Short answer

Be mindful of how your design project might frame or be perceived in relation to historical events, as this framing will shape how users understand and remember its significance.

Field: Classic Design
Source: Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (2019)
Method: Narrative analysis
Evidence: Strong effect

The way a historical event is presented and framed in media over time significantly influences how a community collectively remembers and understands that event's significance and ongoing impact. This classic design research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Using Narrative analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Be mindful of how your design project might frame or be perceived in relation to historical events, as this framing will shape how users understand and remember its significance.

Study

Classic DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Framing of historical events shapes enduring collective memory

The way a historical event is presented and framed in media over time significantly influences how a community collectively remembers and understands that event's significance and ongoing impact.

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) · 2019

Key Findings

01Newspapers consistently framed the 1967 Milwaukee race riots as a reflection of persistent, unresolved societal problems.
02Over time, the media coverage maintained a narrative that linked past issues to contemporary challenges, suggesting a lack of progress.
03The framing of the event contributed to a collective memory that emphasized the enduring nature of the underlying causes and consequences of the riots.

Application

Design takeaway

Be mindful of how your design project might frame or be perceived in relation to historical events, as this framing will shape how users understand and remember its significance.

How to apply

When designing for a context with a significant historical event, research how that event has been historically framed in public discourse and media. Consider how your design can acknowledge or engage with these established narratives.

Project actions

01When researching a historical context for your design project, look at how different media sources have covered it over time.
02Consider how your design's messaging might contribute to or challenge existing narratives about a historical event.

Method & Evidence

AimHow does the framing of a historical event in newspaper coverage evolve over time, and how does this evolution impact the collective memory of that event within a community?

MethodNarrative analysis

ProcedureThe study analyzed newspaper coverage of the 1967 Milwaukee race riots across three metropolitan newspapers, examining reporting from the time of the event and on subsequent anniversaries (10, 20, 25, 30, and 40 years). A narrative analysis framework was used to identify and interpret the frames employed in the reporting.

ContextMedia studies, historical event coverage, community memory

Variables

IVTime elapsed since the event, newspaper coverage (framing)

DVCollective memory of the event

CVThe specific historical event (1967 Milwaukee race riots), the community

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Longitudinal analysis of media coverage provides insight into the evolution of memory.
+Focus on framing offers a nuanced understanding of media's role.

Limitations

The specific newspapers and event studied might not be representative of all historical framing. The subjective nature of narrative analysis can introduce bias.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced by having multiple researchers independently code the newspaper frames. Validity is supported by the use of a recognized narrative analysis framework.

Think critically

To what extent can a design project actively 'reframe' a historical event in the public consciousness, and what ethical considerations are involved?

Design Principles

"Historical narratives embedded in media significantly shape collective memory and perception."

Understanding how media frames historical events is crucial for designers and researchers aiming to create products or experiences that resonate with cultural memory or address historical contexts. It highlights the power of narrative in shaping perception and can inform how design projects engage with sensitive or significant past occurrences.

What This Means for Your Design

How newspapers talk about a historical event over many years changes how people remember it and think about its impact today.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify your approach to incorporating historical context into your design project, explaining how media framing influences user understanding.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research highlights that the framing of historical events in media significantly shapes collective memory. For instance, the persistent framing of the 1967 Milwaukee race riots as indicative of ongoing societal problems influenced how the community remembered and understood the event's lasting impact. This underscores the importance of considering how design projects engage with and potentially reinforce or challenge established historical narratives.

Source

Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Mediated memory: framing and sustaining collective memory of the 1967 Milwaukee race riots in contemporary and retrospective newspaper coverage

journal · 2019

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about framing of historical events shapes enduring collective memory?: Be mindful of how your design project might frame or be perceived in relation to historical events, as this framing will shape how users understand and remember its significance. Evidence: Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (2019).
Why does "Framing of historical events shapes enduring collective memory" matter for design?: Understanding how media frames historical events is crucial for designers and researchers aiming to create products or experiences that resonate with cultural memory or address historical contexts. It highlights the power of narrative in shaping perception and can inform how design projects engage with sensitive or significant past occurrences.
How can designers apply this research?: Be mindful of how your design project might frame or be perceived in relation to historical events, as this framing will shape how users understand and remember its significance.
What were the main findings?: Newspapers consistently framed the 1967 Milwaukee race riots as a reflection of persistent, unresolved societal problems.. Over time, the media coverage maintained a narrative that linked past issues to contemporary challenges, suggesting a lack of progress.. The framing of the event contributed to a collective memory that emphasized the enduring nature of the underlying causes and consequences of the riots.
What research method was used?: Narrative analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Carolina Digital Repository (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing for a context with a significant historical event, research how that event has been historically framed in public discourse and media. Consider how your design can acknowledge or engage with these established narratives.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific event and a limited set of newspapers, potentially limiting generalizability to other events or media types. The analysis relied on interpretation of narrative frames.