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Data Sketches: A journey of imagination, exploration, and beautiful data visualizations
In
Data Sketches
, Nadieh Bremer and Shirley Wu document the deeply creative process behind 24 unique data visualization projects, and they combine this with powerful technical insights which reveal the mindset behind coding creatively. Exploring 12 different themes - from the Olympics to Presidents & Royals and from Movies to Myths & Legends - each pair of visualizations explores different technologies and forms, blurring the boundary between visualization as an exploratory tool and an artform in its own right. This beautiful book provides an intimate, behind-the-scenes account of all 24 projects and shares the authors' personal notes and drafts every step of the way.
The book features:
Detailed information on data gathering, sketching, and coding data visualizations for the web, with screenshots of works-in-progress and reproductions from the authors' notebooks Never-before-published technical write-ups, with beginner-friendly explanations of core data visualization concepts Practical lessons based on the data and design challenges overcome during each project Full-color pages, showcasing all 24 final data visualizations This book is perfect for anyone interested or working in data visualization and information design, and especially those who want to take their work to the next level and are inspired by unique and compelling data-driven storytelling.
The book features:
Detailed information on data gathering, sketching, and coding data visualizations for the web, with screenshots of works-in-progress and reproductions from the authors' notebooks Never-before-published technical write-ups, with beginner-friendly explanations of core data visualization concepts Practical lessons based on the data and design challenges overcome during each project Full-color pages, showcasing all 24 final data visualizations This book is perfect for anyone interested or working in data visualization and information design, and especially those who want to take their work to the next level and are inspired by unique and compelling data-driven storytelling.
Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2021
24 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 17, 2021
If you're into Data Visualization, there's a good chance you already know Nadieh's and Shirley's work. They are widely regarded today as two of the most prominent (and creative) members of the flourishing Data Visualization community. When writing about the opposition of "orthodoxy and eccentricity" in data visualization, Alberto Cairo declares that "Nadieh Bremer and Shirley Wu are wondrous eccentrics. Their splendid book is the product of a collaborative experimental project, Data Sketches, that might be one of the first exponents of an emerging visualization orthodoxy in which uniqueness is paramount and templates and conventions are seen with skepticism".
The structure of their collaboration, as they recount in the book, was simple: "12 months, 12 topics, 12 projects each. We would gather our own data, create our own design, and code our visualizations from scratch, while also documenting the whole process".
And that last bit was what really got me hooked and fascinated about them, when I discovered their work, a few years ago: for each project, they (generously, openly) wrote detailed write-ups, full with sketches, ideas, bits of code, prototypes. It was so inspiring, I dare say they inspired a whole generation of data visualization practioners.
When I heard they would be publishing the write-ups (and extending them) into a big, coffee table book, I knew I had to have it at home.
The book is part memoir (mostly), part technical book, part design book. You won't "learn" data visualization with it (although you might learn some interesting concepts, tips and interesting approaches). But you'll dive into the process of two brilliant professionals. And, most important of all: you'll definitely get inspired to learn more, to experiment more, to try different approaches, wherever you are in your dataviz journey.
I loved this book so so much. I had read some of the write-ups online when they came out, but having them "materialized" in such a beautiful form gives them another dimension. Sometimes stuff on the web seems so "impermanent", and I think the book really honors the work, the dedication, the generosity of sharing, teaching and opening up. In the last few weeks, when my wife and kids were fast asleep, I would sneak into the office (because you need a table to read such an ENORMOUS book) and read a couple of chapters, savoring it all. It was so delightful, it was like listening with the mind to these wonderful people recounting their ideas, their excitement, their frustrations, like I was listening to two friends talking about their latest exciting projects, their joys, their challenges.
The structure of their collaboration, as they recount in the book, was simple: "12 months, 12 topics, 12 projects each. We would gather our own data, create our own design, and code our visualizations from scratch, while also documenting the whole process".
And that last bit was what really got me hooked and fascinated about them, when I discovered their work, a few years ago: for each project, they (generously, openly) wrote detailed write-ups, full with sketches, ideas, bits of code, prototypes. It was so inspiring, I dare say they inspired a whole generation of data visualization practioners.
