The Secret Language of Maps: How to Tell Visual Stories with Data

by Carissa Carter, Stanford d.school, Jeremy Nguyen (Illustrator)

Maps aren’t just geographic, they are also infographic and include all types of frameworks and diagrams. Any figure that sorts data visually and presents it spatially is a map. Maps are ways of organizing information and figuring out what’s important. Even stories can be mapped! The Secret Language of Maps provides a simple framework to deconstruct existing maps and then shows you how to create your own.

An embedded mystery story about a woman who investigates the disappearance of an old high school friend illustrates how to use different maps to make sense of all types of information. Colorful illustrations bring the story to life and demonstrate how the fictional character’s collection of data, properly organized and “mapped,” leads her to solve the mystery of her friend’s disappearance.

You’ll learn how to gather data, organize it, and present it to an audience. You’ll also learn how to view the many maps that swirl around our daily lives with a critical eye, aware of the forces that are in play for every creator.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Communication, Mystery

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2022

Reviews

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book helpful in thinking more deeply about the various aspects of any piece of visual communication (I would say “infographic” rather than “map,” but the author clearly liked the idea that Venn diagrams and bar graphs are “maps”; agree to disagree). The presentation of information in visual form always includes data, craft, and bias. For me, the final part of the book gave the most interesting information. In that section, the author explains ways to begin investigation starting from any of the three areas of visual communication. Her suggested exercises will be helpful in navigating research data in interesting ways. I also appreciate the book’s consistent encouragement toward audience-centered communication. Know your audience, and anticipate the questions they have and the perspectives they bring.

Much of the book contains—I’m not making this up—a murder mystery story. It felt like unnecessary clutter. I don’t think anything the book teaches would be diminished by removing the fictional narrative. Every time the book stopped to give another section of the mystery story, I felt great annoyance. And after all the rigamarole of the story and its various “maps,” what was the point of the bar chart about maple syrup? So frustrating.

[Puty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice idea to explain data visualization through fiction! Nicely designed and illustrated. Recommended as starter to understand data visualization, but if you're more on 'advance' level, you might not need this book. Still, the fiction part is enjoyable.

[Amadeus Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, fun, to the point. This book is about the concept of mapping data with bias and craft. Really cute story guided me through a couple concepts, and I’m thinking this would be a really good book to have as a reference for when you get stuck :)

My short quick and dirty of it: when youre stuck, experiment with the relationships between the data that you’ve collected, it uncovers new questions and new insights. These, collected into a single place, has the power to convince, manipulate, inform, inspire an audience (design at its core).

Nothing groundbreaking, but it takes a complex skill and translates it to something accessible and palatable - nothing I wouldn’t expect out of a d.school book. Would be interested to learn about the maps, frameworks, and diagrams that the authors have made over their time as designers - especially as I am doing much of that right now.

[Dalton Akos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this would be an excellent addition to the syllabus of Jonathan Sugg’s cartography class. Easy and creative.

[addison ☾ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was okay i had to read it for a speaking class yayyyyyyy

[Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know what to expect with this book. It was somehow both captivating and educational. I truly enjoyed the graphics, the explanations and, of course, the engaging story. It's a great book that I'm glad to have in my home library.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a lot of very positive things. It's clearly written information with a creative presentation, which makes it far more accessible than most academic books. It's readable and engaging.

What it's not is a book on maps. I went into it thinking it was, given the title and description, but cartographers would spend a great deal of this book just blinking and wondering when the stuff on maps would start. Instead, it's a book on infographics. Those internet-age-ubiquitous visual charts and graphs, made pretty with icons or pretty colors. For that, this book is fantastic as a primer. Lots of stuff on data visualization.

But not so much on maps.

The author makes clear very early on that her definition of "a map" isn't what most of us would think of as the foldy thing you got from gas stations and AAA in the 90's, but anything that visually portrays and synthesizes data visually...which, okay? Not a map? Maps may be *A* data visualization, but to me, not all data visualizations are maps. Venn diagram, et. al..

(Also, tangentially, the murder mystery that the info's woven into is intriguing, at first, but in the end, is wholly unsatisfying. Most of the "investigation" happens off-page, and ends up being just one long example in the last two informative chapters. I still love that it was included at all -- it kept me reading even when I figured out that the actual topic wasn't for me. I just wish that it'd been handled just a little more artfully before the time jump.)

I think if reader expectations were more properly managed, this would be an easy 4+ star book for folks looking to make infographics -- but for those looking for the secret language of actual maps, this isn't it, folks.

[Sandy Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a creative book, with interesting data practices and a murder mystery intertwined! Very original and fun to read.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who is this book for? There were moments where it seemed to be a teaching help for high schoolers and other moments where it seemed geared toward businesses. I have a degree in Geography, so I know maps, and this book is pretty useless. It gives a basic overview of the idea that maps are a way to visually express data and explains bias in both map making and map viewing but has no real depth to it. It gives no practical information about how to view and understand maps or how to actually make a map. It gives a bizarre narrative about a girl solving a mystery with maps and other data, which cool, but also seemed like a very odd way to express what it was trying to say. This book just annoyed me.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was around 3.5 stars for me.

