New Formats in Journalism

Jorge Vázquez-Herrero, Ph.D., Department of Communication Sciences, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Course Type: Social Science-focused

Keywords: journalism, studio-based, web, Figma

University Department Level Credits Length Medium
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Communication Sciences Undergrad 6 12 weeks In-person

Course Description

The course places Journalism students in the contemporary scenario of digital communication, taking into account the evolution of media and technologies, as well as the convergence process, the transformations in journalistic media and the effects of audience participation. The new audiovisual and multimedia formats that have emerged are studied and analyzed, together with the new products for the Web. The workflow and ethical considerations involved in interactive storytelling are addressed in the course. The aim of the subject is that the student acquires knowledge about the new formats and products for the Web and to be able to design digital and interactive journalistic projects.

Weekly Outline

  1. Origin of the network and digital cultural production / Lab: Web design fundamentals
  2. Evolution of the Internet and digital journalism / Lab: Web design fundamentals
  3. Multiplication of channels in the digital scenario / Lab: Parallax report
  4. Convergence in journalism and cybermedia / Lab: Parallax report
  5. Innovation and medialabs / Lab: Formats for social media journalism
  6. Participation in journalism / Lab: Formats for social media journalism
  7. Transmedia storytelling / Lab: Transmedia storytelling
  8. Complexity, multimedia report and data visualization / Lab: Interactive project design (narrative)
  9. Interactive narratives / Lab: Interactive project design (structure)
  10. Immersive narratives and newsgames / Lab: Interactive project design (interaction)
  11. Microformats, social media and mobile devices / Lab: Interactive project design (interface)
  12. Automation and big data, audio and podcast / Lab: Interactive project design (dossier and pitch)

Course Objectives ​

  • Understand the characteristics of new formats and products for the Web and their application to journalism.
  • Analyze models and formats of digital journalism.
  • Design and elaborate informative pieces with hypertextual, multimedia and interactive language. 
  • Explore the possibilities of the new expressive modalities in the construction of journalistic messages, from collecting real events and data to structuring and producing an IDN.
  • Manage teamwork, creativity and entrepreneurial attitude to develop own projects.

Reading

  • Digital journalism: 25 years of research, Ramón Salaverría (PDF)
  • Webjornalismo: 7 características que marcam a diferença, João Canavilhas (PDF)
  • Chapter 1: Media Innovations, Tanja Storsul & Arne H. Krumsvik (PDF)
  • Journalism has a focus problem: How to combat Shiny Things Syndrome, Julie Posetti (Website)
  • Digital News Report (Website)
  • Chapter 1: Narrativas transmedia: cuando todos los medios cuentan, Carlos Scolari (PDF)
  • Mapping the intersection of two cultures: Interactive documentary and digital journalism, William Uricchio (Website)
  • Periodismo inmersivo o cómo la realidad virtual y el videojuego influyen en la interfaz e interactividad del relato de actualidad, Eva Domínguez (PDF)
  • Immersive Journalism as Storytelling, Turo Uskali et al. (PDF)
  • Newsgames: Journalism at play, Ian Bogost
  • Manual de nuevos formatos y narrativas para el periodismo y la no ficción, Susana Herrera & José Luis Rojas

IDN Artifacts

  • Highrise (Web)
  • Hollow (Web)
  • Quipu Project (Web and video)
  • Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek (Web)
  • The N-Word (Web)
  • Do Not Track (Web)
  • Parir en el siglo XXI (Web and podcast)
  • 6×9 (VR)
  • Fukushima, vidas contaminadas (360º video)
  • Montelab (Web)
  • The Ocean Game (Web)

IDE and IDN Authoring Tools

  • HTML+CSS+Javascript
  • Twine (IDN Authoring Tool)
  • Figma (IDN Authoring Tool)
  • Klynt (IDE)
  • H5P (CMS component)

Major Assignments (being assignments whose value is of 25% or more)

