Unveiling Histories: The Palace Hotel Interactive Experience
By Aaron Charles-Rhymes
The Palace Hotel Incident of 1875, a pivotal event symbolizing racial discrimination in the late 19th century, had been overlooked in mainstream history. As a result, there needed to be more awareness about this incident, and its implications had been largely unexplored. This gap in historical understanding allowed an essential conversation about social justice and racial equality to be missed.
Through our research, we identified a key problem: historical content often fails to engage modern audiences due to its presentation as distant and unrelated to the present. There was a clear need for a storytelling approach that would make the Palace Hotel Incident relevant and compelling for today's users.
In response to the problem identified, we proposed the following solution: Create a digital storytelling experience that transcends a traditional historical narrative by using immersive, interactive elements to draw parallels between past and present social issues. This approach would:
This solution aimed to bridge the gap between the 19th-century event and 21st-century users, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for history and its ongoing impact.
During this stage, I have dedicated my time to in-depth research on the Palace Hotel incident, using sources like historical records, newspapers, and personal diaries. To better understand the context, I also studied the overall historical period and socio-cultural aspects of San Francisco in 1875. I have brainstormed on how best to translate our findings into captivating Instagram stories and a timeline-based landing page website.
I have developed wireframes to depict the proposed visual and textual content for the Instagram stories and website. This included identification of significant events and turning points in the incident. Also I decided on a visual style that was representative of the era yet appealing to a modern audience.
I worked on creating minimalistic visually appealing and historically accurate content, I structured the website to present the timeline of events in a coherent and engaging manner. After that I created the Instagram stories, ensuring they were consistent with the website design.
The "Unveiling Histories: The Palace Hotel Incident of 1875" project successfully engaged a diverse audience through its innovative presentation of history. The Instagram stories received significant viewership and interaction, while the website experienced high traffic and extended session durations.
The project not only raised awareness about a significant historical event but also demonstrated the potential of digital platforms for historical storytelling. The overwhelming response and positive feedback marked the success of the project.
I'm a Product and Web Designer merging data-driven solutions with human-centered experiences. Through my work at Amazon and Delta Dental, I've refined my approach to creating intuitive digital products and interfaces. Drawing inspiration from everyday moments and digital art, I bring both creativity and technical precision to each project. Let's collaborate to bring your vision to life.
