For the Beanie Babies graphic, the idea seemed to be there, until I examined it closely. Then it fell apart. The toys are similar in size and purpose, but as collectibles they are completely different in how they are produced and marketed. If there was going to be a graphic to advance this story, it would have to be something other than a direct comparison. At the Tribune, the news graphics department has coordinators and artists.
Coordinators are reporters who conceptualize the idea, gather the information and suggest a design.
Their work is run through an editor, who then turns it over to an artist. The coordinator and artist work side by side to execute the graphic. The Beanie Babies assignment led me into an afternoon of difficult, intensive and often frustrating research. Facing a 7 p.m. deadline, I tried to become an expert in collectibles and to mold what I was finding out into some form that would add a visual dimension to our story. I searched the Internet, looked for information in reference books, interviewed dealers in the Chicago area, and even talked with people around the office.