How the book was made

The project began with a conversation in March 2023 and was developed over roughly a year and a half, alongside full-time jobs. From the outset, responsibilities were clearly divided.

Hans Christian Müller led the research and wrote most of the copy, drawing on his background in economics, politics, and data analysis. I developed the full design system, defined the creative concept, and handled art direction, illustration, and all data visualizations.

Time was the biggest challenge. Designing and illustrating an entire book single-handedly is demanding in itself; doing so while constantly revising graphics as new data emerged added another layer of complexity. Financially, the project was never meant to be significant — what mattered was doing it right.

What made the process particularly rewarding was the trust placed in us by the publisher. BeBra Verlag respected our expertise and allowed us to work with a high degree of independence, which is essential for thoughtful, high-quality data visualization.

Collaboration and a first publication

Hans and I first worked together at Handelsblatt, where I led the graphics department and he worked as an editor with a strong analytical focus. In 2017, we co-created Grafik des Tages, a daily infographic feature that appeared on the newspaper’s central double-page spread. That experience shaped how we collaborate: with mutual respect, clear ownership of decisions, and trust in each other’s expertise.

When Hans reached out in 2023 to ask if I knew someone interested in an infographic-heavy book project, I immediately volunteered. Despite the workload and limited financial incentive, the project resonated deeply. This became my first published book, and every milestone — from early drafts to holding the finished copy — felt significant.

Seeing the book in print was both joyful and bittersweet. Pride in what we had created competed with the realization that this intense and rewarding project had come to an end. As a first publication, it reinforced how much care, time, and experience go into thoughtful data visualization.

The way the book was received later echoed many of our original intentions. Reviewers described it as an attempt to grasp Berlin’s contradictions — a city that feels like a global metropolis and a village at the same time — by putting familiar facts into new relationships. Others highlighted the balance between rigor and playfulness, and how the book shows that Berlin, for all its cultural weight, is not necessarily “the measure of all things.”

Ultimately, I hope readers come away with facts they can share and discuss, even if they have never been to Berlin. More broadly, I hope the book demonstrates that in a fast, digital world, there is still value in carefully crafted, tangible work — and that data, when treated thoughtfully, can tell stories words alone cannot.