(I did this interview for Ymag. You can also read it here.)

As you readers probably remember we've dealt with bestiario.org and their dynamic data visualization interfaces before. Here's an interview with Bestiario's Santiago Ortiz, who answered a few questions dealing with the group's activities and future projects, plus new tendencies and perspectives for internet use. It's a pretty long read, so I split it in two. Enjoy.

When and why did you realize you wanted to work with graphic data visualization?

I began playing with code very early, when I was 12 years old. I used to play with random numbers, or sinusoidal functions to create interesting patterns. Then I discovered complexity: fractals, cellular automata, chaotic functions, which generates much more interesting shapes and dynamics. Finally, as a natural step that increases complexity, I discovered the possibility of working with external data. My first serious project on data visualization was GNOM (2005), based on genetic data. With Bestiario we have developed a powerful framework based on graph theory, topological algorithms, physic models, geometrical and geographical representations…

What kind of clients do you usually have?

One of the most interesting things of this work is the wide diversity of persons and institutions than can require information spaces (and also the aims of the projects). Although the main kind of clients are cultural institutions this pattern is changing and we begin to work more with big companies. Among our clients there are cultural institutions, communication enterprises, big companies, research departments (university and enterprises), advertising agencies, museums, educational institutions. (more…)