Thirteen international experts in journalism, new media and design, judged more than 1,300 entries at Northwestern University’s Medill News Service campus in Washington. The prizes were announced on Wednesday.

Marco Hernandez, the Post’s digital design director, won silver for use of maps in his multimedia article, “The stones in the road for China’s 2025 plan for electric vehicles”.

“Bagging silver at SND Digital represents a tremendous honour,” Hernandez said. “I believe it is recognition of the whole team’s efforts over the past year.

“We’re on the right path for digital to equal, and soon surpass, our reputation for print, which was always our forte.”

The same piece also received a bronze medal in the technology category.

As well as receiving team honours, Adolfo Arranz, deputy head of infographics and illustration, won seven individual medals for his illustrations.

“Three medals is more than rewarding – this was my favourite creation and hopefully readers learn something while having as many laughs as I did when I drew it,” Arranz said. “The topic is not typical for a sports story, but that makes it all the more special.”

Paul Ryding, the sports news editor, worked with Arranz to provide the words for the soccer animation.

“The most remarkable thing is undoubtedly the recognition of the department’s teamwork,” Arranz said. “We are a group that also works in harmony with other desks”.

“We spent a very cold couple of weeks researching in museums in Beijing and Taiwan,” said Duhalde. “I decided to focus on what is no longer there – the former inhabitants of the Forbidden City. I found stories that represented centuries of history and the tumultuous evolution China has undergone.”

Head of Graphics and Magazine Design Darren Long, noted how gratifying it was to see all the members of the team pick up prizes.

“The department made a real statement this year through individual flair and their commitment to teamwork,” he said.

SND awards silver medals to works that represent an elevated level of execution and originality of concept. Bronze medals represent work that honours innovation above and beyond technical or aesthetic appeal.

The aim of the competition is to challenge the industry to stretch the notion of creativity, visually and technically. SND Digital identifies work that has fundamentally shifted or improved how news and information is delivered across digital platforms

SND celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and will announce the Best of News Design for print in early April at the society’s annual workshop in Chicago.