Seeing is understanding – how complex ideas are communicated through graphics. Information Graphics by Taschen Verlag

‘If you cannot explain something in simple terms, you didn't understand it’ - Albert Einstein

All of us are exposed to vast amount of information impacting on our everyday lives, which we have to (more or less) interpret ourselves in order to make sense of the world around us. And in order to keep it all as simple as possible – we prefer things to be visual (not only when it comes to GoSee).

The book takes a look at the work of 'masters' of the genre, whose visual creations extended the human capability of communication. However, 'Information Graphics' was not just developed for professionals but also for everyone who is keen to learn more about the history and application of visual communication.

The illustrated introduction includes essays by Sandra Rendgen, Paolo Ciuccarelli, Richard Saul Wurman and Simon Rogers. Starting off with primitive cave paintings, the introduction gives you a great overview of the sheer breadth of communication through visuals.

The second part of the book is dedicated to contemporary 'stars' of the profession. 200 graphic projects are introduced, including fact sheets and an explanation of methods and goals. Quite the exciting read – and you learn lots of fascinating things about crazy 21st century life.

In a nutshell:

- 200 projects and more than 400 examples of contemporary information graphics from all over the world – about politics, economy, cultural industry, media, education systems and more.

- profound text features on the development of information graphics since the early days

− An exclusive poster (67 x 48cm) by Nigel Holmes, who revolutionises the application of info-graphics during his two decades as director of graphics for TIME US-Magazine.


Author Sandra Rendgen is an art historian and has worked in the print sector as well as in interactive media. After graduating from Amsterdam and Berlin she worked as a freelance photo editor for Vanity Fair, Welt am Sonntag and TASCHEN’s Interiors Now!. In her role as editor she developed interactive media installations for museums and institutions.

Brazlian-born editor Julius Wiedemann moved to Japan after graduating in graphic design and marketing. He worked in Tokyo as an art editor for digital media and design magazines.

His TASCHEN publications from the digital and media series include ‘Illustration Now!’, ‘Advertising Now’, ‘Logo Design’ and ‘Brand Identity Now!’.