INTERACTIVITY IN nEWS gRAPHICS

5 AUGUST 2006

I was invited to speak on a panel at the annual AEJMC conference.

eXAMPLES OF oNLINE nEWS gRAPHICS

  1. Maps can help add context to an ongoing story or deliver a huge quantity of data in an accessible way
    Example 1 | Tracking a serial rapist (deadline graphic)
    Example 2 | NY Times's new election map
  2. Animated information graphics let people explore the story
    Example 1 | Explaining a news event (process, sequence)
    Example 2 | Stonehenge (larger view)
    Example 3 | U.S. Open Course Tour
  3. Integration of graphics with video
    Example 1 | Minnesota Olympic athletes

Elements of Interactivity

  1. Control
  2. Choices
  3. Communication
  4. Adaptivity (automatic adjustment to the user)
  5. Modifiability (initiated by the user)
  6. Feedback from the audience
  7. Responsiveness (some researchers define this as speed)
  8. Immersion or "telepresence"

We usually see some of 1, 2, and 7 in animated news graphics. Video games are excellent examples of 7 and 8.

Resources

Teaching Online Journalism
In my blog I link to new examples of online multimedia journalism, recommend tools and tips, and comment on trends in the field

Interactivity and Mass Communication
Scholarly reference list

Flash Journalism: Professional Practice Today
Article published in the Online Journalism Review, Sept. 22, 2005
12 online journalists tell us why and how they use Flash

Flash Journalism (the book): At Amazon.com

Flash Journalism: Web site for the book
An assortment of professional examples are linked on this page

SNDies (recent monthly winners)
Society of News Design annual interactive awards (direct links to 2005 annual winners are here)

Interactive Narratives
A database and group blog of great online work and news about our journalism tools (now featuring podcasts)

Flash tutorials at GotoAndLearn.com (free)
This site has the best video tutorials for Flash 7 and 8