Overview / Executive Summary
As a student designer for The Columbia Missourian, I created infographics to support newsroom reporting and storytelling. As part of my Information Graphics course at the University of Missouri, I spent five hours each week in the design lab turning data and reporting into visuals that were published alongside news articles, following professional editorial standards and newsroom production workflows.
The Challenge
Newsroom infographics must communicate complex information clearly, accurately, and quickly to readers. My objective was to design visuals that enhanced storytelling while meeting strict editorial guidelines and tight deadlines.
The Solution / Process
I worked closely with editors and reporters to pitch ideas, design graphics, and refine them based on feedback. Each week, I came up with my own ideas for how to visualize upcoming stories, figure out how to turn raw data into something people could understand at a glance, and ensured that all graphics adhered to The Missourian’s style guidelines. The process required both creative problem-solving and obsessive attention to detail to ensure that every graphic served the story.
Final Design & Visuals
Included in the project deliverables:
• Published infographics designed to accompany news and feature stories
• Weekly design pitches proposing visual angles for upcoming coverage
Results & Impact
• Produced publication-ready graphics, collaborating with reporters and editors to visualize complex data for general readership
• Visuals improved clarity and reader understanding of complex stories
• The experience strengthened my ability to work within real-world editorial constraints and deadlines
Role / Tools
Role: Infographics Designer
Responsibilities: Data visualization, layout and design, editorial collaboration, production for print and digital, concept development
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Excel, newsroom style guides
ClientThe Columbia MissourianServicesGraphic Design, BrandingLinkGraphic Design, Data Visualization
