The New York Times Motion Graphics unit is a growing team that is already elevating the use of animated graphics and motion design in video journalism. Working in close collaboration with Video, Digital News Design and Graphics, the team responds to the demands of all kinds of stories and formats, pursuing everything from news explainers and visual investigations to enterprise series and shows.
Ana Simões joined the team in June, and leads the group as Motion Graphics editor. She came to Times from Apple where she was on Apple Music’s content design team, developing campaigns and digital products. Before that, she was the creative director for design and graphics at Vice News, leading a team of designers developing motion graphics, visual identities, and information design systems for documentaries, nightly news programming, and digital reporting. While at Vice, Ana won an Emmy for Outstanding Design and Art Direction for News.
Stephanie Swart has also joined the Motion Graphics team as a full-time graphics and multimedia editor. She will continue to work with Video and create original designs and animations.
Stephanie began working with the Digital News Design desk last year on a temporary assignment as a motion graphics editor, collaborating closely with Reporter Video. Since then, she has shaped the look of many culture, data and science stories, crafting complex visuals that have mapped the depths of Antarctica’s Thwaites glacier, taken viewers inside the Louvre jewelry heist, traced the workings of the NYC subway system and explained why your Zodiac sign is out of date. Her work earned a gold medal from the Society for News Design. More recently she has focused on urgent daily news videos, demonstrating strong editorial judgement and flexibility in a fast-paced environment.
As Anna Casper, Reporter Video senior producer says, “Steph leaves a distinct and personal touch on everything she creates. Whether it’s iterating on and improving maps or thinking through templates that could improve future workflows, she greets every challenge with infectious enthusiasm and excellence.”
Rounding out the team are assistant motion graphics editor James Surdam, senior visuals editor Aaron Byrd, Laura Salaberry, June Kim and Joey Sendaydiego, graphic multimedia editors, and London-based motion designer Rafaela Balster.
