New York Times, Wired, the Guardian, Popular Science, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, Forbes, among all.
Her work has been exhibited at: The London Scienc eMuseum, the New York Hall of Science, The Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York, Triennale Design Museum in Milan, Milano Design Week and Somerset House in London.
www.giorgialupi.com
www.accurat.nyc
@giorgialupi
She is co-author of Dear Data (www.dear-data.com) published by Penguin in the UK and Princeton Architectural Press in North America,
She is co-founder and design director at Accurat a data-driven design firm with offices in Milan and New York.
Her work in information visualization frequently crosses the divide between digital and print, exploring visual models and metaphors to represent dense and rich data-driven stories.
Giorgia received her M-Arch at FAF in Ferrara and she then earned a PhD in Design at Politecnico di Milano in 2014. Her design work has been featured on the New York Times, Wired, the Guardian, Popular Science, Time Magazine, The Washington Post, Forbes, among all.
Her work has been exhibited at: The London Scienc eMuseum, the New York Hall of Science, The Storefront for Art and Architecture in New York, Triennale Design Museum in Milan, Milano Design Week and Somerset House in London.
www.giorgialupi.com
www.accurat.nyc
@giorgialupi
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2025
Book Review: Speak Data: Artists, Scientists, Thinkers, and Dreamers on How We Live Our Lives in Numbers by Giorgia Lupi and Phillip Cox
Overview
Speak Data is a groundbreaking pop-nonfiction exploration of data’s omnipresence in modern life, blending vibrant visual storytelling with interdisciplinary insights from 17 global thought leaders. Award-winning information designer Giorgia Lupi and co-author Phillip Cox redefine data as a deeply humanistic force—shaping identity, creativity, health, and activism—through bold graphics, playful illustrations, and interviews with figures like Seth Godin, James Clear, and Refik Anadol. Far from a dry technical manual, the book transforms abstract datasets into relatable narratives, proving data’s capacity to “make us more human” (Lupi). I didn't really anticipate the artistic value of this book. I've read tons of books on data, but none are like this!
Strengths
- Visual Innovation: The book’s kaleidoscopic design—unexpected for a data-centric text—elevates complex ideas into accessible, even whimsical, visual essays. Lupi’s signature style (reminiscent of her Dear Data project) turns bar charts and algorithms into art.
- Interdisciplinary Lens: By juxtaposing perspectives (e.g., Paola Antonelli on data-as-art vs. Kate Crawford on AI ethics), the authors reveal data’s contested role across fields. The “Modern Love-style” approach personalizes stats, as in Lupi’s reflection on long COVID.
- Provocative Interviews: Standout dialogues include John Maeda on emergency data visualization and Sougwen Chung on human-AI collaboration, challenging readers to see data as a creative medium. I don't think that's a very common perspective (at least in my field of public health).
Critiques
- Depth vs. Breadth: While the 17 interviews offer wide-ranging insights, some topics (e.g., climate activism) could benefit from deeper analysis beyond soundbites.
- Niche Appeal: The heavy reliance on visuals, though stunning, may distract readers seeking traditional textual analysis.
How I would describe this book:
- Speak Data turns spreadsheets into poetry—proof that numbers can feel.
- A visual feast for data skeptics and enthusiasts alike—like Humans of New York meets Big Data.
- Lupi and Cox redefine data literacy as a life skill—playful, profound, and deeply human.
- Perfect for fans of Atomic Habits and Invisible Women—where stats meet soul.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Chronicle Books for the advance review copy. Lupi and Cox’s work exemplifies the publisher’s commitment to reimagining scholarly discourse through design.
Conclusion
Speak Data is a triumph of form and function, merging rigorous research with artistic flair. While its fragmented structure may frustrate purists, the book’s core thesis—that data is “the most powerful force in society” and a canvas for empathy—resonates urgently. A must-read for graphic designers, educators, and anyone curious about the invisible systems shaping our lives.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) — A visually dazzling, thought-provoking manifesto with minor trade-offs in analytical depth.
Overview
Speak Data is a groundbreaking pop-nonfiction exploration of data’s omnipresence in modern life, blending vibrant visual storytelling with interdisciplinary insights from 17 global thought leaders. Award-winning information designer Giorgia Lupi and co-author Phillip Cox redefine data as a deeply humanistic force—shaping identity, creativity, health, and activism—through bold graphics, playful illustrations, and interviews with figures like Seth Godin, James Clear, and Refik Anadol. Far from a dry technical manual, the book transforms abstract datasets into relatable narratives, proving data’s capacity to “make us more human” (Lupi). I didn't really anticipate the artistic value of this book. I've read tons of books on data, but none are like this!
