- On this interview with Mongabay India, Andrés Alegría explains how Mongabay harnesses the ability of maps and information visuals to offer depth to our tales.
- Maps and information visualisations function a bridge between complicated info and impactful storytelling.
- With AI and machine studying advancing, effectivity in information evaluation is bettering. However past know-how, there’s a risk of a shift towards accessibility and inclusivity.
Think about being a sailor within the fifteenth or sixteenth century, setting out on a voyage into the unknown. You’ve heard terrifying tales of sea monsters ruling the oceans, and you may solely hope by no means to come across one. Maybe that’s why these maps didn’t simply chart coastlines—additionally they carried cultural knowledge, marking the presence of sea monsters as warnings.
Maps have formed human historical past by guiding exploration, commerce, and territorial growth, shaping civilizations alongside the way in which. In the present day, they continue to be simply as important—powering navigation, city planning, and environmental conservation in our interconnected world.
At Mongabay India, we leverage maps and information visualisations to counterpoint environmental storytelling, making complicated points extra accessible and interesting. To discover how we deliver this to life, we spoke with Andrés Alegría, Graphics Editor for Mongabay Information.
The ability of maps and information visualisation
“By visualising environmental information such because the spatial distribution of deforestation or air pollution hotspots, we assist readers to see the ‘larger image’ and set into context real-world impacts which can be related to local weather change, habitat loss, and extraction of assets, to call a couple of,” explains Andrés.
Maps and information visualisations function a bridge between complicated info and impactful storytelling. Mongabay transforms uncooked information into clear, participating visuals that not solely improve narratives but additionally strengthen their credibility, says Andrés.
“Mongabay’s method to graphics is linked with the narrative. In contrast to many different platforms that in all probability give attention to visible aptitude, the Mongabay graphics are carried out tailor-made to the storytelling wanted and based mostly on dependable information sources,” provides Andrés.
Mongabay’s dedication to readability in information visualisation goes past aesthetics—it’s about making complicated environmental points understandable and significant. Each graphic begins with rigorous analysis, making certain that the info used is each credible and related to the story.
“Early session lets the editor present steering over the perfect visible method and may even let one anticipate information downside areas. To ensure its design and sense of storytelling don’t get throughout one another’s methods, each journalists and graphic editors can often have suggestions and brainstorming conferences,” explains Andrés.
The important thing to stronger collaborations between journalists and graphic editors is taking the time to know one another’s processes. Journalists ought to transcend simply handing over directions—they need to familiarise themselves with the fundamentals of information visualisation, so that they perceive what makes a graphic efficient.
Then again, graphic editors shouldn’t rely solely on a journalist’s directives however ought to interact deeply with the textual content drafts, figuring out the story’s core parts and figuring out how finest to visualise them, Andrés explains.
Approaching information visualisation
One of the difficult initiatives he labored on was an interactive dashboard on India’s air high quality, specializing in PM2.5 air pollution ranges and their hyperlink to respiratory illnesses. The most important problem was integrating a number of datasets with various ranges of element whereas making certain the visualisation remained clear and accessible. By way of superior options in Tableau Public and shut collaboration with Mongabay India’s multimedia editor, he created an intuitive and user-friendly software.
“Shut collaboration with Kartik Chandramouli, Multimedia Editor for Mongabay India, was elementary to guarantee that the software was person pleasant. It was a reasonably complicated and rewarding challenge that actually pushed my technical expertise, permitting me to develop as a graphic designer and to method the next dashboards with extra confidence,” says Andrés.
Equally, for a narrative on deforestation in Cambodia, Andrés developed three distinct visuals: a bar chart illustrating forest loss, a community diagram mapping the connections between firms and people linked to unlawful logging, and a layered dataset combining satellite tv for pc alerts with discipline information collected by native patrols. Every challenge required an iterative method—analysing information, refining designs, and dealing intently with the editorial workforce to make sure the visuals seamlessly supported the storytelling.
Instruments of the commerce
So, how does Andrés deliver these visuals to life?
“I work with a various “Swiss military” sort of toolkit that enables me to outlive each challenge.”
His toolkit is numerous, tailor-made to every challenge’s wants. QGIS, an open-source software, permits for in-depth spatial evaluation and is especially used for maps. For charts and graphs, he typically makes use of RAWGraphs, a web-based software that exports editable SVG information for additional refinement. Adobe Illustrator performs a key position in sprucing and branding the ultimate visuals, making certain they align with Mongabay’s model.
For interactive, web-based visualisations, Andrés makes use of Tableau Public, a robust platform that enhances storytelling with dynamic information shows. Every software serves a definite perform, contributing to the accuracy, accessibility, and impression of the ultimate product.
Turning into a graphic editor
“To change into a graphic editor, it’s each an artwork of design and a technical experience. The very first thing I like to recommend is to develop a strong background in graphic design by means of education or self-taught. There are many nice assets on the market, you simply should get began,” recommends Andrés.
Studying information evaluation is simply as necessary, with QGIS being an important choice for mapping and RawGraphs providing highly effective capabilities for dealing with geospatial datasets. For these desirous about interactive visuals, programming expertise could be helpful, however Tableau Public is a superb various for individuals who want a extra user-friendly platform.
Constructing a portfolio that demonstrates a capability to rework uncooked information into compelling visuals is essential. Sensible expertise, whether or not by means of real-world initiatives, collaborations with journalists, or mentorship alternatives, helps refine expertise and construct credibility within the discipline.
“Lastly, preserve your curiosity alive. The sector is in steady growth, so hold enhancing your expertise and keep tuned to new instruments and developments in information visualisation. Combining inventive ardour with technical proficiency means that you can make a profitable profession as a graphic editor in at present’s data-driven media panorama.”
Future of information visualisation
With AI and machine studying advancing, effectivity in information evaluation is bettering. However past know-how, Andrés sees a shift towards accessibility and inclusivity. Guaranteeing that visualisations are designed for all audiences is essential for broadening public engagement in environmental points.
Banner picture: Earth from House. Picture by Ars Electronica – Robert Bauernhansl by way of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).
