Professor Michael Stoll
Expert in Information Design and Historical Infographics

Profile
Professor Michael Stoll is a globally recognized authority in Information Design, with a career spanning over three decades. He holds a professorship at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany, where his teaching and research focus on infographics, data visualization, and visual knowledge transfer. His expertise lies not only in developing cutting-edge contemporary design techniques but also in studying and preserving historical infographics. As a thought leader in his field, Professor Stoll’s work bridges the gap between practical applications, academic research, and the cultural significance of visual communication.

Education and Early Career
Michael Stoll launched his design career in the early 1990s as an independent designer in Tübingen, Germany. During this time, he worked closely with newspaper publishers and companies in southern Germany, providing innovative design solutions tailored to their communication needs.
Recognizing the importance of education, he simultaneously began teaching infographics and design concepts. He was a visiting instructor at the Journalism Center Haus Busch, the IFRA Newspaper Institute, and the Academy of the Bavarian Press, where he developed a reputation for effectively conveying complex design principles to aspiring professionals.

Academic and Professional Career
Since 2005, Professor Stoll has been a pivotal figure at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, where he has significantly contributed to the academic community. His courses and research delve into Information Design, infographics, and data visualization, emphasizing practical applications that address modern societal and technological challenges.

Between 2017 and 2020, Professor Stoll held a prestigious research professorship, „Strategic Visual Knowledge Transfer,“ where he investigated the use of visuals as a tool to convey intricate ideas to diverse audiences.

His influence extends internationally through his teaching roles at: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, where he is teaching in their BA programs „Illustration Non-Fiction“ and „Data Design & Art.“  Bern University of Applied Sciences, where he is teaching in the CAS DataViz certificate course.  University of Neuchâtel, where he taught „Visual Culture: Infography“ as part of their journalism master’s program.

Key Achievements
Professor Stoll has achieved numerous milestones throughout his career: In 2009, he was appointed president of the jury for the Malofiej 17 Infographic Competition at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, one of the world’s most prestigious infographic awards.

Since 2013, Prof. Stoll has supported the 2CO Conference and Community as a co-organizer and supporter. In 2013, he delivered a lecture on Infographics as Interfaces to Level Complexity.

He curated the Quo Vadis Information Graphics Conference in 2016 and 2017, Germany’s largest event focused on information graphics, which attracted over 500 participants and became a landmark event in the information design community.

In 2018, he co-founded the Visual Discovery Conference, an international initiative that brings together students and faculty from around the globe to collaboratively address pressing societal, ecological, and economic challenges through infographics and visual storytelling.

Between 2017 and 2020, Prof. Stoll led the HSA_transmitter Innovation Gallery at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences together with his team. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the gallery maintained an extensive program of exhibitions, fostering scientific dialogue between the university and Augsburg's civil society.

Professor Stoll served as a jury member for the European Newspaper Design Awards in 2019, 2021, and 2025, evaluating categories such as print, online, interactive, and data journalism infographics.

Research and Development Projects
At Augsburg University, Professor Stoll has spearheaded various impactful research projects, such as:

2010: A study on the efficiency of wayfinding systems for Klinikum Augsburg, which enhanced the hospital’s navigational tools.

2012: Development of an integrated communication concept for CCeV Carbon Composites e.V., enabling clearer internal and external messaging.

2013: Design of a corporate identity and wayfinding system for the Freight Center in Augsburg, showcasing innovative approaches to wayfinding communication.

2014–2017: Creation of infographic concepts for non-commodity products for LEW AG / RWE, applied across print and web platforms.

2017–2019: Co-Leading the LogiPics project, which developed a universal visual language to address workforce shortages and improve communication for low-skilled workers.

2024–2025: Participation in the IUAV-led NSBVN Research Project (Non si Butta Via Niente – Nothing is Thrown Away), exploring sustainability potentials for Venice museums alongside an interdisciplinary team of Italian researchers, among them Prof.ssa Emanuela Bonini-Lessing, Prof. Davide Crippa and several PhD candidates.

Additionally, Professor Stoll co-directed DAAD-funded projects in 2013 and 2015, comparing Venice and Augsburg. These projects highlighted shared urban and cultural dynamics influenced by their Renaissance trade relationships.

Publications and Exhibitions
Professor Stoll’s contributions to publications and exhibitions underscore his dedication to advancing the field of Information Design:

He is a contributor to the Taschen publication History of Information Graphics, where he writes on the representation of humans, machinery, and the human-machine relation in historical infographics.

He curated the traveling exhibition „History of Infography,“ which features highlights from his extensive private collection of historical infographics, one of the most comprehensive in the world.

Notable further exhibitions curated by Professor Stoll include:

2016: Nigel Holmes: Graphics That Explain.

2017: John Grimwade: Explanatory Graphics.

2021: Fernando Baptista: Master of Information Design.

Public Speaking
As a keynote speaker, Professor Stoll is highly sought after for his insights into Information Design and its role in society. He has presented at numerous international conferences, including:
IDEEC Korea in 2016 and 2023, where he discussed the evolution, relevance, and future of infographics in the digital age.

Memberships
Professor Stoll is an active member of several organizations, including:

International Institute for Information Design (IIID), Vienna, Austria.

Swiss Society for Symbol Research, Zurich, Switzerland.

In 2025, Prof. Stoll was appointed to the scientific board of Progetto Grafico, Italy’s leading design research journal.

Summary
Professor Michael Stoll’s extensive career in Information Design is marked by innovative teaching, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to preserving historical knowledge. His leadership and contributions continue to shape the global discourse on the power of visual communication in addressing complex challenges, making him an inspiring figure in his field.