Each week, and for a year, we collected and measured a particular type of data about our lives, used this data to make a drawing on a postcard-sized sheet of paper, and then dropped the postcard in an English “postbox” (Stefanie) or an American “mailbox” (Giorgia)!

Eventually, the postcard arrived at the other person’s address with all the scuff marks of its journey over the ocean: a type of “slow data” transmission.

Over the fifty-two weeks, the collecting of data about our lives became a kind of ritual. We would spend the week noticing and noting down our activities or thoughts, before translating this information into a hand-drawn visualization.

On the front of the postcard there would be a unique representation of our weekly data, and, on the other side (in addition to the necessary postage and address), we would squeeze in detailed keys to our drawings: the code to enable the recipient to decipher the picture, and to fantasize about what had happened to her new friend the week before.

We prefer to approach data in a slower, more analogue way. We’ve always conceived Dear Data as a “personal documentary” rather than a quantified-self project which is a subtle – but important – distinction. Instead of using data just to become more efficient, we argue we can use data to become more humane and to connect with ourselves and others at a deeper level.

Dear friends of Dear Data,

We're incredibly happy to say we've received so many messages from enthusiasts people of different ages and backgrounds who are drawing their data.

This section is for you.

1. Are you or your students already drawing your data?
   Email us! We will be opening a gallery shortly to showcase all of your artwork. 
   
   However, we will only accept artwork where your and your pen pal's home addresses are blurred/covered (and surnames / full names blurred for children, as per your school's or their parents' preference), as we would prefer to keep your details private.

2.  Are you a teacher and interested in using the Dear Data format with your students?
   Subscribe to this mailing group and introduce yourself. You will be able to share your experience, learn from others and find data pen pals for your students.

3. Are you looking for a data penpal?
   Subscribe to this group and introduce yourself.

We believe there is a huge potential to use this method to inspire students and non-data experts to start working with data, or as a simple way to meet a new friend while also connecting with yourself at a deeper level.

All we kindly ask is that you to keep us posted (haha) on how your experiments are going! Please send us scans or pictures of your (or your students) postcards for our research and for our records! We'd love to share your data artwork with the world (so long as you give us permission).

All our best and thanks for your support in Dear Data,
Giorgia and Stefanie

PS: looking for clues on how to collect and draw your data? Check the bottom of this post on Five Thirty Eight where we gave some suggestions!