Digital Extractivism

I conducted research by first analysing different types of visual essays to broaden my view. Utilising websites such as Frieze, I was able to see great examples. After stumbling on the Louisiana mapping portal, I was encapsulated by how the project is portrayed, both in terms of context and visual standpoint. I then conducted research on the Scramble of Africa in 1884, followed by present day exploitation of Africa. For further information, I have a blog dedicated to this project here.

With the goal of having to display my visual essay in the form of an interactive map, I had many different ways to approach this. Having the user zoom in to the relevant country of discussion, it remains their focus to where I want it to be.

I decided to have different designs for each era to make the design feel real. I selected specific fonts and colours for each respective era, and used it throughout its relevant section to maintain consistency. Each visual has its own representation of colonialism such as the past mimicking the aesthetics of 19th century cartography, present representing the hard, cold metal and equipment used to mine the lands, and the "futuristic" era embodies technology.

Once finished, I had a peer test the prototype. They were given free reign to navigate around without my input. This was to simply spot any bugs or problems I didn't catch before. After that, I presented my work in front of an audience. Through this, I was able to pitch and showcase it with no problems. At the end of the presentation, I asked different questions regarding the prototype as whether leaving or adding something to this would better/worse this piece.