Interactive project design

  • Platform: Paper, audiovisual.
  • Purpose: To design an interactive digital narrative project in the field of journalism or non-fiction, and present it with a dossier and pitch, applying the knowledge acquired throughout the course.
  • Requirements:
    • Project Length: Not determined.
    • Project Size: At least four sections, three levels of depth in the sitemap and two modes of navigation available for alternative navigation.
    • Project Aesthetics: At least four visual prototypes and a teaser of the project, a logo and definition of the graphic identity.
    • Coding Proficiency: Not required, must provide sitemap, flowchart and wireframes.
  • Evaluation: 
    • Interactivity: The format (or the different formats and the transmedia strategy, if any) is clearly defined: its specific characteristics are presented, the descriptions are concrete, there are no ambiguities; the format is consistent with the story. They explain the interactive functions through the mechanisms and possibilities available to the user, where and how participation is implemented and how it is managed; they consider an onboarding process and a time/duration control of the experience. The role of the user in the story is well defined. A coherent interactive structure is reflected in a sitemap that is hierarchical and ordered. A platform map is included and each platform is defined, as well as its relationship with the central node of the transmedia strategy. A flowchart representing the interactive project as a process is presented: it correctly uses the graphical elements of a flowchart and decision points are correctly indicated; the flowchart is consistent with the narrative, the format and the sitemap.
    • Story and narrative: It has a title and synopsis. They provide documentation. A spatio-temporal context, the facts and the actors/characters involved are defined. The story has interest, relevance and impact.
    • Production values: The final dossier includes all the contents required. The sitemap and flowchart are presented. The graphic identity is defined, four wireframes and four visual prototypes of the expected result of the project are included. The design is attractive and coherent with the story. A teaser of the format is presented and the ‘essence’ of the project is captured in the proposal. The effort to incorporate an approach to planning and resources needed in the production is positively valued. The presentation follows the expected pitching format (8-10 minutes): it highlights the key ideas of the story and the format; it is correct, creative, convincing and attractive.

Parallax report

  • Platform: Web.
  • Purpose: To produce a parallax report with its own photographic series and a narrative story, based on a template prepared by the professor.
  • Requirements:
    • Project Length: Not determined.
    • Project Size: At least six sections.
    • Project Aesthetics: At least five photos, one embedded content and parallax effect. Full-screen design.
    • Coding Proficiency: Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS; optionally, advanced functions of CSS3, HTML5, Javascript or embedded elements.
  • Evaluation: 
    • Interactivity: Navigation –based on parallax scrolling– makes sense and shows unity. Web elements are used to structure the content (blocks/sections, colors, titles, etc.). The student demonstrates an effort to modify the model proposed by the professor. Multimedia elements, menus, buttons, new content blocks, etc. are incorporated, and the website remains functional and user-friendly.
    • Story and narrative: Through images and short texts, it tells a story based on reality. There is a common topic and consistency in the treatment of the images and in their layout. The contents are structured in an orderly and rational way.
    • Production values: The website works correctly, without general errors, interrupted navigation due to bugs, content out of place, etc. Both desktop and mobile versions are evaluated, since the priority in this case is a correct visualization on the desktop. Images are appropriate in size, framing/position and file size. There is uniformity in the application of styles (colors, fonts, etc.). The work is of high quality, correct in terms of design, audiovisual, spelling and grammar.

Course Best Practices

  • The course has 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of computer lab per week, so it is necessary to advance theoretical knowledge in the lectures and allocate analysis tasks to apply later in the practical sessions.
  • It is especially important for them to analyze journalistic projects so that they can take references and be able to understand how IDNs are built.
  • Before addressing the final assignment, students should work on small, specific tasks, and then be able to deal with a larger and more complex project.
  • The professor guides students throughout the course to understand the transition from project conception to architecture, materialization and dissemination of a journalistic IDN project.
  • It is convenient to have an online space (LMS) for them to deepen in the different topics introduced in the classes, through complementary materials, activities, forums or questionnaires.
  • Constant monitoring of progress is recommended, with an impact on the student’s assessment.