Design for Information: An Introduction to the Histories, Theories, and Best Practices Behind Effective Information Visualizations
"Meirelles (Northeaster Univ.) has made an important contribution to the field of information design. In the 1980s and 1990s Edward Tufte wroteVisual Display of Quantitative Information(CH, Nov'83),Envisioning Information(CH, Nov'90, 28-1398), and Visual Explanations(CH, Jul'97, 34-6236). Not since Tufte's work has a book on information design promised such an advance. The key here is the careful classification of information into six kinds of "structures." These are reflected by the six chapter titles: "Hierarchical Structures: Trees"; "Relational Structures: Networks"; "Temporal Structures: Timelines and Flows"; "Spatial Structures: Maps"; "Spatio-Temporal Structures"; and "Textual Structures." Very well illustrated and well written, this book will probably become the benchmark for teaching information design. With an appendix, detailed bibliography, and comprehensive index, this is a key resource in the field. It also makes a contribution to general graphic design theory, as its structural classification can be extended to all kinds of visual communication. Summing Up: Essential." -Choice