Information Graphic inspiration from Info We Trust #042

Information Graphic Inspiration #042

Russian Isotype + bivariate colors + Visionaries triumph!

This week's inspiration: USSR Pictorial Statistics Album
In 1939, the Soviet Union presented An album illustrating the state organization and national economy of the U.S.S.R. at the World's Fair in New York.

It touts the strength of Russia's fast-emerging world power with integrated thematic maps, abstract charts, pictorial statistics, illustrations, and photography.

See how the below "Electrification" perfectly balances the opening shape of the chart with the curving arc of the hydroelectric plant. Don't miss how its broken timeline (conveniently?) skips WW1 and the revolution:

New archival photography of over 100 pages from the album are now available from David Rumsey. The album's associated pub. note explains that "In 1931 Otto Neurath helped the Soviet authorities establish an institute of pictorial statistics in Moscow. It was named the 'All-Union Institute of Pictorial Statistics of Soviet Construction and Economy' or, more commonly, the Izostat Institute."

The below "Coal mining industry" tableau presents the most catching line chart I've seen in a long time. See how the coal theme is represented by the black background. Notice how the negative space in the chart is put to work by hosting the inset thematic map, and how that map does not interfere with the rise of that bright yellow line.

I love how Russian red is used on the horizontal axis timeline to indicate the beginning of the Soviet Union with the 1917 revolution. Wow!

Special thanks to David Rumsey for collecting rare data visualization like this, and sharing them with the world in super high resolution. It is worth browsing the entire album to learn how to integrate many visual disciplines to construct powerful messages: DavidRumsey

And thanks to Jason Forrest (Twitter) who originally directed my attention to the Soviet album. He recently published a stand-out COVID vaccine map for McKinsey. My favorite part is how charmingly it explains how a bivariate color palette works:

Visit the McKinsey's COVID-tracker to explore the interactive map and a slick packed-bubble scatter plot: McKinsey vaccine map

Goal!
I am tremendously proud to let you know that the crowdfunding campaign to create Information Graphic Visionaries blew through its required $65,000 goal earlier today. Let's make these books!

The entire data viz community has showed up in a big way for this campaign. But it is far from over. We still have 26 days left to keep telling the world about the magic and passion and power of information graphics.

And the world is listening. Backers have arrived from 29 different countries, so far, to support the campaign. Popular outlets have covered the campaign. Here are some of my favorite quips from our first week of coverage:

"honors the lives and legacies of three figures who fundamentally altered the way we communicate and organize data" —COLOSSAL

"masters of data illumination." —PRINT

"[An] important aspect of elevating the craft of data visualization is creating profoundly beautiful work that inspires." —NIGHTINGALE | DVS

These articles, campaign updates, and the opportunity to back Information Graphic Visionaries at a campaign exclusive discount are all available at our:

I am grateful for your support. I am emboldened by your enthusiasm. It has all rushed in after so much intense, concentrated, and isolated work. Thank you.

Onward! -RJ

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