@meesgreg , SND Creative Competition Committee Member, #SND47 Judge and Deputy Managing Editor at @startribune , reflects on his mission to bring greater inclusivity to the Society for News Design — both from an entry and judging perspective. He talks about why getting more voices involved in the competition makes the entire organization stronger.
To see more winning SND47 entries, visit the link in our bio.
“Remember them. Kyle, Kelly, Dan, Matt, Corey, Steven, Rachel, Daniel, John, Cassie, Isaiah, Dave and Lauren. In beauty and peace they walk. By loving each other, we honor them.”
27 years. Never forgotten. You’re a Columbine Rebel for life and no one can ever take that away from you. 💙🩶
I’ve often said that one of my most important relationships is with those who work in the pressroom.
They are, unequivocally, artists. The craftspeople who have honed their skills across generations, quietly and faithfully bringing our journalism to life in ways most readers never get to see. Long before a story lands on a doorstep, their hands and their eyes and their instincts have left their own imprint.
Visiting Heritage has always been my favorite field trip. There is something almost sacred about walking those floors, about watching our stories transform into something tangible. For so many years, it was the moment our journalism became real. First, it’s the smell: the damp ink and wet paper. There’s nothing like it. Next, the sound: the steady thunder of pages rolling above you before flying off the press. Feeling that fresh, wet newsprint … your fingers turning black with ink — it’s a mark that stays with you. And it’s a real reminder of why you do what you do.
A few weeks ago, I was able to bring W to the plant. I didn’t realize how special — and how emotional — that visit would be. Watching him run through the rows of presses and pointing at the massive rolls of paper felt like introducing him to a part of my own story. Knowing that it was also his last visit to the plant makes it a memory I will hold close for the rest of my life.
After nearly 40 years, tonight the presses in Minneapolis run for the final time. Tomorrow, the Minnesota Star Tribune will be printed in Iowa. Our journalism and mission remains. But it’s still hard to say goodbye to the machines, to the rhythms and to the people who gave them their heartbeat.
Thank you to the ink-stained hands for the long nights, the quiet pride and the generations of care for our journalism. 💚
After 14 amazing years — including the last five leading the @societyfornewsdesign ’s Creative Competition — I’ve decided to step down as chair. SND has been an instrumental part of my life since college. It’s where I found some of my closest, lifelong friends. I’ve had the honor of championing and defending visual journalism at a time when our craft has too often been undervalued. It’s also, in a twist of fate, the very reason I ended up at the Strib. Stepping away feels surreal — and a little strange. This wasn’t an easy decision. I’ve been mulling this departure for a while, waiting for the right moment. That moment is now. And how do I know? Because of the remarkable team ready to take the reins. Just under a year ago, we set out on what felt like a daunting mission: to reimagine the competition into one cohesive, powerful celebration of visual journalism — across all platforms, including student work and even a new non-editorial category. And we did it. The work continues, but the transformation is real. I leave with complete confidence in the leadership team — @tylerremmel , @sterphanerhers , @stephanie_redding and @briandgross — a true force of energy, creativity, and drive. Working alongside them this past year has been a pleasure. They are visionaries, collaborators and dear friends. The entire competition committee’s tenacity and dedication to our mission has been nothing short of inspiring. I’ll miss this team more than I can say. To SND President @jonwile23 : what a ride it’s been. Your leadership, partnership, and above all, friendship have meant the world to me. I know I’m not alone in feeling lucky to have you at the helm of the Society. And to every judge, volunteer and contributor who’s helped bring this international competition to life year after year — thank you. You are the heart of this visual journalism community. I hope your time with the competition has left you feeling inspired, supported and rewarded. The beauty of this moment is that I get to step back on a high note, knowing the future is in the best of minds. It’s been a privilege and I’m humbled to have been in this orbit. What an extraordinary journey it’s been.
“Up here, it’s all about perspective. From the good life to the bad weather. The cities. The townships. The land. The water. It’s the state we love to love. It’s the state we hate to leave. Flyover? Do so at your own peril. Because perspective matters. This isn’t Minnesota nice. This is Minnesota news. And we are the Minnesota Star Tribune. Were not a paper, were a fabric. One that can unite, incense, connect, frustrate, represent and reflect all of us. It’s the faces you may know. It’s the voices you may not have heard. It’s major. It’s minor. It’s urban. It’s rural. It’s left, right and center field. Because all the state’s a stage, and everyone plays their part.”
Today, we introduce the redesigned @startribune . The amount of work that people have poured into this relaunch is monumental. There is still work to do, but today I’m deeply proud of the commitment we are making to widen our reach and coverage across the entire state, focusing on telling impactful stories and serving all Minnesotans.
We are the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The Heart and Voice of the North.
He’s here! ❤️
Wyatt was born over the weekend and we are so in love with our little man. He’s curious and vocal — a true mesh of mom and dad. Everyone is home, healthy and happy!
A year later … We are still in awe of the experience behind that ornate, iron door on our final night in Copenhagen.
By sheer luck, we managed last-minute reservations at Alchemist, a two Michelin star restaurant — ranked the best in Europe and fifth best in the world.
The six hour journey was one we’ll never forget. Seated in a massive dome, tasting our way through 50 “impressions” that creatively emphasized the most pressing issues facing humanity today. It ended with an invitation to “go back to childhood,” swimming in a ball pit (because why not?!) and a quick conversation with the incredible chef behind it all.
A night we’ll never forget!
