Jul 22, 2024
Scrollytelling
Freedom to Farm without Subsidies
MISSION
How do you make a reader care about a complex policy issue? You personalize it. In "Freedom to Farm without Subsidies," we aimed to increase public understanding of the unintended consequences of farm subsidy programs and spotlight alternative, sustainable farming models.
ROLE
Digital Producer & Lead Project Designer
APPROACH
By utilitizing multimedia and the "scrollytelling" format, we wanted to humanize complex policy conversations through using real farmers' voices. Farmers provided interviews and photographs to Cato's Policy Investigator, who also added policy context and historical background. I storyboarded the piece, integrating all these parts into a cohesive narrative. I also intentionally added sections with atmospheric videos and accompanying soundscapes, allowing the reader to "breathe" and setting the emotional tone.
RESULT
The final result was a layered, engaging narrative where understanding builds step-by-step for the reader. Interviews humanized policy and anchored emotional connection; textures, photographs, and other mood-setting multimedia gave the piece life and emotional weight. Graphs and data visualizations simplified complex federal spending and program structures.
