I read anything that Edward Tufte writes. This “father of data visualization” has taught classes at Yale on the subject for decades. His books have also taught the reading public how to present data more effectively in the digital age. This work represents his fifth book. While his other books focus on getting the data right, this one’s subject meanders around transforming presentations into a form of art that provokes an audience response.
I enjoyed this book, and it certainly compares favorably with other authors’ books in the field of information visualization. Nonetheless, it’s not as compelling and paradigm-shifting as some of Tufte’s earlier works. Of course, the earlier works changed the entire landscape of how the material was taught, so that bar represents a high standard.
Nonetheless, it offers more tips on how to create a positive, lasting effect through a data-filled presentation. Some of Tufte’s earlier hallmarks are present: He shows ways to deviate around a work culture fascinated with Microsoft PowerPoint. Instead, he suggests handouts and reading time during the start of meetings. He even suggests that such an approach will cut down on meeting times by 10-20%!
Science and data geeks, like me, who spend their lives trying to express what they’ve learned in the depths of numbers, can benefit from anything Tufte writes. This book is no exception. He reminds us that as readers and listeners, we have to look at the finer points of any presentation; as presenters, we have to make sure our presentation actually conveys what we intend to convey. White space, placement, annotations, and the like – all expounded on clearly in this book – can teach us to see the world more clearly as the title suggests… with fresh eyes.
Seeing with Fresh Eyes: Meaning, Space, Data, Truth
By Edward Tufte
Copyright (c) 2020
Graphics Press
ISBN13 9781930824003
Page Count: 176
Genre: Visualization
www.amazon.com