A bad photo gallery idea

Posted on September 19, 2007 by Melissa Worden

So when you’re sitting in that editorial meeting, thinking of ways to make your charts, fact boxes, etc., interactive, please keep in mind this piece by CNN as a sample of what NOT to do.

I know I don’t have to explain why.

But it’s a great example to show your newsroom the importance of choosing the best media/storytelling form for your content.

At least they didn’t hide the captions automatically on load.

Comments

7 Responses to “A bad photo gallery idea”

Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Wednesday squibs on September 19th, 2007 10:55 pm

[…] A bad photo gallery idea. What Melissa sez. Just ’cause we have the technology, doesn’t mean we have to use it. Compare and contrast to this piece on The Beatles. […]
Mindy McAdams on September 19th, 2007 11:34 pm

Wow, that slideshow should win a “Most Stupid” award! Way to bore me to tears!
William M. Hartnett on September 19th, 2007 11:50 pm

Still trying to figure out what the “Page Down” key has to do with my Social Security benefits.
Meranda on September 20th, 2007 9:28 am

Wow, that is bad. Really bad. Makes you wonder whose idea it was and what the producer putting it together was thinking of that person as he/she wondered the same thing while compiling it.
Patrick Beeson on September 20th, 2007 11:13 am

I think what you got there is a prime specimen of an online advertorial. At least that’s what I hope it is — CNN is better than this.
orcmid on September 20th, 2007 2:39 pm

That was truly awful. In addition, if you’re in the age group that worries about this the most, the small print isn’t helpful either.

Unbelievably, remarkably, truly awful. And it could have been a single web page with small images and links to useful comment relevant to the captions/bullet-points.

I am at a loss for further words.
MarkDM on September 21st, 2007 5:49 pm

Neat. One of the photos is shot all blurry, the way CNN evidently thinks things will look when we’re at retirement age. Then the final photo shows us the solution: a pair of glasses, apparently the ones worn by Dominick Dunne. Way to tie it all together, CNN!