Adriana Aguilar

About

I attended UCF and now have my B.F.A. in Character Animation. For my thesis, I was an Art Director managing a team of 12 artists to complete a 3D film that went on to win many awards. Soon after college, I started working at WLS-TV, an ABC News local station in Chicago. I'm very lucky I get to collaborate with some of the best minds and most compassionate people in the world, telling incredibly impactful stories and building communities. I've been nominated for the Midwest Emmys several times, and I've won an Emmy for Data Visualization on a special Documentary in the San Francisco Market, "California's Case for Reparations". I've also had the privilege to work on incredible projects and TV specials about some of the most important current events that affect America. I am part of the award-winning Data Team at ABC OTV, and some of the awards include a Broadcasting & Magazine best investigation award for 'Without Warning' where we explored how public housing often failed smoke alarm inspections, putting residents at unnecessary risk, and a National Murrow award for 'Driving While Black'; a deep dive into the data of how Black people are at higher risk of police encounters for traffic stops, even though they are less likely to be found with contraband than White people in several of the U.S.'s major cities.I consider myself a quick study and my one folly is that I truly believe I can learn to do just about anything. If I can do it myself, I will likely find a way, whether it's fixing the car, DIY projects around my house, learning new software, design and more. I love problem-solving, and that led me to pick up some technical skills when I took several programming and coding classes. That being said, I've had so many incredible mentors in my life that it is a life-goal of mine to lift others up and pass on my knowledge. "A rising tide lifts all boats", as they say. I love people and this world; there is a very unique joy in helping others, especially the most vulnerable among us. I have known trials and tribulations and I want no one else to go through them.My focus is on Illustration, Design, Motion Graphics, Creative Direction and now Data Journalism.Outside of work, I love to play tabletop games such as DND, take my 2 mini American shepherds out on nature walks, go on adventures with my partner, design my home to be as cozy as possible, read and of course, serve my community.