This book is largely narratively lead. The fictional story within the book is then dissected throughout the book to show how that data can be presented. There's beautiful infographics and break downs of how to collect information and various ways to share that information. The book touches on how colors and format can play a role and talks about bias in data mapping.

Overall an interesting book, but not what I was expecting.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes since data visualization is something I do every day, but the information portions were not very useful or insightful. The murder mystery was not engaging so I skipped it. I enjoyed the illustrations though.

[Carolyn Bragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating approach; how to map information of ANY KIND. The primary example provided here is a cold case of a murder. From identifying maps vs random bits of writing, to labeling and constructing different forms, types, and styles of maps. As well as the motivations and agendas of the map makers.

Whether you are viewing or creating a map, your bias transfers to it, and the viewer’s interpretation is altered by theirs. Who is the map meant for? Where and in what context? If it says “You Are Here,” it works best in the proper location. Is it for a crowd, a group, or an individual? A special target group, or anyone who sees it?

As you can see, it’s a lot to cover, but the author does it skillfully—with pages of the murder mystery interspersed—through the text and chart/map examples. I could be confusing, but it isn’t.

I was excited to read this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed both the familiar and new, as we explored why and how we map information for ourselves as a reference, and others as a tool or guide.

5/5 Stars

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the free preview of this ebook; the review is voluntary.

#TheSecretLanguageofMaps #NetGalley
#ClarksonPotterTenSpeedPress

Note to publishers
I’m glad I noticed and looked into this book despite the cover, because I really enjoyed it! Unfortunately, it currently looks like an over-sized paperback workbook found among stacks of required college text books. (I hope the true cover of the book is more attractive, and hopefully not to include the amorphous figures with shapes on their heads!) I understand their importance to the illustrations, but they are a little creepy sometimes. Perhaps the final cover could be blurred or distant charts/maps in faded shades of pleasant colors on a white background? I can hope!

[Courtney R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Secret Language of Maps: How to Tell Visual Stories with Data" by Carissa Carter is a thought-provoking exploration of the power of maps as a means of visual storytelling. Carter's expertise and passion for the subject shine through, offering readers a comprehensive guide to creating compelling and informative maps. This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection of data visualization and narrative.

One of the book's standout features is Carter's emphasis on the narrative potential of maps. She expertly guides readers through the process of transforming data into meaningful visual stories, providing practical tips and techniques along the way. The inclusion of real-world examples and case studies adds depth to the narrative, demonstrating the effectiveness of visual storytelling in conveying complex information.

Carter's writing style is clear and engaging, making even the most technical aspects of map-making accessible to a wide audience. Her thoughtful explanations and step-by-step guidance provide a solid foundation for readers looking to embark on their own map-making journey. The book's structure is well-organized, allowing for a seamless progression from basic concepts to more advanced techniques.

While the book covers a wide range of topics related to map-making, some readers may find themselves wanting more in-depth discussions on specific advanced techniques or tools. However, "The Secret Language of Maps" serves as an excellent starting point for those looking to harness the power of visual storytelling through cartography. Carissa Carter's expertise and passion for the subject make this book a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in data visualization and map-making.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Brigitte Ayerves Valderas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The goal of The Secret Language of Maps is to learn how to identify hidden meanings of data to tell compelling stories. The book uses storytelling to guide the reader and elaborate on its objective. It helps the reader understand how effective maps are at displaying and understanding information.

The format of this instructional guide is intriguing. I like how it starts with a who-done-it murder mystery woven throughout the book. The mystery uses maps to support and discuss significant concepts like craft, bias, and data. Overall, the book uses a lot of imagery besides maps, which makes it less monotonous.

For me, the most significant takeaways were the techniques to make data moveable and modular to make observations and develop insights. I believe you can apply the methods to any research to help you gather all the findings you've worked on and process what you've read.

My only concern is how "map" is defined. In the book, Carter references informational and geographical maps. However, several varieties of maps exist, which she acknowledges. Nevertheless, I think the author should have dedicated a chapter in the book to providing more context as to what maps are and what they are not and addressing the different types of maps.

Overall, I found the book's presentation and delivery of information impressive and fascinating, and I look forward to applying the techniques I've learned.

[Brooke Dilling · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides concepts about data/maps I didn’t think about before. I liked how the author attempted to tie it to a mystery story.

While the data concepts were useful, the mystery was weak. The author didn’t do a good job of explaining how the data tied to solving the cold case. She didn’t explain the outliers in the data of the mystery either. Red Herrings? Weak storyline? How did all of the evidence lead to the murder/cold case? How was it all tied together? Why go into so much detail about bad data sets — sugar in coke vs maple syrup or a really high amount of scholarship money when in the end you aren’t going to bring it back together for the reader?

Also — the weird sexual tension between Robby and Marion they was left unresolved was also weak and annoying. If you start something finish it.

I would have also liked for the author to talk more about combining two data sets to get to a new result — more complicated and — perhaps folks need more stats skills to pull this off?

