La Lettura
Since 2019, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with La Lettura, the cultural supplement of the leading Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
La Lettura, published every Sunday, showcases elaborately crafted and mesmerising data visualisations from leading data artists worldwide. Each piece is thoughtfully paired with an article to provide context for the work. Below is a gallery featuring the main data visualisations I created for La Lettura.
The Periodic Table of the Discoverer of the Elements
We are all familiar with the layout of the long-standing Periodic Table and the distribution of its elements, but have you ever wondered who discovered them and when? In recognition of the 150th anniversary of the invention of this remarkable tool, UNESCO named 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements.
To celebrate this landmark occasion, I have designed a visualisation that revisits the original Periodic Table, with a focus on the scientists who discovered the elements. This work adds visual value to the story of the creation of the Periodic Table, from its conception to its significance today.
EGOT Club, The most exclusive showbiz club
What is the EGOT club? Who are the EGOT winners, and what does EGOT even mean?
EGOT is the acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards – which collectively represent the most prestigious professional accolades within American entertainment. Only 15 people worldwide (as of April 2019) won all four career prizes and are known as EGOT winners.
Roberts Lopez, John Legend, Rita Moreno, Richard Rogers, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Tunick, Marvin Hamlisch, Scott Rudin, John Gielgud, Mel Brooks, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Helen Hayes were included in the visualization as the 15 famous EGOT winners.
The data visualization I created for this piece takes readers on a narrative journey from the youngest EGOT winner to the first woman to achieve the coveted PEGOT title (EGOT + Pulitzer Prize or Peabody Award). The original version of the visualization was published in Italian; an English version can be viewed below.
Alien Species
Invasive species are animals or plants that are not native to a particular region and disrupt the existing ecosystem. They are often introduced to an area via ship ballast water, accidental release, or human activities. Invasive species can cause the extinction of native plants and animals, destroy biodiversity, and permanently alter habitats.
The impact of invasive species can be significant, leading to economic consequences and fundamental disruptions to coastal and lake ecosystems (source: www.oceanservice.noaa.gov).
I used Procreate on my iPad to create digital images for the illustrations. You can view timelapse videos of my work on my Instagram.
European long-distance paths
Taking a walk has been found to boost our thinking abilities. As noted in a 2021 New Yorker article by Ferris Jabr, our heart rate increases when we walk, promoting better blood and oxygen circulation to all our organs, including the brain. This was particularly important during the 2020 pandemic when many of us were confined to small spaces. Going for a stroll around your neighbourhood offered a sense of freedom.
The map illustrates the 12 European long-distance routes, spanning over 60,000 km and passing through 28 countries, that are available for walking enthusiasts to explore.
1969, Sellerio – A Vast Array of Literature
Visualization celebrating the 50th anniversary of the publishing house Sellerio, popularly known for titles such as the Commissario Montalbano TV series and books. The occasion was the Salone del Libro (The Book Festival) in Turin. Sellerio was founded in 1969 in Palermo, Italy by Elvira and Enzo Sellerio.
National Anthems, year of adoption per country
The visualization comprehensively displays the nations set to participate in the Tokyo Olympics. It's a well-organised showcase of the nations, arranged chronologically based on the year they adopted their respective national anthems. The visual serves as a reminder of the diversity of the participating countries, highlighting the unique cultures, traditions, and histories that each nation brings to the games.
