I spent two years as a copy editor and page designer at The Monitor, a daily newspaper in McAllen, Texas, where I designed editorial spreads and long-form news packages for print.
Working within the demands of daily publication, I developed a strong command of grid systems, typographic hierarchy, and visual pacing — shaping complex reporting into cohesive, reader-focused layouts. Each package required balancing clarity with impact, ensuring that photography, headlines, pull quotes, and body copy worked together to guide the narrative.
At the time these editions ran, The Monitor circulated approximately 40,000 copies daily and was named Newspaper of the Year by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors.
This experience grounded my practice in structure, discipline, and editorial storytelling — principles that continue to inform my work across mediums.