Dear Data, an experiment in data-driven self portraits

Dear Data is a year-long, analogue data drawing project created by the supremely talented Giorgia Lupi and Stefanie Posavec.

Despite having a lot in common, the pair have only met twice in person and so decided to get to know each other through the language of data visualization.

Each week Giorgia and Stefanie collect a particular type of data about their lives, use it to create hand-crafted data visualizations on a postcard-sized sheet of paper and then send each other the results - via a London “postbox” for Stefanie and a New York “mailbox” for Giorgia.

The postcards, along with the designers’ notes and photos, are then uploaded onto Dear Data. 

Topics so far have included public transport, physical contacts and thank-yous. 

The project powerfully demonstrates that you don't need to have to large amount of data or knowledge of digital processes to create a great data visualization: all you really need is a pencil and paper! In their own words, "we are really just doing what artists have done for ages, which is sketch and try to capture the essence of the life happening around them".

The pair are currently 28 weeks into their year-long project and planning to publish a book about it - be sure to sign up to their mailing list to get the latest.

Giorgia is co-founder and design director at Accurat, an information design agency based in Milan and New York. Stefanie is a freelance designer with work ranging from data visualization and information design to commissioned data art. We were extremely proud to have them both on our judging panel for the 2014 Kantar Information is Beautiful Awards.