Hi, I'm Ash Ngu.

I'm a designer and developer with a focus on data visualization. I'm energized by efforts to help people understand and care for the world.

Currently, I build data visualizations, stories, and tools for ProPublica. Previously, I made graphics at The New York Times.

Sometimes I take photos and make functional objects from wood.

Journalism
Photography
  • Danny Pham shares an intimate moment at GAMeBoi SF.
    San Francisco, California — Danny Pham shares an intimate moment at GAMeBoi SF.
    Part of a 2016 series called Coming Home, which highlighted queer Asian Americans and their concepts of home.
  • Roy Luo gets ready for a goth party with his sister and best friend.
    San Francisco, California — Roy Luo gets ready for a goth party with his sister and best friend.
    Part of the Coming Home series
  • On the anniversary of 9/11, members of the FDNY Emerald Society played bagpipes outside of O'Hara's Pub.
    Manhattan, New York — On the anniversary of 9/11, members of the FDNY Emerald Society played bagpipes outside of O'Hara's Pub.
  • An officer's head is gripped by a fellow first responder on the anniversary of 9/11.
    Manhattan, New York — An officer's head is gripped by a fellow first responder on the anniversary of 9/11.
  • Hsin Chuen-Lin demonstrates his throwing technique.
    Fremont, California — Hsin Chuen-Lin demonstrates his throwing technique.
  • Inger Brinck feeding their four-month old son. They are considering moving out of Oakland as housing costs increase.
    Oakland, California — Inger Brinck feeding their four-month old son. They are considering moving out of Oakland as housing costs increase.
    Part of the Coming Home series
  • A boy curls up underneath a slide to play his Nintendo DS.
    Kyoto, Japan — A boy curls up underneath a slide to play his Nintendo DS.
  • The ball flies wide in a casual match.
    Kyoto, Japan — The ball flies wide in a casual match.
  • Code for Palestine students play basketball after classes are done for the day.
    Jericho, West Bank — Code for Palestine students play basketball after classes are done for the day.
  • Code for Palestine students take design thinking classes in addition to programming.
    Jericho, West Bank — Code for Palestine students take design thinking classes in addition to programming.
  • Waiting for departure at Narita Airport.
    Chiba, Japan — Waiting for departure at Narita Airport.
  • Visiting a batik shop at a local market.
    Medan, Indonesia — Visiting a batik shop at a local market.
  • A boy catches and releases turtles at a local creek.
    Kyoto, Japan — A boy catches and releases turtles at a local creek.
  • A maple tree in the summer sun.
    Kyoto, Japan — A maple tree in the summer sun.
  • A boy and his father prepare to check the nets.
    Cook Inlet, Alaska — A boy and his father prepare to check the nets.
  • Salmon fishermen haul their net.
    Cook Inlet, Alaska — Salmon fishermen haul their net.
  • A tractor helps out on the fish site.
    Cook Inlet, Alaska — A tractor helps out on the fish site.
  • Kids play atop an ATV on the banks of a family-run salmon fishing operation.
    Cook Inlet, Alaska — Kids play atop an ATV on the banks of a family-run salmon fishing operation.
  • Marshall McLaughlin, an intern at a small organic farm in the Capay Valley.
    Rumsey, California — Marshall McLaughlin, an intern at a small organic farm in the Capay Valley.
  • Severine Von Tscharner Fleming of Smithereen Farm stops on her way to her blueberry barrens.
    Pembroke, Maine — Severine Von Tscharner Fleming of Smithereen Farm stops on her way to her blueberry barrens.
  • A multi-storied, wooden yurt built by Bill Coperthwaite.
    Machias, Maine — A multi-storied, wooden yurt built by Bill Coperthwaite.
  • Launching a kayak on the Pennamaquan River
    Pembroke, Maine — Launching a kayak on the Pennamaquan River
  • A high school quarterback asks a friend to deliver a rose during the Homecoming game.
    Palo Alto, California — A high school quarterback asks a friend to deliver a rose during the Homecoming game.
  • A kohai stands in front of a bonfire on the last night of camp.
    Danube Delta, Romania — A kohai stands in front of a bonfire on the last night of camp.
  • Looking out over the Cuyama Valley
    Maricopa, California — Looking out over the Cuyama Valley
  • The Columbus Park basketball courts are popular with residents in the Chinatown neighborhood.
    Manhattan, New York — The Columbus Park basketball courts are popular with residents in the Chinatown neighborhood.
  • Outside of Lincoln Center
    Manhattan, New York — Outside of Lincoln Center
  • Two mothers hold their daughters while watching July 4th fireworks over the East River.
    Brooklyn, New York — Two mothers hold their daughters while watching July 4th fireworks over the East River.
  • A young girl holds her dog at a Halloween pet costume festival.
    San Francisco, California — A young girl holds her dog at a Halloween pet costume festival.
Woodworking
  • Birch eating set
    Birch eating set
  • Cherry table set
    Cherry table set
  • Cherry flatpack low table
    Cherry flatpack low table
  • Small spoon, birch
    Small spoon, birch
  • Birch spoon
    Birch spoon
  • Cherry spoon
    Cherry spoon
  • Stool, salvaged redwood seat, cherry legs
    Stool, salvaged redwood seat, cherry legs
  • A round stool with a thermochromic leather cushion.
    A round stool with a thermochromic leather cushion.
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Birch eating set
Birch eating set
© 2023 — Ash Ngu