Stephanie C. Swearngin
Design Leader, Digital Strategist, & Product Thinker
Multimedia
Multimedia storytelling that blends motion, illustration, and interactive graphics to deepen audience engagement.
Project description
Part of the Crain’s Forum series, a monthly editorial initiative across Crain’s City Brands that explores major regional issues through reporting, events, and collaborative discussion among business, policy, and nonprofit leaders. This multimedia story examined the growing competition for electric vehicle manufacturing across North America. Published across Crain’s Chicago Business, Crain’s Detroit Business, and Crain’s Cleveland Business, the project explored how Midwestern states are competing with the South for EV investment.
My role
Senior Digital Designer
Process
Developed the visual concept and led art direction for a freelance illustrator to create a motion-driven digital illustration highlighting the EV manufacturing race. Designed interactive graphics to visualize shifting regional investment trends and collaborated with reporters and editors across multiple Crain's City Brands newsrooms.
Recognition
Gold in Best Use of Multimedia, Alliance of Area Business Publishers (2024).
Project description
Social-first vertical video highlighting Crain’s annual ranking of Chicago’s highest-priced home sales, illustrating how the city’s luxury real estate market has surged since tracking began in 2015. Published on Crain's Chicago Business social media platforms in February 2026.
My role
Director of Visual Media
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Process
Provided visual guidance and creative feedback to the senior digital designer, helping shape the concept and ensure the final video aligned with the story and social-first storytelling goals.​