This vibrant, illustrated guide to the ins and outs of United States politics provides a clearer understanding of the current events and regular processes that shape this nation and the world.

Decipher the American political system with this clear, easy-to-understand guide to the basics of the United States political system, from the founding of the thirteen colonies, to the foundations of the constitution, to how elections work. You’ll also find information about the history and context of current issues, like how Supreme Court justices are appointed; the electoral college and the popular vote; and how to get involved in the political process.

Perfect for anyone looking for information on basic political processes, The Infographic Guide to American Government includes graphics that help simplify a range of topics from the Revolutionary War to all about a free press.

Carissa Lytle is a marketer-turned-designer who loves creating infographics because of the way they beautifully meld typography, illustration, and design. She studied marketing at DePaul University and visual communication design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before starting out on her own as a freelance graphic designer. Fast forward fifteen years and she now owns the award-winning, full-service design firm Right Angle Studio. Alongside her husband, Patrick—a former Chief Marketing Officer—the pair balance creative insight and marketing know-how to run their business like a well-oiled machine. When they aren’t collaborating on their clients’ latest project, you can find them enjoying their free time with their four young daughters in the picturesque lakefront town of Highland Park on Chicago’s North Shore.

Jara Kern tapped her entrepreneurial streak as a kindergartner, when she wrote to Hasbro with the idea for a new line of My Little Pony toys, accompanied by names, marketing copy, and detailed illustrations. While she’s moved on from My Little Ponies, her knack for organizing ideas and expressing them in sparkling copy has stayed with her—and helped her nurture a thriving career. When she’s not strategizing or writing, you’ll find her running trails or learning about birds and bugs with her three children. She holds a degree in music performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.