Image of the Studio: Data Designer & Visualizer by Athletics

The Data Designer is a mobile-first interactive survey developed by Munus Shih, Richard Lehmann, Allison Connell and Matt Owen of Athletics. It allows the user to create bespoke animated data visualizations about their view on design and share with friends. The tool pays homage to the original Image of the Studio identity from 10 years ago, while leveraging the power of interactive surveys to offer a personalized exploration of the current design landscape. Since its debut at the AIGA National Conference in New York, hundreds of graphic designers have engaged with the Data Designer. Athletics also launched the Data Design Visualizer, providing an interactive view of all collected data, offering unique insights into the breadth and depth of the NYC design world. Both the Data Designer and Visualizer are part of a growing suite of design-driven tools being developed by Athletics.

Head of the AIGA Design National Conference in New York in October 2023, conference curator Jennifer Kinon of Champions Design reached out to Athletics and Alexander Tochilovsky, curator at the Lubalin Center to revisit a past project. In 2013 they conceived, curated, and designed the groundbreaking exhibition and website, Image of the Studio, which showcased over 75 contemporary New York graphic design studios and individual practitioners. A decade later, Allison, Matt, and Sasha reunited with fresh insights and perspectives. They also introduced the Image of the Studio Data Designer that empowers designers to craft their own unique 'image' of design today.