(Also there is a typo in the book. On pg 63 “what agendas live in Marlow’s evidence” should really be “Marion’s evidence”…. While the character’s last name is Marlow - Throughout the rest of the book she’s just called Marion.

[Manuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an interesting book, with many visuals, easy to read content and a nice story to complement

This is a quick read and light read. I would definitely recommend getting a paper copy instead of a digital one due to the great visuals it has. I can see it as being a cool decoration book to have as well. It gives a nice introduction to data visualization, great for those people without any knowledge on the subject and who want to tip their toes on it. Though a enjoyed the short story she used to explain the content, I felt the back and forth a little hard to get into - personally, I would've preferred maybe if the whole content was put first followed by the short story as a study case at the end.

I received a free digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

[Jim Tiffin Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever way to use a fictional mystery as a means for explaining how maps and data visualization come in many forms beyond just bar graphs and dashboards...

...and especially as a means for doing thoughtful questioning and fact checking of statements and infographics...

...but it started to wear thin as the book went on.

Still, for people without a strong mathematics/statistics background, I can see it being a particular effective "hook" to keep the reader engaged until the end. Perhaps that was the user the d.school had in mind when they wrote it.

[Jeff Wrench]

First sentence of the book: "At the Stanford d.school, design is a verb." Two things: (1) No kidding! Design is a verb in its first definition. Not profound. (2) NOWHERE IN THE ENTIRE BOOK is the word design used as a verb. smh.

And for a book apparently about graphic design and telling visual stories, the cover sure makes it look like this is going to be a dry academic paper.

Off to a bad start, but the concept of the book and skim through the pages still make me hopeful.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this! A clever way to explore the various ways of making maps and how doing so can help you organize your thoughts, make new connections, and even solve a mystery!

That was a really neat way to apply all these concepts, which were covered at a pretty high level. So it's not going to be a meaty dive into data visualization, but it was a good overview, wrapped in a very creative case study.

[Mageen C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend who knew I was struggling with a project at work. I found myself unstuck and, in fact, able to revitalize a number of projects and problems that had been worrying at me! A great resource for a scientist in need of clear communication about complex and difficult topics.

[Jillian Alexander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book; however, I believe that others, myself included, would be frustrated by the format. It's written much like an effective class - concept learning through storytelling, which the author acknowledges in the...well, acknowledgement. However, it's distracting to go back and forth in the text format. Overall, it was an interesting story and describes data visualization well.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been on a journey to learn more about data driven decision making and ways to show data in a meaningful way. This book didn’t teach huh me a lot. I guess I have learned a lot of my journey so far.

[Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book. I enjoyed the idea of a fictional story to help explain the concepts. This book would be good any kind of information literacy, not just maps.

[Suman Srivastava · Rating 3 out of 5]

An educational book that is also a murder mystery. Interesting. I expected more from the educational part of the book. Hence the relatively low rating.

[Stef · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not us, it's me? Yes, but it's still just three...

[Joe Canas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got caught up in the story-telling aspect.

[Matt Lawler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that there’s a novel within the education around maps and data visualization. Made me think about how I / we display data in a way that helps problem solve.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally appeared in "Technical Communication Journal: November 2022, Volume 69, Number 4." https://www.stc.org/techcomm/

Most people have at least a limited experience with maps, whether it is from an app on their phone, a navigation system in their car, or a giant misfolded piece of paper from AAA. However, understanding the art and science that goes into creating a map is a topic which many do not stop to consider. In The Secret Language of Maps: How to Tell Visual Stories with Data, Carissa Carter attempts to explain how maps convey content in a visual manner.

While you might expect a book on maps to begin with basics, such as map scale, orientation, the map legend, or the type of map, Carter uses the structure of a missing persons case to drive the explanation of maps of all types. In the context of The Secret Language of Maps, the maps are not just geographical, but illustrations of data. However, to help ease into the concept of mapping data, the first several chapters are a story of a fictional murder mystery. Once the stage is set and some illustrated clues are given to the protagonist, the book shifts into a lecture format describing the clues and how they are different forms of data maps. As the book progresses, the chapters switch between narrative and instructional, always building on one another. For example, Carter analyses the clues in the mystery to determine what type of data they are and how they correlate with other unrelated data. Various tools are used ranging from Venn diagrams to bar charts to timelines. Consequently, the book contains illustrations, charts, colors, logic flows, a gatefold to hold the larger concepts, and of course, maps. Even the book’s mystery section appears within an illustrated manila envelope holding the case files.

If you enjoy analyzing and visualizing data and want to learn underlying concepts behind creating various data maps while solving mysteries, then The Secret Language of Maps is the book for you. Similarly, if you enjoy solving mysteries, then this book can help with your data analysis. The light style of writing, the wonderful illustrations and use of color, and the size of the book make it an appealing source to add to your book collection. However, based on the data analysis skills Carter teaches, it is not recommended that you assume a life of crime, so please refrain from creating your own true life murder mystery situations after reading this book.