It all began with an experiment between two artists in information design. They barely knew each other but decided to send a postcard every week for a year to measure a single aspect of their lives—moments of gratitude, visited places, encounters with an animal. 52 weeks, 52 opportunities to notice.

The book reproduces the complete set of postcards, front and back, with succinct comments. It’s an invitation to share their intimate conversations. It’s definitely a special book. As a publisher, you don’t publish such a book to earn money but because it’s the right thing to do.

Data becomes meaningful when organized in a way that makes insights visible. What is obvious from this book is that small data can teach us so much more about ourselves than big data can teach large organizations about us.

I rediscovered the magic of handwritten notes where creativity rhymes with clarity. We are so tired of visualizing boring information with the same boring diagrams. This book opens up a new horizon for me. Digital tools will never compete with the originality of a pen sliding on paper, especially, when the pen is hold by such talented artists.

What if more people gave more thought to their crazy ideas? Dear Data is an invitation to experiment.