The never ending witch hunts
Concept
“The Never Ending Witch-Hunts” is an interactive and immersive media project that delves into historical and modern-day persecution through the lens of witch hunts. By connecting the past with the present, the project explores misogyny as a recurring force shaping the oppression of women and marginalized communities. The experience unfolds through an interactive website where participants navigate the story of Lara, a fictional character based on real-world events, who is arrested for political activism in Iran. Through a series of digital interactions, users engage with history, social activism, and modern technology to uncover the truth and advocate for justice.
* Click on the image to access the experience prototype
Experience Goals
The objective of “The Never Ending Witch-Hunts” is to create a thought-provoking experience that engages users emotionally while educating them about historical and contemporary witch hunts. The project seeks to:
Foster awareness, both historical and current, about gender-based persecution.
Encourage digital activism through interactive storytelling.
Provide a compelling and immersive way for users to connect with historical and present-day injustices.
Utilize technology to create an educational tool that sparks discussion and action.
Inspiration
Inspired by historical accounts starting with both the European and American witch trials, feminist discourse, and digital media activism, the project aimed to merge journalism with interactive design. TIME Magazine’s legacy of investigative journalism provided a foundation, while contemporary digital movements (e.g., social media activism) shaped the interactive elements. The emotional weight of real-life cases such as the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran further informed the narrative and visual approach.
The story in a nutshell
Lara, the protagonist, is a young Iranian activist who disappears after participating in a protest. Her mother, Mina, serves as the emotional anchor, guiding the audience through the search for her daughter. This narrative mirrors real cases of political prisoners and women persecuted for their beliefs, making the story highly relevant and impactful.
Development
Concept Iterations
The project evolved significantly through multiple iterations:
Initial versions focused on a speculative future where witch hunts re-emerged in modern society.
Midway, the focus shifted to a more realistic portrayal of gender-based persecution in Iran.
The interactive format transitioned from an Alternate Reality Game (ARG) concept to a structured digital storytelling experience.
The final iteration refined interactions, ensuring that users could actively engage with the story while being educated about its historical parallels.
Technical Development - Technology
The interactive experience was developed using Adobe XD to ensure a seamless and visually compelling user experience. The website was designed to include:
A map of Tehran with key locations related to Lara’s disappearance.
A simulated Instagram page providing clues about her activities.
A chatbot interface where users communicate with Mina.
Forums for discussion as well as information about current campaigns so that users felt empowered to start enacting change from the comfort of their home.
Final thoughts
“The Never Ending Witch-Hunts” stands as a testament to the intersection of technology, history, and activism. By blending immersive storytelling with real-world issues, the project demonstrates how digital media can serve as a powerful tool for education and advocacy. As expanded media continues to evolve, this project sets a precedent for using technology to shed light on pressing global issues, ensuring that history’s lessons are never forgotten.
The project provided valuable insights into:
The power of digital storytelling in raising awareness and empathy.
The complexities of interactive web design, including the challenges of seamless navigation and user engagement.
The ethical considerations of using real-world tragedies in digital experiences.
The importance of team collaboration, especially when integrating different skill sets such as UI/UX design, storytelling, and technical development.
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