About

photo of David Ramos

I’m a designer and design educator, based in Washington, D.C. and committed to the Chesapeake Bay region. I use design—especially maps, images, websites, and in-person events—to help us imagine landscapes, past and future.

Creative practice

Design and visualization

I design and build websites, make maps and data visualizations, and create print publications. (Example projects.)

Interpreting landscapes

I’m interested in how historic land use patterns and long-buried natural systems still shape our communities today, pushing their way to the surface like seeds emerging with the change of seasons. I make maps and lead tours that examine landscape history and planning issues. Current projects trace the District’s lost streams and wetlands (you can read more at WAMU), look at the Chesapeake’s rail network in its topographic context, and examine migration and demographic patterns in the D.C. region.

Experimental education

I help run Knowledge Commons DC, a free school that has offered more than 1,000 classes around D.C., in borrowed venues and in grant-supported popup spaces. Our organization works in partnership with public library systems, arts organizations, museums, and local businesses. Our programs have been covered by NPR, the Washington Post, and MSNBC.

Getting in touch

Selected press and events

Colophon

This site is generated using Jekyll, mostly from Markdown files. Type is set in Adobe Minion Pro and Adobe Myriad Pro.