Designer, illustrator, visual journalist, photographer, and art director who uses visual language to explain the world.
I am a visual journalist and editor for the international desk of The New York Times, currently based in Seoul and covering Asia. I have been living and reporting in the region since 2017.
I report to uncover the facts, write code to build interactive stories, create maps when location matters, and illustrate when there is no data to show or when a subject is too complex to grasp at a glance. I play with typography, make design decisions, and art-direct each piece so its visual language guides the reader, and complex news feels clear and easy to understand.
My path into journalism was far from direct. After life forced me to pause my formal studies in Fine Arts and Architecture, I learned everything by doing. I began as a freelance graphic and web designer, a role that eventually led me to build digital interactives for exhibitions at one of Costa Rica’s most prominent museums, where I also photographed historical artwork and pre-Columbian artifacts. That experience sparked my interest in storytelling, museum iconography, and information design, which drew me into data journalism at La Nación.
From there, I moved to Hong Kong to join the South China Morning Post as a graphics reporter, working alongside stellar print designers and leaders like Darren Long. I was later promoted to lead the digital graphics department, guiding a successful traditional newsroom through its shift into the digital era by building internal charting tools and templates. I then became a graphics reporter at Bloomberg News in Hong Kong, before relocating to South Korea in 2022 to join The Times.
Away from the computer, I spend my time drawing, illustrating, and exploring different techniques, as well as graphic design, architecture, and photography. I also study mechanical watchesLearned on the ETA 6497Next: ETA 2824-2 by taking them apart and reassembling them, practice guitar and drums, and enjoy camping and hiking the mountains around Seoul with my wife and our Korean rescue dog. For a faster pace, I chase tenths of a second in a racing simulator at legendary circuits like Spa,Best time so far: 2:20.427Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Monza,—Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) and the Red Bull Ring—Porsche 911 GT3 R (992).
Source & Shape
An occasional journal since 2021 on design, visual journalism, and storytelling, from raw source to final shape. Process breakdowns, interviews, tools, lectures, and thoughts along the way.
Speaking and lectures
Over the years I've been invited to universities and events around the world to lecture, lead workshops, and share my work with students.
Awards and publications
Recognized by major journalism and design competitions, including Malofiej, SND, SOPA, and Sigma Delta Chi to name a few. Recipient of 198 awards to date for visual journalism, infographics, art direction and interactive storytelling.
- Malofiej
- SOPA and Sigma Delta Chi Award
- Society of News Design (SND)
- Other honors
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Works featured in books and magazines
Find me