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(About)

JAMES

SURDAM

(Mission)
Data-driven motion for video journalism
I see motion design in journalism as an extension of reporting, not an afterthought. Good visual journalism shows its receipts: it makes data, timelines, and evidence visible, while staying transparent about what’s known, what’s inferred, and what’s reconstructed.

The goal isn’t spectacle; it’s precision. Using pacing, hierarchy and motion, design helps people actually understand the story, not just watch it go by.
(About)
Art Director for video journalism.
I design motion systems, explainers, and investigative visuals that make complex reporting legible, engaging, and honest.

My work sits where reporting, design, and animation meet: translating raw information into clear on-screen narratives that can live across platforms without losing nuance.

Day-to-day I am designing motion systems, scalable tools and visual languages that give newsrooms a coherent on-screen identity. I work closely with reporters, editors, and product teams and am drawn to projects where design decisions meaningfully shape how a story is understood.

resume

(Company)
(Position)
(Date)
The New York Times
Art Director

Reporter Video & Social Visuals

Mulitmedia Editor

Visual Investigations

Visuals Editor

Visual Investigations

2021 - today
NBC NEWS
MOTION GRAPHICS EDITOR
2017 - 2021
CLINCH
MOTION GRAPHIC DESIGNER
2017 - 2017
BULLY PULPIT INTERACTIVE
Video editor
2016 - 2017
GW Marketing & creative services
Graphic designer
2013 - 2016
Awards
awards
Awards
awards
Awards
(Awards)
(2025)
ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARDS
BEST DIGITAL VIDEO STORYTELLING: WINNER
Elon Musk's Cost-Saving Claims Are Wrong
(2025)
ONLINE JOURNALISM AWARDS
BEST DIGITAL VIDEO STORYTELLING: finalist
When Undersea Internet Cables Snap
(2025)
news & doc emmys
outstanding breaking news coverage: nominee
The Trump Assasination Attempt
(2024)
Society for news design
Award of Excellence
Inside a Myanmar Cyber Scam Camp
(2023)
The pulitzer prize
International Reporting
Putin's War
(2022)
Society for news design
best social media design: Bronze
The Hidden Melodies of Subways
(2021)
new YORK PRESS CLUB AWARDS
Best feature video
The Next Italian Renaissance
(2020)
news & doc emmys
Outstanding art direction: nominee
She Wanted a 'Freebirth' With No Doctors...
expertise
expertise
expertise
expertise
expertise
Process
(01)

art direction

Shaping how news stories look and move. My focus is on building clear hierarchies, pacing, and visual structure so viewers can follow complex reporting without friction.
Defining Type, Layout, and Motion
Translating Editorial Priorities
Balancing Clarity, Pace, and Restraint
(02)

EDITORIAL MOTION DESIGN

I use motion design to explain evidence: data, timelines, reconstructions and complex processes. The goal is to make the underlying reporting legible, not to add noise.
Translating Data into Visuals
Using Animation to Reveal Structure
Designing Explainers
(03)

Systems, templates, and tooling for newsrooms

I build scalable systems so good design is the default, not a one-off. Templates and motion frameworks let editors work quickly while still maintaining a coherent visual language.
Crafting MoGrTs and Style Guides
Standardizing Graphic Packages
Organizing Workflows

HAVE A QUESTION?

I’m always interested in thoughtful work around video, motion, and editorial design. Feel free to contact me at jamessurdam@gmail.com
Contact. Me