Strengths
- Visual Innovation: The book’s kaleidoscopic design—unexpected for a data-centric text—elevates complex ideas into accessible, even whimsical, visual essays. Lupi’s signature style (reminiscent of her Dear Data project) turns bar charts and algorithms into art.
- Interdisciplinary Lens: By juxtaposing perspectives (e.g., Paola Antonelli on data-as-art vs. Kate Crawford on AI ethics), the authors reveal data’s contested role across fields. The “Modern Love-style” approach personalizes stats, as in Lupi’s reflection on long COVID.
- Provocative Interviews: Standout dialogues include John Maeda on emergency data visualization and Sougwen Chung on human-AI collaboration, challenging readers to see data as a creative medium. I don't think that's a very common perspective (at least in my field of public health).
Critiques
- Depth vs. Breadth: While the 17 interviews offer wide-ranging insights, some topics (e.g., climate activism) could benefit from deeper analysis beyond soundbites.
- Niche Appeal: The heavy reliance on visuals, though stunning, may distract readers seeking traditional textual analysis.
How I would describe this book:
- Speak Data turns spreadsheets into poetry—proof that numbers can feel.
- A visual feast for data skeptics and enthusiasts alike—like Humans of New York meets Big Data.
- Lupi and Cox redefine data literacy as a life skill—playful, profound, and deeply human.
- Perfect for fans of Atomic Habits and Invisible Women—where stats meet soul.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to Chronicle Books for the advance review copy. Lupi and Cox’s work exemplifies the publisher’s commitment to reimagining scholarly discourse through design.
Conclusion
Speak Data is a triumph of form and function, merging rigorous research with artistic flair. While its fragmented structure may frustrate purists, the book’s core thesis—that data is “the most powerful force in society” and a canvas for empathy—resonates urgently. A must-read for graphic designers, educators, and anyone curious about the invisible systems shaping our lives.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) — A visually dazzling, thought-provoking manifesto with minor trade-offs in analytical depth.
June 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.
I work with data every day so I'm obviously someone who thinks data is fun and spreadsheets are beautiful, so I was intrigued by this book.
The book starts with the statement that data is the most powerful force in the world and I don't feel like it really proves that at all. I do agree that data is everywhere and that it's important, but I think that is way overinflating its importance in the world in a pretty tone deaf way.
The designs in the book are of course beautiful, but I often felt like they were overshadowing the book. Felt like one of those data visualizations that's very pretty, but unnecessarily complicated to read.
I work with data every day so I'm obviously someone who thinks data is fun and spreadsheets are beautiful, so I was intrigued by this book.
The book starts with the statement that data is the most powerful force in the world and I don't feel like it really proves that at all. I do agree that data is everywhere and that it's important, but I think that is way overinflating its importance in the world in a pretty tone deaf way.
The designs in the book are of course beautiful, but I often felt like they were overshadowing the book. Felt like one of those data visualizations that's very pretty, but unnecessarily complicated to read.
December 23, 2025
RATING 2.47 STARS
This was an intriguing read for me, until I read it. I like to nerd out sometimes and this seemed like a great book to get under the shiny exterior of the concept of "data" - especially with the heavy emphasis of data and data centers these days.
Unfortunately, this really devolved into an exercise of key data figures saying the quiet part out loud.
Long story short: data is neutral, but when it is presented correctly, we can rule the world. (And we should because obviously we are smarter than you.)
*Insert eye roll here*
This was an intriguing read for me, until I read it. I like to nerd out sometimes and this seemed like a great book to get under the shiny exterior of the concept of "data" - especially with the heavy emphasis of data and data centers these days.
Unfortunately, this really devolved into an exercise of key data figures saying the quiet part out loud.
Long story short: data is neutral, but when it is presented correctly, we can rule the world. (And we should because obviously we are smarter than you.)
*Insert eye roll here*
June 3, 2025
Interesting concept. I had great expectations and there were some inspiring moments but the book quickly became repetitive, disconnected, and disproportionately centered on polarized COVID discussions. The graphical representation of the data was the strongest aspect of the book.
December 31, 2025
This was...not what I expected. Rather than a book where people used data to tell stories or reveal insights, it was a bunch of people talking ABOUT data. Not specific data, or information derived from data, but just, like, DATA. Sort of interesting, I suppose, if that's your thing. It's not mine.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews