Until such time as textbooks are written on the subject of linear storytelling to facilitate reading on mobile devices, we must turn to actual examples to learn and to get inspiration.
One such recent story appeared this week in The New York Times. The story, headlined, The Hidden Messages in North Korea’s Military Parade, and written by Max Fisher, is about how a Saturday military parade appeared intended to send a message to the rest of the world: The country is seeking a program sophisticated enough to fire a guaranteed nuclear retaliation in any war, including one day against the United States.
I like how the story begins with a series of alternating videos, with no sound, that immediately convey what the headline tells us.
The story then concentrates on four major “messages” that the North Koreans are trying to transmit to the world. In each case, the statement is highlighted with larger type, followed by a corresponding silent video, with the narrative continuing.
This is a simple story that could have been ignored if treated differently. Another reason to consider linear visual storytelling when we know so many of our readers will be consuming the story on a mobile platform.
Speaking Engagements Coming Up
SIPConnect 2017, to be held in Miami June 21-23, is a program of the Inter American Press Association, IAPA, or SIP (Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa). The venue will be the Hilton Miami Downtown Hotel.
Details:
Join us at the SIPConnect Hemispheric Conference 2017. Organized by the IAPA, SIPConnect is a gathering of media and digital businesses to encourage more audiences and higher revenues. It’s a laboratory for new ideas and successful experiences for the digital transformation. As in the 2016 successful meeting that was attended by media from the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, experts in digital businesses and representatives of innovative companies will participate in this event.
For more information: http://www.sipiapa.org/notas/1211078-llamado-sipconnect-2017