Mariano Zafra
visual journalist

I currently work as a Senior Graphics Editor at Reuters Graphics, where I'm part of one of the most awarded teams in the world. Prior to this, from 2019 to 2023, I led the Graphic and Storytelling team at El País in Madrid. Earlier, I spent four years as a Graphics Reporter for special projects at The Wall Street Journal in New York, and initiated and led the Infographic and Data Visualization Department at Univision News in Miami. Before moving to the United States, I spent fourteen years at two of the most prominent national daily newspapers in Spain: El Mundo and El País.

My work has been recognized with the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award (2021), the Ortega y Gasset Journalism Award (2021), and "The Best Of Show" at the Malofiej Infographics Awards for the globally recognized visual article “A room, a bar and a classroom: how the coronavirus is spread through the air”. I have also won more than 40 international awards from organizations such as the Society for News Design, NH, and Malofiej. Furthermore, I was a regular contributor to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), with which I have participated in several globally-recognized investigative projects, such as “Swiss Leaks” and “Luxembourg Leaks”.

My passion for my work has increased throughout the years and I believe my best work is yet to come. Teamwork is indispensable to me and it has provided me with a wider perspective. Thanks to my colleagues I am a better professional.

Although I conceive all kinds of projects, I have a predilection for breaking news graphics. I consider them the dynamo of my profession. I am ardent about extracting the very best of my skills in the shortest time possible. I am always building up so that my next graphic is superior than the last. I am currently passionate about cartography and the design and programming of interactive graphics for mobile.

Background

• Bachelor’s degree from the Universidad de Navarra (1996-2000)

• Professional Master of Design and Adaptive Web Development (CICE, 2013)

• Professional Advanced Infographic Course and Composition with 3Ds Max and Nuke X (CICE, 2012)

• The Complete Javascript course (Udemy, 2017)

Expertise

• Team management

• Search, writing and design of visual journalistic stories

• Data Analysis

• Journalistic cartography with QGIS

• 3D modeling oriented to journalism

• Printed and interactive infographics

• Illustration by computer and by hand

• Animation

Tools

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Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketch, Hype

Blender, 3D Studio Max, Sketchup

QGIS

HTML, CSS

Excel, InZight

After Effects, Final Cut

R, D3, Javascript