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The Functional Art: An introduction to information graphics and visualization
book

The Functional Art: An introduction to information graphics and visualization

by Alberto Cairo
August 2012
Beginner
384 pages
8h 28m
English
New Riders
Content preview from The Functional Art: An introduction to information graphics and visualization

2. Forms and Functions: Visualization as a Technology

The usefulness of a graph can be evaluated only in the context of the type of data, the questions the designer wants the readers to answer, and the nature of the audience.

Stephen M. Kosslyn, from Graph Design for the Eye and Mind

The fact that an information graphic is designed to help us complete certain intellectual tasks is what distinguishes it from fine art. Rather than serving as a means for the artist to express her inner world and feelings, an infographic or visualization strives for objectivity, precision, and functionality, as well as beauty. In short:

The function constrains the form.

In this chapter I will explore this idea and its usefulness for infographics and visualization, ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780133041187Purchase book