Modern Man in the Making

Otto Neurath's Modern Man in the Making, published in 1939, is a seminal work that uses text and illustrations to capture the state of the world in the 1930s. The book was created in response to the rise of new mass media and the need for a systematic visualization of facts and data. It covers a wide range of social issues and aims to make knowledge accessible to all. The book has inspired generations of designers and is being reprinted as part of the series XX The Century of Print.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Lars Muller Publishers

Otto Neurath's renowned Modern Man in the Making, originally published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1939, offers a captivating portrayal and analysis of the global landscape during the 1930s. Spanning from 1925 onwards, Neurath and his team dedicated themselves to developing a novel visual language known as "Isotype" (International System of Typographic Picture Education). In a period characterized by the emergence of new mass media, which made vast amounts of information readily accessible, Neurath recognized the urgent need for a systematic visual representation that could effectively convey facts, statistical data, and comparative numbers in straightforward manners.

Viewed as one of the most influential predecessors of today's ubiquitous infographics, Modern Man in the Making embarked on a mission to examine the fundamental trends shaping the social, political, and economic life of humanity. The book delves into a wide range of social issues of that era, encompassing topics such as mortality, health, employment, trade, education, mobility, migration, and demographics. Through its comprehensive coverage, the book serves as a testament to Neurath's democratic endeavor to make knowledge accessible and understandable to all. It serves as a reminder of the graphic arts' capacity to inform and provide context rather than solely focusing on aesthetic qualities.

Modern Man in the Making has left an indelible mark on generations of designers, inspiring them to push the boundaries of visual communication. It has also sparked peculiar imitations and further developments, showcasing the enduring influence of this pivotal historical picture-text book. In light of the ever-evolving landscape of new media, which compels designers to break down complex data into easily comprehensible depictions, this reprint of the original publication in the series XX The Century of Print serves as a timely reminder of the power of visual storytelling.

Dimension: 266 x 212 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783037786765