URL: https://stories.state.gov/182-days/
“182 Days of Putin’s Unjust War” is a moving and impactful website that chronicles the events of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Through a combination of compelling stories, multimedia content, and interactive features, the website sheds light on the impact and human toll of the war and provides a platform for voices often unheard in mainstream media. The website highlights the human cost of war and calls attention to the urgent need for international action to end the conflict. The site has a very clear message of calling out Putin and Russia for the atrocities of an unjust war and garnering international support for Ukraine.
The Content
The website has a series of stories, images, videos, and testimonies documenting the experiences of individuals affected by the conflict in Ukraine. From civilians living in war-torn regions to soldiers on the front lines, each story offers a personal perspective on the devastating consequences of Putin’s aggression. The content is both informative and emotionally touching, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the human suffering of war.
The heart of the website is its collection of personal narratives that offer deep glimpses into the lives of those caught in the crossfire of the conflict. From stories of families displaced from their homes to firsthand testimonies of soldiers risking their lives on the front lines, each story accompanied with a photograph paints a vivid portrait of the horros, difficulties, and survival of the war. Through these narratives showcased on the website, viewers are faced with the explicit hard truth of the war and forced to empathize with the human faces behind the headlines and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of life in the war.
The Design
Below is a picture of the homepage of the website. This is the first thing viewers see when they access the website.
You then scroll down a chronoligcal story of pictures, excerpts, and narratives of various peoples experiences during the war.
The design of “182 Days of Putin’s Unjust War” is extremely straightforward with a user-friendly layout. It literally tells viewers what to do and that is just one thing, scroll down. This makes it as easy as possible which enhances accessibility and ensures that visitors can easily navigate through the website with minimal effort.
The linear and intuitive scrolling format, where users simply need to scroll down the page to access all the content eliminates the need for complex menus or navigation bars, making the website easily accessible to users of all ages and media literacy skills. Users are not required to click through multiple pages or navigate through intricate menus to access information, as everything is presented in a chronological sequence and easy-to-follow manner.
The Call To Action
Featured at the end of the scrolling is the call to action. All the viewer is asked to do is share the story on any of the social media platforms shown below.
The inclusion of the call to action at the end of the scrolling experience, inviting viewers to share the story on social media platforms, represents a strategic and user-friendly approach to encouraging audience engagement and amplifying the reach of the content. By positioning the call to action at the end of the scrolling journey, the website maximizes the impact of the storytelling experience and capitalizes on the emotions generated by the content.
One of the key strengths of this specific call to action is its simplicity and ease of use. Rather than requiring users to navigate the social media themselves or compose their own social media posts, the social media link streamlines the process by providing precomposed sharing options for popular social media platforms. Once you click on one of the links the social media message is already composed for you and all the user needs to do is press post. This is the ultimate utilization of the user experience.
Below is an example of the pop up when you click on one of the social media icons.
This approach removes potential barriers to engagement by minimizing the effort required on the part of the user. Instead of having to craft a post from scratch or navigate away from the website to share the content manually, users can simply click on the social media platform icon, which triggers a pre-made post.
This not only increases the visibility and reach of the storytelling campaign but also fosters engagement and conversation around the issues highlighted on the website. This call to action is a great example of a a practical tool for advocacy and awareness-raising.
My Final Thoughts
In conclusion, “182 Days of Putin’s Unjust War” is a stellar example of digital media’s power to amplify certain voices and stories. With its effective storytelling, diverse multimedia content, and user-friendly features, the website not only educates and informs but also provokes empathy and activates action within users. Through its seamless integration of universal design principles and thoughtful user experience enhancements, the website ensures that its impactful message resonates with audiences of all backgrounds and abilities.
One of the most distinct aspects of the website is its commitment to universal design, which seeks to create inclusive and accessible experiences for all users. From its intuitive scrolling format to its easy navigation and copywriting, the website prioritizes usability and accessibility at every turn. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that individuals with disabilities or impairments can fully engage with the content, whether through screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies.
Also, the website’s emphasis on user experience goes beyond accessibility considerations to interactive storytelling features. The linear scrolling format, for instance, guides users through the narrative journey with ease, eliminating distractions. Also, the incorporation of multimedia, such as videos, images, and testimonies, enriches the storytelling experience, captivating audiences and activating their emotional engagement with the subject matter.
Further Reading
“182 Days of Putin’s Unjust War” Website: 182 Days Website
Webby Awards: Webby Awards Winners
