Arlene Birt is an information designer, speaker, and educator, who transforms complex data into stories that move people.
Her work spans several interconnected roles:
Birt is founder and creative director of Background Stories, an infodesign consultancy that translates complex ideas, systems, and metrics into clear visuals for non-expert audiences — including change-making organizations across the US, EU, and UK.
As graphics officer for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Synthesis Report (March 2023), Birt collaborated with 60+ climate scientists across 195 member governments to visualize the latest climate science for a global audience. She continues this work since 2025 with UN IPCC Working Group I, in Paris.
As graphics officer for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 Synthesis Report (March 2023), Birt collaborated with 60+ climate scientists across 195 member governments to visualize the latest climate science for a global audience. A key visual Birt designed was named “The one UN climate report graphic you need to see” by Axios and several figures landed on the front page of global news media. She continues this work since 2025 with UN IPCC Working Group I, in Paris, where she co-creates scientific figures with 220+ climate scientists.
Her work communicating science and sustainability has been featured in the Washington Post, Financial Times, and Le Monde, Creative Review (UK), U.S. News and World Report, BusinessWeek.com, SEED Magazine, and at the Barcelona Design Museum. Birt has also published chapters in books including New Challenges for Data Design, Sustainable Graphic Design, and Strategic Sustainability Communication. She was a a Fulbright fellow in the Netherlands and holds a master’s degree from Design Academy Eindhoven (NL).
As professor, Birt taught college courses on information design and sustainability for 17 years, including as visiting fellow at Seoul National University (South Korea), and adjunct faculty at Wuhan University of Technology (China). Presenting her work internationally, she trains scientists and designers around the world.
Birt is an expert in information visualization and narrative visuals for sustainability communication, and is fascinated by the intersection of behavioral psychology and visual communication. She also is a public artist creating participatory, data-focused works on social and environmental topics.
