One mark of a good story is that you fall into it, enraptured by every detail. The same is true of multimedia storytelling—except that, depending on the medium, you can sometimes virtually (if not literally) “fall in.” The artist and New Yorker contributor Christoph Niemann was thinking along these lines when he created an augmented-reality experience for our Innovators Issue this past spring. “If you create a world on paper, you create a window,” he said. “Usually, you just break the surface of paper with your mind, but you always have the feeling of, What if you could step into that world or if something could come out of it?” Using our augmented-reality app, Uncovr, readers can access the world that Niemann built, transforming the front and back covers of the printed issue into an animated cityscape to explore.
In 2016, augmented reality was only one of several mediums that brought New Yorker stories to life. The pixels of our screens saw cinemagraphs and data visualizations, interactive games and sketchbooks, essays told through photography and video, 360° animations, and even iMessage stickers. Our readers could hear from first-time voters, or listen to the music of the teenagers who are shaping pop, as well as listen to our recurring series of New Yorker poets and authors reciting their work from the magazine. Here is a selection of the best in interactive and multimedia storytelling from the past year.
The Long View
By Raffi Khatchadourian
From high in the air, the photographer Edward Burtynsky captures sweeping images of industrial projects and their effects on the environment.
Uncovr
Illustrated by Christoph Niemann
Bring the cover of the 2016 Innovators Issue to life with the augmented-reality app, Uncovr.
First-Time Voters
Photography and Video by Katy Grannan
Twenty Americans describe why they are voting in a Presidential election for the first time, and explain which candidate they will choose.
The Teenagers Who Are Shaping Pop
Text by Matthew Trammell
Photography by Elizabeth Renstrom
With a combination of technical achievement and wily innovation, these eleven young artists are influencing mainstream music.
Trump and the Truth
This spin wheel contains a Trump whopper pulled from every essay in our series on Donald Trump’s lies.
The American Dream
By Philip Montgomery and Afi Scruggs
During the Republican National Convention, an ice sculpture at a Cleveland art gallery inspired passersby to consider the concept of the American dream.
Books Just for Grownups!
An interactive sketchbook by Liana Finck
A selection of children’s literature, updated for adults.
“Serve!”
In honor of the U.S. Open, cover artist Christoph Niemann brings the September 5, 2016, cover to life as a 360° animation.
Modest Models
Photographs By Pari Dukovic
Text by Judith Thurman
A New York-based modelling agency seeks to dispel the idea that Islam and modern fashion are incompatible.
Full Exposure
A portfolio by Diane Arbus.
Everything Water Touches
An interactive video by Zackary Canepari and Jessica Gimmick
The fear of water in Flint, Michigan.
How the Gun Industry Sells Self-Defense
Millions of Americans are licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Most say that they do so for self-defense.
The New Yorker Sticker Pack
Illustrated and animated by Christoph Niemann
Sometimes words are not enough, and that’s why there are stickers.
The Trans Community of Christopher Street
Photographs by Mark Seliger
Portraits from the neighborhood where the L.G.B.T. movement began.
Top of the Town
Photography by Pari Dukovic
Text by James Sanders
The strangely magical views from Manhattan’s observation decks.
How to Save the Democratic Party
Reporting by Nicholas Lemann
Interactive by Matthew Conlen
With this interactive, change voters’ political loyalties to build a winning coalition.
A Periodic Table of New York City Trash
By Molly Young and Teddy Blanks
Explore the trash found on New York City sidewalks.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Through the Years
The best visuals of the Presidential candidates through the years, from the archive of The New Yorker.
