María del Mar Navarro

“Expanding Horizons: The Intersection of the ‘Atlas of Society and Economy’ and ‘Seis Años de Gobierno al Servicio de México’”

The presentation delves into the underexplored yet significant collaboration between Otto and Marie Neurath and the Lázaro Cárdenas government in the 1930s, particularly through the Isotype method's application in the publication "Seis años de gobierno al servicio de México, 1934–1940." This work, along with the "Atlas of Society and Economy" from 1930, highlights the use of pictorial statistics to communicate government reforms, contributing to the broader narrative of Isotype's historical evolution and its international spread.

The discussion will illuminate the specific techniques from both publications, showcasing how Isotype's visual language was adapted to effectively depict the Cárdenas government's reforms. This lesser-known collaboration exemplifies the geographic and political expansion of Isotype, demonstrating its inclusivity and versatility in different contexts.

By exploring this collaboration, the presentation aims to enrich the understanding of Isotype's role in information design and its influence on visual communication across borders, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and transnational collaborations in the development of visual methodologies. This insight into Isotype's integration with Mexican governmental initiatives underscores the global impact and adaptability of pictorial statistics.

Biography
Dr María del Mar Navarro is Associate Professor of Visual Communication Design, at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University, USA, and Ph.D. Fellow at the University of Arizona, USA. María del Mar has taught visual communication design practice, research, and theory in higher education internationally for over a decade. Her research focuses on the historical and contemporary practices of visual communication, specifically in pictographic numeracy, contributing to the understanding of the development and application of visual languages in different cultural contexts.