When I heard they would be publishing the write-ups (and extending them) into a big, coffee table book, I knew I had to have it at home.
The book is part memoir (mostly), part technical book, part design book. You won't "learn" data visualization with it (although you might learn some interesting concepts, tips and interesting approaches). But you'll dive into the process of two brilliant professionals. And, most important of all: you'll definitely get inspired to learn more, to experiment more, to try different approaches, wherever you are in your dataviz journey.
I loved this book so so much. I had read some of the write-ups online when they came out, but having them "materialized" in such a beautiful form gives them another dimension. Sometimes stuff on the web seems so "impermanent", and I think the book really honors the work, the dedication, the generosity of sharing, teaching and opening up. In the last few weeks, when my wife and kids were fast asleep, I would sneak into the office (because you need a table to read such an ENORMOUS book) and read a couple of chapters, savoring it all. It was so delightful, it was like listening with the mind to these wonderful people recounting their ideas, their excitement, their frustrations, like I was listening to two friends talking about their latest exciting projects, their joys, their challenges.
August 7, 2021
Nadieh and Shirley are masters at their craft and their innovative, creative and curious approach to data visualization has inspired a lot of people coming into the field.
I’ve been following this work for a while and when I’ve heard they were releasing a book I had to get it.
It didn’t disappoint, the book is an honest and earnest journey through the process of creating several visualizations. Each project is beautifully documented, showing us when their ideas didn’t work, how they pivoted or fixed the issues and finally the end product.
It’s a beautiful book for anyone interested in data visualization. I would recommend it specially for beginners or people in the middle of their careers since the problems and issues Nadieh and Shirley face can be quite common and it’s a bit inspiring to see them work through the obstacles and create beautiful work.
The only “downsize” is that this book is quite large and it’s not that easy to store, nevertheless that size is well used filling the book with full color images and pictures.
I’ve been following this work for a while and when I’ve heard they were releasing a book I had to get it.
It didn’t disappoint, the book is an honest and earnest journey through the process of creating several visualizations. Each project is beautifully documented, showing us when their ideas didn’t work, how they pivoted or fixed the issues and finally the end product.
It’s a beautiful book for anyone interested in data visualization. I would recommend it specially for beginners or people in the middle of their careers since the problems and issues Nadieh and Shirley face can be quite common and it’s a bit inspiring to see them work through the obstacles and create beautiful work.
The only “downsize” is that this book is quite large and it’s not that easy to store, nevertheless that size is well used filling the book with full color images and pictures.
June 18, 2025
Review in English • en Français • en Español
This book is A-MA-ZING. I’m someone who gets by with some marginal knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and lots of searches on the web; this book is absolutely accessible. The thorough description of the process of creation is the most valuable aspect as it demystifies the work necessary to achieve results. The chapters, dedicated to one project each, show all kinds of paths or starting points one can have when taking on one’s own designs and ideas as well as the problems and cleaning steps needed to debug the data visualizations. It’s a gem.
—
Ce livre est IN-CROY-ABLE. Je suis quelqu’un qui se débrouille avec quelques connaissances rudimentaires en HTML, JavaScript et CSS ainsi qu’avec de nombreuses recherches sur le web; ce livre est tout à fait accessible. La description détaillée du processus de création est son aspect le plus précieux, car elle démystifie le travail nécessaire pour obtenir des résultats. Les chapitres, chacun dédié à un projets, illustrent toutes sortes de pistes et de points de départ pour concrétiser ses propres créations et idées puis les problèmes et étapes de nettoyage nécessaires pour debugger les visualisations de données. C’est un joyau.
—
Este libro es IN-CRE-Í-BLE. Para alguien con conocimientos básicos de HTML, JavaScript y CSS, además de mucha investigación web, este libro es completamente accesible. La descripción detallada del proceso de creación es su aspecto más valioso, ya que desmitifica el trabajo necesario para lograr resultados. Los capítulos, cada uno dedicado a un proyecto, ilustran diversas rutas y puntos de partida para materializar sus propias creaciones e ideas, así como los problemas y los pasos de limpieza necesarios para depurar las visualizaciones de datos. Es una joya.
