Visualizing History: The Case For Chronography

Abstract

This paper outlines the inspiration for and investigation of the use of new media as a tool for teaching history visually by mapping chronological data. These methods include an animated demonstration of a modular interactive timeline system and infographic posters. The paper's first section is research based, and details the shortcomings of human perception as it relates to long spans of time, and the benefits of visual representation of time, as well as the various motives that make up the project's overall theme; for example it's special focus on technological determinism. The second section is an artist statement reporting on the process of constructing the project, its resulting product, and a final assessment of the concept and it's potential for further development.