“Data is plural. Data is many.” A Three-Part Manifesto on Illustrating Data by Pirita Tolvanen

Sometimes the most interesting people reach out to me. Recently, I heard from Pirita Tolvanen, a Finnish Illustrator & Information Designer, who informed me that for the last couple of years she has conducted a research project about data visualization and nonfiction picture books. This originated as an independent project, though she started it as a Fulbright scholar at the Simmons University’s Center for the Study of Children’s Literature in Boston, MA, USA, back in 2022.

As an outcome of t...