Beto Alvarez
Current Title: Deputy News Editor
Organization: Los Angeles Times
Country: United States
SND Vision
For as long as I can remember, the Society for News Design has been the embodiment of excellent visual journalism to me. When I was a kid, I would spend hours poring over my father’s SND annuals. As I began my own career in journalism, I consistently referenced the same annuals for inspiration as I worked towards finding my own visual voice. I would eagerly await each year’s annual competition results. I felt like I was part of a special community. But in recent years I haven’t been as active in SND as I once was; I let my membership lapse. That changed last year when I was given the honor of serving as a judge for the 44th annual creative competition. I was reinvigorated not only about the organization and the great community it represents but also about visual journalism in general. I was fired up. After years in virtual isolation, it was amazing to see so many like-minded people together again. Much like I felt when I leafed through pages of those annuals years ago, I left New York overwhelmed with inspiration. It was during that trip that I realized I wanted to get more involved and help grow this organization in some way. I want to help reinvigorate existing members and advocate for new membership. I believe that my experience across several disciplines of visual journalism can contribute to the evolution of SND and help it continue to be an inspirational organization to the next generation of visual journalists across the globe.
Bio
Beto Alvarez is a deputy news editor for the Los Angeles Times. Before that, he served as digital creative director at The San Diego Union-Tribune. Beto has worked in journalism for more than 25 years, beginning his career at The Dallas Morning News where he worked as a graphic artist and illustrator. He then spent eight years at The Philadelphia Inquirer as a graphic artist, illustrator and designer. Throughout his career, he has been recognized with numerous awards from The Society of News Design, Society of Professional Journalism, PRINT magazine, and Malofiej Awards for Infographics. He has also been the recipient of four regional Emmy Awards. Beto was born and raised in Texas, moving throughout the state as a youth. He currently lives in San Diego with his wife, Tiffany, their two children and two yappy dogs. He has also played bass guitar in a bunch of rock and roll outfits and is a lifelong skateboarding enthusiast..