We help organizations transform complex policy, research, and spatial data into clear visual tools that inform decisions and strengthen communities.
Established in 2015, theworksLA is a design and strategy practice specializing in information design for public-interest organizations. We work with nonprofits, government agencies, researchers, and advocacy organizations to translate complex data, policy, and community knowledge into accessible reports, interactive maps, digital tools, and visual communications.
Our work combines design thinking, GIS, data visualization, and digital technology to help organizations communicate clearly, engage communities, and support evidence-based decision-making.
The Fieldguide to: 2026 LA County Ballot Count Update Comparison is a data visualization showing election data from the 2026 Primary for Los Angeles County. The County Registrar’s Office provides updates to the ballot count and this tool shows how many votes have been counted and added to each contest and compared to the previous update. To read more about how the County Registrar handles ballots and updates visit, lavote.gov.
Collaboration with John Urquiza and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens
12ft long map of Northeast LA, painted on canvas to discuss land use issues.
The Talking Map
Collaborative community mapping project documenting experiences and knowledge of place in Southeast Los Angeles. Helped design and produce the large-format physical map, using a light projector to transfer the map onto canvas and hand-painting the final work.
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Interactive tool exploring toxic contaminants and the human body.
Human Body Tool
This is an interactive tool for community members, health professionals, and policy makers for the purposes of educating all on how toxic contaminants are getting into the environment, our bodies, and may be affecting our health.
Interactive map for the Los Angeles City Housing Department
Civic TechnologyMapping & Spatial Analysis
Interactive Map | OWN-IT!
Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE)
An interactive mapping & notification toolkit that identifies properties at risk of displacement throughout Los Angeles County, making it easier for tenants and community organizations to take steps to address these pressures.
Organizers Warning Notification and Information for Tenants
An interactive mapping and notification toolkit that identifies properties at risk of displacement throughout Los Angeles County, making it easier for tenants and community organizations to take steps to address these pressures.
Mapping bus shelters across the City of Los Angeles and each City Council District.
Now Approaching
Graphic design, data analysis GIS mapping support for identifying locations to install bus shelters in the City of Los Angeles based on METRO boardings and coverage.
See them over at Outfront’s website, Bus shelters around LA
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Sometimes data needs to be physical. We print large maps that serve as discussion pieces in community workshops.
Gather Round the Map
In collaboration with our clients, we explore ways to communicate data beyond the screen, printing large maps that bring people together to explore and discuss issues in their community.
Information Design
Posters | Home cooling solutions
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Posters to discuss cooling solutions in your home
Information Design
Report | Investing in Youth Futures instead of School Police
Dr. Susana Bonis, Building Healthy Communities
Graphic design for a report on Youth Development
Report | Equity is Justice
Dr. Susana Bonis, Building Healthy Communities
Graphic design for a report on funding in K-12 schools.
Data VisualizationInformation Design
Poster | K-12 Student Enrollment in Los Angeles County
California Community Foundation
A poster that correlates to the School District Zine.
Information Design
Report | Land Use and Ownership Scan, Needs Assessment and Strategy Brief
Public Interest Law Project
Graphic design for a report on Land Use and Ownership in California.
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
A physical game designed to educate communities about brownfields and their health impacts, inviting participants to share stories about how their neighborhood has changed over time.
Mapping & Spatial AnalysisCivic Technology
Interactive Map | EveryoneIn Fieldguide
United Way of Los Angeles
Fieldguide to LA County's Homeless Population, Housing and Support Services
Information Design
PopEd | History of Environmental Justice in South Central Los Angeles
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Popular education activity to discuss the history of Environmental Justice in South Central Los Angeles with felt
Information Design
School District Zines - CCF
California Community Foundation
Zines for a summit with California State legislators on school district demographics. Layouts by Judy Thang and graphics by Priscilla
Information Design
Report - Invest in Youth
Dr. Susana Bonis, Building Healthy Communities
Graphic design for a report on Youth Development in Los Angeles
Information DesignMapping & Spatial Analysis
Report - Compunding Disaster
SAJE, Inclusive Action for the City, Public Interest Law Project
The first part to Confronting Disaster, A booklet that goes in depth about the Altadena fires and how it has impacted the communities. Layouts by Stephanie Graphics by Priscilla
Mapping & Spatial Analysis
Map | Memorias de un Platillo
An exploration by theworksLA
Mapping 10 years worth of closed restaurants across the LA County for Dia de Los Muertos.
