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Narrative visual communication

Listening closely, digging into a subject, distilling complex issues to their essence, and shaping them into
something clear – in words and images. That’s the work I love most, and it’s where I can genuinely help others.
My work spans four areas: visual storytelling, illustration, infographics and graphic journalism, and
communication advice and implementation. On the homepage Home you’ll find examples of
my projects; descriptions are in Dutch. Please contact me Contact page if you have any questions.

Monique van Dongen

Narrative visual communication is the thread that runs through both my work and my education. I studied
Visual Communication at the Academy of Art and Design in ’sHertogenbosch, followed by Film and Television
Studies at Utrecht University. From there, I moved into the communication field and worked for the Dutch
national government – since 2013 for the Netherlands Labour Authority, a meaningful organisation dealing
with issues that truly matter.
During the Visual Storytelling and Narrative programme at Venster Academy in Utrecht, everything came together: my earlier
studies, my professional experience, and my love for stories. Being struck by an event, researching it, shaping
a narrative, drawing, writing – that’s the work I want to continue doing.
I bring experience in strategy, consultancy, and handson execution. Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked as a
communications advisor for government bodies and publicprivate partnerships. I’m familiar with social issues,
often involving politically sensitive topics and seemingly conflicting interests. I work from the content
outward, immerse myself in the client’s perspective, and at the same time try to keep the fresh eye of an
outsider. “If I don’t understand it, many others won’t either” is a guiding principle when shaping a message.
And I believe that, more often than not, less is better than more.

About the name Levitt

The name Levitt is a tribute to my partner Ruud, who passed away in 2012. In 1999 we travelled together
through the eastern United States — from Washington to New York, Buffalo, and Chicago. It was a trip full of
unexpected discoveries, including the town of Levittown on Long Island. Not the first, but certainly one of the
most successful American suburbs. Built shortly after the Second World War, full of ideals but also,
unfortunately, contributing to segregation. Despite criticism of its uniformity, people there are generally
happy.
A few years after that trip, Ruud was searching for a name for his company. He chose Levitt BV, inspired by
that shared memory. I wanted to carry that name forward — and that’s how Levitt Communicatie came into
being.

Link to article on Levittown: https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2025/march/the-legacy-of-levittowns.html