0321834739

Praise for The Functional Art
“Welcome to Alberto’s world. Cairo has done it all in e Functional Art: eory, Practice,
Examples. And he’s done it brilliantly. It is the most comprehensive and sensible book
yet on real-world information graphics. We won’t need another one for a long time.”
—Nigel Holmes
“If graphic designer Nigel Holmes and data visualizer Edward Tue had a child, his
name would be Alberto Cairo. In e Functional Art, accomplished graphics journalist
Cairo injects the chaotic world of infographics with a mature, thoughtful, and sci-
entifically grounded perspective that it sorely needs. With extraordinary grace and
clarity, Cairo seamlessly unites infographic form and function in a design philosophy
that should endure for generations.”
—Stephen Few, Author of Show Me the Numbers
“is book is long overdue. Whether you’re just geing started visualizing information
or have been doing it all your life, whether your topic is business, science, politics,
sports or even your personal finances, and whether you’re looking for a basic under-
standing of visualization or a detailed how-to reference, this is the book you were
looking for. Alberto Cairo, a professional journalist, information designer and artist,
shows how to visualize anything in a simple, straightforward, and intelligent way.”
— Karl Gude, former infographics director at Newsweek and graphics editor in
residence at the School of Journalism, Michigan State University
“e Functional Art is brilliant, didactic, and entertaining. I own dozens of books on
visual information, but Cairo’s is already on the shortlist of five that I recommend to
anybody that wishes to have a career in information graphics, along with those by
Edward Tue, Nigel Holmes, and Richard Saul Wurman. Cairo is one of those rare
professionals who have been able to combine real-world experience with the academia.”
—Mario Tascón, director of the Spanish consulting firm Prodigioso Volcán
“Using his enormous professional and academic experience, Alberto Cairo offers a
first-hand look at the revolution in visual communication. is book is key to under-
standing the current situation of print and online information design.”
—Javier Zarracina, graphics director at e Boston Globe
“e Functional Art is the perfect starting point for a career in information graphics and
visualization, and also an excellent guide for those who already have some experience
in the area. is is the first real textbook on infographics.”
— Chiqui Esteban, director of new media narratives at lainformacion.com, and
blogger at InfographicsNews

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IL
40%
45%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
DC
MA
CO
MS
WV
NH
MD
NJ
CT
VT
VA
MN
CA
UT
NY
KS
WA
MO
AZ
GA
IL
RI
DE
HI
IN
KY
MS
AR
WV
AK
WI
OR
FL
MT
SD
PA
ND
NM
SC
NE
OH
NV
TX
MI
IA
TN
ME
ID
NC
OK
WY
LA
AL
NC
SD
DE
ND
MD
NE
ME
OR
FL
ID
WI
VA
WY
NH
RI
MN
AK
AZ
CA
NY
NJ
VT
MA
MT
HI
CT
UT
NV
DC
CO
SC
KY
LA
TX
MI
TN
MO
OK
AR
GA
IN
KS
OH
PA
IA
Population with a
BA degree or higher
Percentage of
obese people
AL
States with a larger
percentage of people with
higher education than
with obesity
States with a larger
percentage of obese people
than of people with
a higher education
US average
27.2%
BA or higher
27.0%
Obese
WA
NM
alberto cairo
an introduction to
information graphics
and visualization
the
functional
art

The Functional Art
An introduction to information graphics and visualization
Alberto Cairo
New Riders
1249 Eighth Street
Berkeley, CA 94710
510/524-2178
510/524-2221 (fax)
Find us on the Web at: www.newriders.com
To report errors, please send a note to [e-mail]
New Riders is an imprint of Peachpit, a division of Pearson Education.
Copyright © 2013 by Alberto Cairo
Acquisitions Editor: Nikki Echler McDonald
Production Editor: Tracey Croom
Development Editor: Cathy Lane
Proofer: Liz Welch
Composition: Kim Sco, Bumpy Design
Indexer: FireCrystal Communications
Interior Designer: Mimi He
Cover Designer: Mimi He, with Alberto Cairo
Media Producer: Eric Geoffroy
Video Producers: Amy Van Vechten, Andrew Wallace
Notice of Rights
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmied in any form by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior wrien
permission of the publisher. For information on geing permission for reprints and excerpts, contact
[e-mail].
Notice of Liability
e information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis without warranty. While every precau-
tion has been taken in the preparation of the book, neither the author nor Peachpit shall have any
liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused
directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this book or by the computer soware and
hardware products described in it.
Trademarks
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed
as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and Peachpit was aware of a trademark
claim, the designations appear as requested by the owner of the trademark. All other product names
and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of
such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. No such use, or the use of any
trade name, is intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book.
ISBN 13: 978-0-321-83473-7
ISBN 10: 0-321-83473-9
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed and bound in the United States of America