We hear that Kris Viesselman, creative director at the San Jose Mercury News, is leaving for a job at National Geographic. Deputy ME Matt Mansfield says she'll become "design director for maps and map-based information graphics."

"Kris has helped the Mercury News build on a strong visual journalism history. In the last year, her oversight of the design and graphics directors, as well as their teams, has been a force in making measurable change at the newspaper," Mansfield said.

Full memo to the staff after the jump.

From: Mansfield, Matt
Subject: A departure in design & graphics

I'm sorry to report that Kris Viesselman will be leaving the Mercury News in the middle of January.

Kris has helped the Mercury News build on a strong visual journalism history. In the last year, her oversight of the design and graphics directors, as well as their teams, has been a force in making measurable change at the newspaper.

Kris has accepted a very good job at National Geographic as design director for maps and map-based information graphics created for all the magazine titles, atlases, textbooks and interactive media made by NG.

As Kris herself says, "Ever since I peppered my purple bedroom walls with their maps and photos nearly 30 years ago, it's been my dream to work there."

It's cool that Kris has the chance to realize her dream, but it's a sad thing for the Mercury News, where Kris has used her considerable talent to build a more proactive graphics team and help create a daily features section that is much more nimble in the different ways it can tell stories. Her expertise will be missed, as will her friendship.

Kris has graciously agreed to stick around with us until we have finished the contest entries that are upon us at this time every year. We expect that her last day will be Jan. 13, but stay tuned ... there will assuredly be a gathering at a local pub to wish Kris well.

In the meantime, please join me in congratulating Kris on this next exciting challenge. I certainly hope the editors at National Geographic know they have made a wonderful hire.

-Matt