The summers hotter, and many apartment buildings and houses do not come with air conditioning for their tenants.
Graphic design
Brand & CommunicationsInformation Design
Toolkit | Tenants In Common
Trust South LA
A booklet thats both informative and visually engaging explains what is a community land trust to the masses. Layouts by Stephanie, Graphics by Priscilla.
Brand & CommunicationsInformation Design
Reclaiming Our Neighborhood
Beverly Vermont Community Land Trust
K-Town gentrification is happening and we are here to spread the word of how to combat it.
Brand & CommunicationsInformation Design
Pamphlets | Keeping it Cool
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Every summer LA gets hotter and hotter, and not everyone in the community has the tools to keep cool.
Mapping & Spatial AnalysisInformation Design
Maps | Ghost Towns of Los Angeles
Collaboration with John Urquiza
Maps of then and now, Collaboration with John Urquiza for the LA County Arts Collective Memory Installation
Series exploring Los Angeles places and communities that have been displaced, erased, or transformed over time. Historical imagery, geography, and contemporary views are layered to examine Chinatown, General Hospital/Lincoln Park, and Chavez Ravine. The works were included in the LA County Department of Arts and Culture’s Collective Memory Installation at Grand Park in 2023.
Interactive Map | Tracking Regional Affordability and Challenges to Tenancy
SAJE, Los Angeles County Development Authority
TRACT is an interactive mapping tool that uses housing, demographic, economic, and other relevant data to assess gentrification and residential displacement pressures in Los Angeles County.
Civic TechnologyMapping & Spatial Analysis
Interactive Map | Everyone In
United Way of Los Angeles
Housing Tracker for Supportive and Affordable Units
Affordable & Supportive Housing Map
More than 8,000 homes for people experiencing homelessness are coming to L.A.
Supporting immigrant families to access the public benefits they are eligible for to stay healthy and strong.
Full-stack intake and referral system supporting the BAILA Network’s public-benefits program. Built workflows that process information submitted through the website to help determine benefit eligibility and connect residents with enrollment assistance.
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Brand development, graphic design, and website development for LEAP-LA, an organization uplifting indigenous and frontline community leadership rooted in climate justice.
Brand development, graphic design, and website development for LEAP-LA, an initiative uplifting indigenous and frontline community leadership for a regenerative future rooted in climate justice and reciprocity with nature.
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
Brand development, graphic design, and website development for LEAP-LA, an organization uplifting indigenous and frontline community leadership rooted in climate justice.
Physical game exploring land use planning and development.
Brand & Communications
Are you within 500ft
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles
500 Feet Mapping Tool
An interactive hazard-mapping tool that visualizes the proximity of hazardous and sensitive uses in South Central LA. The tool allows residents, advocates, and decision makers to explore neighborhoods, locate both hazardous and sensitive uses in communities, and learn about the types of industrial activity taking place right around the corner from their schools, churches, hospitals, and even their own homes. More importantly, similar to ground truthing, users can submit corrections through the tool and indicate the need to add, remove, or revise an incorrectly listed use, allowing us to continuously learn from the experts in our communities: the residents.
Liberty Hill Foundation, Los Angeles County, City of Los Angeles
Full-stack intake and referral system, branding, and graphic design for a countywide tenant-rights program.
theworksLA supported the first version of StayHoused LA, developing a full-stack intake and referral system for the countywide tenant-rights program, along with branding and graphic design. Engagement ended in 2023.
Omar works with data about all that is Los Angeles through maps, graphics and popular education. From identifying industrial facilities and their effects on communities to finding where all the tacos are in the city, there’s many stories to share.
Priscilla Hernandez is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator from Los Angeles. Her illustrations and design reflect the faces and values of her community. She hopes to bring culture, heritage and warmth to the digital world.
Stephanie Ivy is an artist from Los Angeles. Exploring mixed mediums and currently working on a degree in storyboard animation, Stephanie brings storytelling as a way to bring together art, data and community.
