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James Surdam
expertise
editorial motion design
I design motion graphics that serve the reporting: maps, charts and narrative sequences that clarify complex stories without distracting from them.
art direction for visual journalism
I develop identities for shows and formats: defining palettes, type, framing and motion so stories feel cohesive across platforms.
systems, toolkits and templates
I build scalable systems: MOGRTs, style libraries, and templated packages. Letting editors work quickly while maintaining the visual language.
resume
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
james
surdam
james
surdam
james
me
about
me
about
me
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.
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.