Just a few lines to recommend the Infographics Designers' Sketchbooks, which I received a couple of days ago. The volume is gorgeous, and it showcases plenty of visualization goodness. If you're looking for a Christmas present for a designer friend, this may be the best choice this year. It's not even November, I know but, hey, I live in Miami. Christmas lights start showing up here and there in June.*
The book features the sketches of dozens of infographics and visualization designers, besides the corresponding final products. Each designer's section opens with a short essay. These introductions, as far as I've seen (I've seen fifteen already) are a joy to read.
I've shot some photographs. See below.
*OK, perhaps that's an exaggeration. Let's settle for July...