This book is A-MA-ZING. I’m someone who gets by with some marginal knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and lots of searches on the web; this book is absolutely accessible. The thorough description of the process of creation is the most valuable aspect as it demystifies the work necessary to achieve results. The chapters, dedicated to one project each, show all kinds of paths or starting points one can have when taking on one’s own designs and ideas as well as the problems and cleaning steps needed to debug the data visualizations. It’s a gem.
—
Ce livre est IN-CROY-ABLE. Je suis quelqu’un qui se débrouille avec quelques connaissances rudimentaires en HTML, JavaScript et CSS ainsi qu’avec de nombreuses recherches sur le web; ce livre est tout à fait accessible. La description détaillée du processus de création est son aspect le plus précieux, car elle démystifie le travail nécessaire pour obtenir des résultats. Les chapitres, chacun dédié à un projets, illustrent toutes sortes de pistes et de points de départ pour concrétiser ses propres créations et idées puis les problèmes et étapes de nettoyage nécessaires pour debugger les visualisations de données. C’est un joyau.
—
Este libro es IN-CRE-Í-BLE. Para alguien con conocimientos básicos de HTML, JavaScript y CSS, además de mucha investigación web, este libro es completamente accesible. La descripción detallada del proceso de creación es su aspecto más valioso, ya que desmitifica el trabajo necesario para lograr resultados. Los capítulos, cada uno dedicado a un proyecto, ilustran diversas rutas y puntos de partida para materializar sus propias creaciones e ideas, así como los problemas y los pasos de limpieza necesarios para depurar las visualizaciones de datos. Es una joya.
June 3, 2024
Read the first few chapters thoroughly, then skimmed the rest. Super cool concept and commendations to them on all this documentation, transparency, and follow through. The lessons were really nice and a great touch.
I think it left something to be desired design/aesthetically — I understand that they have technical backgrounds, but it was missing some visual refinement for me. I also think that they ended up falling into the same visual patterns: radial displays, constellations/networks/circles, chords, generative art.
I was hoping for some more interactivity and creative translation perhaps, but this I think is really incredible work and a great direction for creative data vis in general.
I think it left something to be desired design/aesthetically — I understand that they have technical backgrounds, but it was missing some visual refinement for me. I also think that they ended up falling into the same visual patterns: radial displays, constellations/networks/circles, chords, generative art.
I was hoping for some more interactivity and creative translation perhaps, but this I think is really incredible work and a great direction for creative data vis in general.
December 16, 2022
Content-wise, I found this book quite interesting. There are lots of interesting projects and stories behind those projects. However, I had a hard time following the projects throughout the book. Many of the photos incorporated text that were very small and hard to read. I felt that the explanations for the projects glossed over more in depth information that could have better enhanced one’s understanding about the technologies/applications used to create the visualizations (for those who are not familiar with data visualization/analysis).
April 16, 2025
Nicely produced book (though it could've used another proofread as there was some weird spacing issues/line breaks) that showcases the incredible project that was Data Sketches. Both Nadieh and Shirley very generously share their experiences working on that project in great detail. I was surprised (and relieved) to read about how much of their work involved manual data gathering or decision-making. Pretty inspiring by two very talented and influential figures in the field of data viz!
May 17, 2021
An exquisitely designed and produced book! It is obviously intended entirely for data visualizers just like the talented authors.
December 8, 2024
I wish I knew it focused so much on coding, but definitely an interesting read
June 19, 2021
Tried to read the Kindle version of this on both a Kindle and iPad and it’s almost unreadable. Tiny type and low contrast design that you can’t zoom in on. Not great.
The content of the book is amazing and it’s really well put together in physical format, so maybe give the totally well put together non-digital format a go instead.
The content of the book is amazing and it’s really well put together in physical format, so maybe give the totally well put together non-digital format a go instead.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews