Exploring No-Code Digital Storytelling: Hoover’s “Fanning the Flames” Exhibit

In a previous post, we introduced the concept of “scrollytelling” and the types of digital storytelling platforms that support it—including both code-based and no-code platforms. This post will continue our exploration with the review of a no-code story example: “Fanning the Flames: Propaganda in Modern Japan,” created by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Notably, Hoover introduces the Fanning the Flames content as digital stories, the core topics can be viewed in any order, and once clicked on, displays the content in a linear fashion.

Details of Hoover’s “Fanning the Flames” Exhibit

• Online Exhibit: Fanning the Flames: Propaganda in Modern Japan
• Institution: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
• Digital Publishing Platform: Shorthand

Storytelling Infrastructure

The storytelling infrastructure for this example is:

• Story Path: Linear Pathway
• Storytelling Performance Types: Written, Visual
• Sensory Setting: Color

A still photo from “Nishiki-e Defined: A Core Topic of Modern Japan,” Fanning the Flames: Propaganda in Modern Japan. Source: Hoover Institution Library & Archives, https://fanningtheflames.hoover.org/shorthand-story/5. This image displays the landing page for this section of the Fanning the Flames online exhibit.

Upon clicking to view a core topic area, “scrollytelling” kicks in as the written text and content reveal themselves as you scroll down the page. The story makes use of colorful and expansive images with a lot of action occurring. Each area contains a mixture of artwork, prints, photographs, maps, and timelines. A selection of highly visual items is offered in display tools.

3 Storytelling Tools Present in this Example

Let’s take a closer look at three of the storytelling tools featured in this exhibit:

• Deep Zoom
• Color Compare and Contrast
• Hot Spots of Information

Storytelling Tool: Deep Zoom

Deep zoom is offered selectively for detailed prints. The digital surrogate of the print is a high-resolution scan so it’s possible to zoom into a tiny area of detail within a very detailed print.

A still photo from “Nishiki-e Defined: A Core Topic of Modern Japan,” Fanning the Flames: Propaganda in Modern Japan. Source: Hoover Institution Library & Archives, https://fanningtheflames.hoover.org/shorthand-story/5. This image displays a portion of the long-form story with an image display tool.

Storytelling Tool: Color Compare and Contrast

In a couple examples throughout the digital story, there are compare and contrast display windows. On the left side is the black and white print version, on the right is the colored-in version. By dragging the arrow button, the left or the right, you can determine how much of the image is shown in black and white, and how much in color.

A still from “Nishiki-e Defined: A Core Topic of Modern Japan,” Fanning the Flames: Propaganda in Modern Japan. Source: Hoover Institution Library & Archives, https://fanningtheflames.hoover.org/shorthand-story/5. This image demonstrates a tool that allows the visitors to slide from one side of the image to the other, revealing either a black and white illustration or a color version of the same.

Digital Storytelling Tool: Hot Spots of Information

The final interesting tool I’ll highlight is the hot spot map overlaid on visual images. For images with a lot of detail, there’s an abundance of additional historical detail that can be provided. The image shown in this example catalogs 23 different hotspot areas that when clicked on, reveal a text bubble with further contextual information.

A still from “Nishiki-e Defined: A Core Topic of Modern Japan,” Fanning the Flames: Propaganda in Modern Japan. Source: Hoover Institution Library & Archives, https://fanningtheflames.hoover.org/shorthand-story/5. This image displays a “hot spot” engagement tool, Genially, that allows visitors to click into the featured image and learn more about the person, place, or things portrayed.

Restrained and Elegant Digital Storytelling

Hoover maximizes the visual medium of a storytelling platform with large and beautifully visual materials. Items placed in special display tools were done with restraint so as not to overwhelm. The further incorporation of maps and timelines help to communicate information visually and limit verbosity. The outcome is a well-balanced digital story that engages visitors while successfully seeing them through to the end.