David McCandless

David McCandless is a London-based author, data-journalist, and information designer, working across print, advertising, television, and web media. His design work has been showcased in over 40 international publications, including "The Guardian" and "Wired". He champions the use of data visualizations to explore new directions for journalism and to uncover new stories amid the vast data surrounding us. His blog and books, "Information Is Beautiful" and "Knowledge is Beautiful," are dedicated to visualizing ideas, issues, knowledge, and data – all with minimal text.

McCandless has expanded the scope of his work to include collaborations with commercial clients such as Google, Visa, and the BBC, as well as NGOs like the UN and Friends of the Earth. He has also been invited to deliver the distinguished Bill & Melinda Gates Lecture at Cambridge University, recognizing his contributions to data journalism and information design. His expertise in turning complex data sets – like worldwide military spending, media buzz, and Facebook status updates – into comprehensible, elegant diagrams showcases unseen patterns and connections, making information accessible and engaging.

His books take readers on a journey through the world of visualized data, from substantial statistics on politics and climate to lighter insights into pop music trends. McCandless doesn't just present data; he combines datasets in innovative ways to let them interact and inform each other. This approach not only enhances our understanding but also highlights how data visualization can change our perception of the world. His role as a leader in the field continues as he advocates for the transformative power of information design in navigating and making sense of a complex world.