Isotype visualizations a chance for participation & civic education

Abstract

In the 1920s, Otto Neurath proposed a pictorial statistics method known as “Isotype”. Isotype pictorial statistics were intended to inform the broad public and enable them to participate in society. In this article, the method is reviewed with respect to its relevance and potential for modern-day information visualization. Though some aspects are now outdated, the basic approach still has potential for information visualization and civic education. Possible new media applications are presented and their impact for civic education and participation is discussed.