The Works: Anatomy of a City
Book reviewed by Erin Weber
Issue 1 Spring | Summer 2009
This book offers a unique and engaging perspective into the complex infrastructure of New York City. It is broken into six sections: Moving People, Moving Freight, Power, Communications, Keeping it Clean and The Future. Clever information graphics narrate each page and describe everything from the travels of a piece of mail to the hourly density of subway traffic (as pictured).
The Works includes an abundance of information and urban context for professionals and inquisitive city dwellers. As championed by the Manifesto’s charge: “Context before Everything” (page 17), design managers can reference The Works in order to better understand the diverse environment in which their designs are influenced and have influence. In addition, the book’s information graphics provide graphic designers with inspiration for the creation of equally informative and engaging illustrations.
