DH Tools
One design choice I made in Scalar was placing a large image at the top of my page. The image shows me standing on a golf course holding my golf bag. I placed this image first so viewers would immediately see something important about me before reading any text.
The goal of this choice was to grab the viewer's attention and show one of my main interests right away. Images help people understand information quickly, so this photo helps viewers learn something about me without reading a lot of text.
Scalar made this choice easy because it allows images to be placed directly inside the page with text. Since Scalar pages are designed for scrolling, putting the image at the top helps guide the viewer to start there and then move down the page.
This connects to a design idea from our Graphic Design reading called visual hierarchy. Visual hierarchy means that larger or more noticeable items grab attention first. By placing a large image at the top, the viewer's attention goes to the image before the text.
Another design choice I made in Scalar was placing images next to short sections of text. For example, I included a sunset photo of a lake to represent my interest in spending time outside and relaxing near water.
I did this so the page would feel more like a story instead of just a paragraph of text. Each image represents a different part of my life and helps explain the text next to it.
Scalar helped with this because the site is designed to tell stories using images and text together. It lets you place media inside the page so the viewer can move through the content step by step.
This connects to a website design idea called chunking information. Chunking means breaking information into smaller sections so it is easier to read and understand. By using images with short text sections, the page becomes easier to follow.
In Omeka I used an exhibit style layout where each image is shown as its own item with a description. One example is the photo of me with my football coach after a game.
The goal of this design was to make the images feel like items in a collection instead of just pictures on a page. Each image represents an important moment in my life.
Omeka shaped this decision because it is designed for digital collections and exhibits. Instead of placing images inside a story like Scalar, Omeka encourages users to upload items with information about them.
This connects to a website design idea about organizing content clearly. When each item has its own space and description, it is easier for viewers to understand what they are looking at.
Another design choice I made in Omeka was including information about each image. I added details about what the photo shows and why it is important.
The goal was to give viewers context so they understand the meaning behind the image. Without explanations, viewers might not know why the photo matters.
Omeka encourages this because it requires documentation for items. This helps turn the images into more meaningful pieces of information instead of just pictures.
This connects to a design idea about giving viewers context. When people know the background of something, they can understand its importance more clearly.
Analytical Questions
Question 1
How does the structure of a digital platform change the way people understand information?
While working on this project I noticed that Scalar presents information more like a story, while Omeka presents information more like a collection of items. This difference made me think about how the structure of a website can influence how people understand ideas.
Why is this important for culture? If digital platforms organize information differently, they may influence how ideas develop and how people remember them.
Question 2
How does adding descriptions and documentation change the way people view images?
In Omeka each image has information explaining what it shows and why it matters. This made the images feel more important than they would if they were just posted without explanation.
Why is this important? When objects and images are documented, they become part of history and cultural memory. Digital tools help decide what information is preserved and how it is understood.
Elevator Talk 1
If I had to explain my project to someone who was unsure about digital displays, I would say that digital platforms help us understand how ideas move through culture.
When I created my project in Scalar and Omeka, I noticed that the same images and text created very different experiences depending on the platform. Scalar made the page feel like a story, while Omeka made the images feel like items in a collection.
This shows that the way information is presented can change how people interpret it. Digital humanities tools allow researchers to experiment with these different ways of presenting information.
By doing this, scholars can better understand how ideas develop, change, and continue in culture.
Elevator Talk 2
Some people might think learning tools like Scalar and Omeka is unnecessary because commercial website builders are easier to use. However, digital humanities tools are designed for different purposes.
These tools focus on sharing knowledge, preserving information, and giving people access to materials they might not normally see.
For example, Omeka requires documentation for each item. This helps viewers understand where the information comes from and why it is important.
Trevor Owens explains that digital humanities scholars often need to learn technical skills so they can build tools that support research instead of relying on commercial products.
My experience with this project shows that these tools encourage careful organization, documentation, and thoughtful presentation of information. These goals are important for scholars who want to study and share cultural ideas.