Please introduce yourself, and tell us your role at DPA and how long you’ve been working here. Where are you from, and where do you live currently?
Paola: I’m Paola Caile, I’m from Colombia and I live here, and I have been a Graphic Designer and Web Designer at DPA for almost 8 years.
Marc: I’m Marc. I’m from Barcelona, but I live in Turkey. I’m the UX/UI Designer in DPA, and I mainly work at OPAL, and I’ve been working in DPA since June 2024.
Asal: I’m Asal Hematinik, and I’m a Graphic Design Intern at DPA. It’s been nearly one month that I’ve been working here. I’m from Iran, but currently I am in Berlin to study for my master’s degree.
Could you share 1-2 books (fiction or nonfiction) that shaped you?
Paola: Sure! One of the books that influenced me the most is Graphic Design Thinking for Brainstorming by Ellen Lupton. It helped me understand design as a user centered methodology for solving problems creatively and strategically. The other book is Paula, by Isabel Allende. It is an intimate and emotional book written as a letter to her daughter. This book made me appreciate the power of storytelling and how personal narrative can connect with people on a profound level.
Marc: I have so many different books I could mention, but there’s a book that really inspired me. It’s called Ulysses, by James Joyce. The creative approach of the book is very interesting: it breaks the usual narrative conventions and every chapter is written in a different form. There’s another book called The Four Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferris, who is an entrepreneur, that I really like, because it approaches the topic of productivity from a different angle. It doesn’t tell you how to be more productive or proactive, but instead how you can combine it with traveling or with living in different countries. Actually, since I read this book, I have lived in seven different countries, so it’s been quite influential for me.
Asal: I love reading, and I have many books in mind, but I would recommend Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky and Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk.
How do you see the role of design evolving in shaping public discourse around data and other sustainable development themes such as gender equality, democracy, and climate change?
Paola: Design plays a key role in making complex data understandable and engaging. The design needs to evolve and interpret data and make the data clear and inclusive in an effective way. We can combine new graphics, visual narratives and interactive technology. Designing is not just decorative, it is more like a tool for communication and decision making, and through design we can also make data more accessible and empower people to integrate it in a decision.
Marc: I think there is this general idea that design is merely about aesthetics, and it is not. It goes deeper than that. Design is about clarity and intention, and also about simplifying things that could be complex. Sometimes, as designers, we can fall into the trap of making things look beautiful, making things very visual, but making them complicated. The exercise we need to do is to think more on the cognitive side of the user and not that much on the visuals. And I think that bringing things to a level that almost everyone can understand is crucial. When it comes to data on gender equality or democracy, it’s pretty much a similar approach: the idea is always to simplify an element, whether it’s a data driven component or it’s a platform to build consensus within democracy, in a way that the user understands the platform and makes decisions they want, feeling comfortable with their choices.
Asal: I believe that we are designing all the time in our life, so design is a very important thing. For example, I have been listening to many podcasts about historical moments. When you really listen to it, when you go deep, you realize that we are designing all the time, for anything and everything that happens around you. Even when we are talking about data and anything related to that. Design is also about representing people, so they should be through anything that you design, and that’s why it is important to know your target audience.
I think there is this general idea that design is merely about aesthetics, and it is not. It goes deeper than that. Design is about clarity and intention, and also about simplifying things that could be complex.
What inspired you to want to join DPA’s team?
Paola: The first project that I worked with DPA was an editorial produced with the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estatistica (DANE) from Colombia. It combined the Colombians’ reality with demographic and structured information in social development. I worked as a freelancer, and this work made me realize that I like how the design can create impact. At the same time, I was working on a series that integrated one book or one edition of editorial, and I had a chance to apply to DPA as a full-time graphic designer, but I only knew basic English back then. I was really afraid of that, but my mom and my husband encouraged me to apply – and here I am after many years. It was quite a challenge, and at the same time it was an opportunity to grow. Working across all design areas made me discover a whole new world of interaction of data, technology and social change. I also love the opportunity to be part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Marc: There are many reasons I wanted to join this team. First, I’m always looking for different challenges, and to be honest, the data-driven approach at DPA adds a high level of complexity since we work with data sources, indicators, and different projects. At DPA, you are always interacting with new concepts, different elements that you might not be familiar with, and you have the opportunity to learn them quickly. For example, when you are part of a project, you don’t need to be an expert on it as a designer, but you need to understand how the project works, you need to ask questions, you need to read about it, and you need to be in touch with different people. And once you understand these, you find common ground or spaces where machine learning and design can coexist. DPA allows me to create these sorts of connections and bring design to fields that don’t usually involve design.
