Digital interactives
But unlike a linear narrative, digital interactives put the user in control of how they digest information. They can browse topics, skip sections, or dive deeply into areas of high interest.
STORYFORMS
A strong digital interactive will offer the user a rich sensory experience using visuals, sound, and interactive exploration.
In-depth topics
Content formats:
Primarily either photo or data driven. Text is broken down into small chunks and nested inside the slides. Successful layouts tend to be vertical, with easy-to-spot options for the user to control the selection of
in-depth content.
Guides
Information is easy to find, well-organized, and useful. Time spent on page may not be as high but the user is rewarded with ‘news you can use.’
Games and quizzes
Provides the user a light, fun experience that is a nice break from the work day. If designed well, with progress markers, social engagement and performance feedback, the potential for time-spent-on-page could be high.
Micro site
Visual storytelling is the best use of digital interactives. A multi-day series or content with "chapters" might be suitable. Good reads with a variety of accompanying photos, videos, maps and charts are good candidates.
CONTENT MODULES
Match content to module and use in any combination
Show text on page
Shows content when hotspot is clicked or rolled over
ELEMENTS
- Main image (photo, diagram, map)
- Content that displays on click can include text, photos, graphics, etc.
Text or image swap
Replaces existing content with related new content
ELEMENTS
- Icon, text or photo that is first seen on page
- Content that swaps can vary (including text, photos, graphics, etc)
Can contain photos or text. Images can contain hot spots
ELEMENTS
- Series of paired content
(photo+caption, graphic+text,
map + text, etc)
Show on-page content
Click side menu, swaps infographics, images or text
ELEMENTS
- Menu can be text or icons
- Content that swaps can vary (including text, photos, graphics, etc)
Photos with captions
ELEMENTS
- Series of photos and captions. Can be modified to remove side caption and display a series of quotes, graphics, or text blocks.
Quiz
Answers can be displayed as photo or text buttons
ELEMENTS
- Series of questions with 1-3 wrong answers.
- Each question can be text-only, have a dominate visual or multiple images.
Icon links to pages
Icons link to new page inside the layout
ELEMENTS
- Image or icon with headline
- Linked page content contains collection of modules
Photo quiz or
“Spot the difference” photo pairing or scavenger hunt illustration
ELEMENTS
- Series of photos with suggested alterations
- Scene with hidden objects
2-up horizontal
image hunt
Multi-photo layout
Photo and text layouts
ELEMENTS
- Photos and captions. Can include text, if designed in sections.
Video-inclusive layout
Video can be embeded
ELEMENTS
- Video files can be placed on page or Youtube videos may be embedded
Timeline
Includes mouse overs and clickable hotspots
ELEMENTS
- Text and accompanying visuals or statistics
Interactive or static
Simple charts or embedded data visualizations (with caveats)
DIGITAL
INTERACTIVES
SCROLL DOWN
HOTSPOT
CAROUSEL
QUIZ
MENU
PHOTO/VIDEO
BEGINNING STRUCTURE
They are structured much like a traditional outline.
Digital interactives are stories that are well-organized into topics, subtopics, and supporting sections.
SEE EXAMPLE
SEE EXAMPLE
SEE EXAMPLE
SEE EXAMPLE
HOTSPOT
CAROUSEL
Can contain photos or text. Images can contain hot spots
QUIZ OR GAME
MODULES:
GRAPHIC
PHOTO/VIDEO
GRAPHIC
HOTSPOT
MENU
QUIZ
CAROUSEL
MODULES:
MENU
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
GRAPHICS
A variety of graphics can be generated
Complex data visualizations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis
ELEMENTS
- Data from spreadsheets
- Some embedded visualizations
