Description
In an age of polarization and information fatigue, visual journalism has the power to cut through, especially when it’s rooted in place. This presentation shares how our small teams at the Minnesota Star Tribune collaborate across reporting, design, and development to create award-winning visuals that make complex information personal and impactful for local readers. Through projects exploring Minnesota’s shifting political spectrum, extreme weather, and inequality, I’ll show how we translate data into clear, compelling narratives — choosing the visual form that best fits each story, whether through graphics, animation, or visual explainers.
I’ll walk through how we identify visual opportunities, develop custom solutions when needed, and balance editorial depth with accessibility and trust. While timelines vary, our approach prioritizes thoughtfulness over speed, especially when the stakes are high. This presentation offers insights into crafting visual stories that are rigorous, emotionally grounded, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.