Asal: I first heard about DPA through one of my friends – Yasmin Yazdi. We were talking about jobs, and I was asking everyone what they were doing at work. She told me about her job, and it seemed very interesting to me. And after that, I followed DPA on LinkedIn and Instagram, and I started looking at the structure of the design. I had told her I was looking for an internship, and she encouraged me to apply for the role, and this is how I am here right now!
Working across all design areas made me discover a whole new world of interaction of data, technology and social change.
Paola: In Communications, we work on a variety of projects – platforms, helping develop branding, and social media as well. We translate complex ideas into a clear and accessible visual, and our role is to ensure that the design enhances the understanding of the data rather than just serving as a decoration.
Marc: I’m not that familiar with the part of design in Communications, but when it comes to data science, most of my work has been focused on Opal for Humanitarian Action (OPAL4HA), which is a data-driven, flood-response platform. What I’ve done mainly is designing the platform. When I joined, there were some wireframes, and I took those and redesigned them to scale the platform. I’ve worked on trying to figure out what the interaction that we need to apply to the whole platform, understand the user flows, and what the user might prioritize within the platform. Also finding out how to design functionalities and that there might be technical constraints. I also help the research team with research on the Senegal context – what institutions are involved, the flood preparedness framework, etc. I have done a lot of work communicating across the team, trying to help everyone understand what we are doing – but, of course, that’s also a team effort.
Asal: We do many things in the design team. Right now, I’m actually getting to know everything about DPA and the design team. I’m just starting, but so far, I love it. The structure is very nice, and I’m getting involved in designing, as well as learning about work that I didn’t even know that designers do!
What advice would you give to designers who want to work in social impact organizations like Data-Pop Alliance?
Paola: My biggest piece of advice is to be empathetic not only towards the user, but also towards the organization and the issues they are focused on. It’s really crucial to have a deep understanding of the topics that you are visualizing, especially when you are working with social issues. Finding the balance between aesthetic and functionality is also the key: design should always enhance comprehension rather than just “look good”. Also, you should really try and understand the user who will actually be accessing what you produce.
Marc: I’m usually not the type to give advice, because I feel like everyone has their knowledge and perspectives, but I think that as a designer it is important to communicate well and understand to whom you are communicating. As a designer, you understand a lot of design-based concepts, but when working with different teams, you have to be aware that many of your colleagues might not be familiar with design to the extent you are. It’s very important to make the rest of the team understand how the design can improve a specific project and selecting what and how you communicate is also vital. Being adaptive and resourceful can also help.
Asal: First, you need to love the subject you’re working on—not just the visual design but also the content, concepts, and ideas behind it. Understanding these elements is essential to creating meaningful work. You’re designing the content of that place, so if you don’t like it or know anything about it, you’re not going to be successful. You should also study, do research about the company or organization where you want to work, and then you can thrive in your role.
First, you need to love the subject you're working on—not just the visual design but also the content, concepts, and ideas behind it. Understanding these elements is essential to creating meaningful work.
What are your hobbies outside of DPA? What do you like to do outside work?
Paola: I’m passionate about architecture and art and love collecting books on fashion, history, art, and historical conflicts. I enjoy walking my dogs, traveling to explore new cultures, and going to the theater. But what I love most is attending my brother’s band concerts—he plays blues, rock, and jazz, and it’s a great way to relax.
Lately, I’ve realized I have an eye for detail when visiting new places. At restaurants, for example, I notice menu designs, signage, and graphic elements. And when I find a place I love, I always make sure to return with my family to share the experience.
Marc: My hobbies might sound a bit cliché, but traveling is truly a passion of mine. I’ve been fortunate to visit and live in different countries, and I love experiencing new cultures, landscapes, and restaurants. Stepping out of my comfort zone to explore a new place is always exciting.
Another hobby of mine is cooking. I’d say I’m quite good at it, especially as a vegetarian, since food options can be limited in some places. Sometimes, if you want a great meal, you have to make it yourself. Cooking is also a way for me to unwind—it keeps me away from screens and is always rewarding in the end.
Asal: I enjoy watching movies, listening to podcasts, and reading biographies and history. I also love going to the gym—it helps me focus, and I think more clearly while exercising. I enjoy jogging, swimming, and staying active in general.
To learn more about DPA’s team, visit this page.
