TODAY wins four global design awards

SINGAPORE — TODAY has won four awards for several infographics conferred by The Society of News Design (SND), a United States-based international organisation that recognises news media professionals and visual communicators who make an impact in visual journalism.

In the 37th edition of the Best of News Design creative competition. TODAY won three awards of excellence for individual pieces and one for a portfolio of works in the infographics category. The awards were the first for the paper in its 15-year history. The three infographics that won awards spanned local and international issues.

What Has Been Lost Forever In Palmyra documented the destruction of parts of the UNESCO World Heritage Site by the Islamic State. A peek into the global container trade captured the trends in the container trade. New Hope Against The Threat Of Superbugs (picture) looked at how bacteria builds up resistance to antibiotics and the promise of a new antibiotic.

The infographics were created by TODAY creative director Adolfo Arranz, who also won an award for his portfolio submission. “It comes down to the reader — infographics help them understand information in clear and aesthetically pleasing ways, making communication effective. TODAY is committed to communicating the import of news clearly to readers and I’m excited that my work has been recognised. It drives me to do more,” Mr Arranz said.

Mr Carl Skadian, deputy chief editor, TODAY, said: “The awards provide welcome recognition of our journalists’ constant efforts to excel. Mr Arranz is a world-class talent, and serves as an inspiration to our staff as they pursue excellence to serve our readers better. That is at the heart of all we do.”

The Best of News Design creative competition is held annually and is open to all magazines and general circulation newspapers in the world, as well as syndicates and cooperatives providing material used in newspapers.

On its website, the SND said the award of excellence is granted for “truly excellent work that goes beyond mere technical or aesthetic competency”. Winning entries are reproduced online and in an annual book, The Best of News Design. CLIFFORD LEE