Dixi workshop with Alexandra Zsigmond
The Art of the Spot
In October 2024, we participated in a workshop with Alexandra Zsigmond from The New York Times about spot illustration. During the workshop, we had the opportunity to engage in discussions and listen to contributions from The New York Times directors Nicolas Blechman, Rina Kushnir and team members.
A spot illustration is a small, standalone visual used to complement and enhance text in publications like newspapers, magazines, or websites. Unlike large illustrations, it’s concise and integrated into the layout without dominating the page. Spot illustrations serve various purposes: highlighting key ideas, breaking up dense text, adding visual interest, or clarifying complex concepts. They are often used decoratively or functionally, making content more engaging and accessible. Frequently employed in editorial contexts, such as The New York Times, these illustrations involve collaboration between illustrators and art directors to create visuals that align with the article's tone and message.
Our main goal and task are to create a spot series of 7-10 illustrations on climate change and pollution for a measuring station in Mainz that currently lacks visibility and appeal to the public. The workshop provided us with valuable insights on how to brainstorm ideas, along with tips and tricks for creating impactful spot illustrations. Alexandra showcased numerous examples to help us understand how illustrators collaborate with art directors and other professionals at The New York Times to produce these visuals effectively.
Three-Day Workshop
During the three-day workshops, we had several meetings with editors from The New York Times to gain deeper insights into the project, as well as with designers to better understand their perspectives and the project itself. Alexandra also provided one-on-one sessions to guide us in developing our illustrations, offering valuable tips and feedback. She supported us throughout the process, from initial sketches to drafts and final products. At the end of the workshops, we reviewed the illustrations created by everyone involved.
We also had a zoom visit from artist Javier Jaén in Barcelona. He discussed his creative process and the many Spot series he has created for The New Yorker.
Final Spot Illustrations
Below, you can see some of the spot illustration results from the workshop, followed by mock-ups showing how the illustrations would look in The New York Times columns, as well as mock-ups of the illustrations displayed on the measuring station in Mainz.
Mock-up of the spot illustration as it would appear in The New York Times columns
Mock-up of the spot illustration as it would appear on the facade of the measuring station in Mainz
Workshop Impressions
We had a fantastic workshop, and on the final night, we celebrated with drinks at a bar with Alexandra. We hope she enjoyed her time in Mainz! Many thanks to Prof. Monika Aichele and Prof. Claudia Nass-Bauer for organizing such a wonderful event. For more insights into the workshop, check out Alexandra's Instagram.
