digital art history: from practice to publication
TRANSCRIPT
Digital Art Historyfrom Practice to Publication
Susan EdwardsAssociate Director, Digital ContentThe Hammer Museum@jolifanta
Apologies
The Scholarly Process
The Scholarly Process
The Scholarly Process
Start here?
The Scholarly Process
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The Scholarly ProcessProduct Development
The Scholarly ProcessProduct Development
?Product Development• Setting goals • Audience• Applying for Grants
• Budget• Timeline• Iterative work • Programming
• Formative ideas• Research questions
• Collecting data• Analysis
• Forming conclusions• Editing
The Scholarly Process
• Testing• Editorial• Design
Working with Technologists?
14 filled out the survey
10 interviewed (2 didn’t fill out survey)
16 responded
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nw4MgcCvbKFnAicq5EoYLCWlWti5ibNSStcFlP0br6k/viewform
• I am a: [check boxes for different skills]
• My role in DH projects has been: [check boxes]
• Here are some projects I have worked on that may be good models for the field:
• I like to work with scholars because:
• Working with scholars is challenging because:
• When scholars approach me about a project, it's helpful to have the following information:
• If I were to give one piece of advice to scholars about working with technologists on DH projects, it would be:
The Survey
• How do you define Digital Humanities?
• Why is Digital Humanities important?
• Tell me about some projects you have worked on.
• How do you typically come to work on these projects? What is your role?
• What do scholars struggle with?
• Do scholars need to understand the technology? Do they need to code?
• Why do you work on these projects?
The Interview
14 filled out the survey
10 interviewed (2 didn’t fill out survey)
16 total
The Response
3 art historians
10 have worked on art history projects
16 total
The Response
6 technologists
7 work in or have worked for museums
4 work in museums
16 total
The Response
8 affiliated with a university
3 are freelance
The Response
4 work in museums
8 affiliated with a university(at least 4 work in DH center)3 are freelance
16 total
Results >>
• 3 common themes• 10 pieces of advice
3 common themes >>
Audience Collaboration Project Management
Audience
“Scholarship for other scholars…is that what it is? Are we missing a big opportunity [to reach a wider audience]?”
Audience
Who is it for?• Be honest • Is it other scholars? • Is it students? General public?
Audience
Why are you doing it? • Share the data to demonstrate validity of
your scholarship.• Provide data and materials to larger
community for use.• Reach a wider public.• Instruction/pedagogy
Audience
Testing with your users• Ensures you achieve your goals• Be open to failure and changing tactics• Adds to timeline but helps ensure a successful
product
Collaboration
“Scholars struggle with understanding what is possible…they have a hard time determining what may be a simple solution from a difficult one.”
Collaboration
Bring Technologists in as early as possible• Formative phase – it starts with
conversations• Technologists can help with ‘goals triage’• Include them in grant application
Collaboration
Technologists are experts too!• Let technologist suggest the solution –
you don’t know what you don’t know• Be open to suggestions, and new
solutions to meet your goals.• Don’t drop the project on a technologist
and walk away
Collaboration
http://xkcd.com/1425/
CollaborationThink TEAM - understand various roles required• You probably can’t do it all• Be self-aware of your own skills, and the
role you will play• Be realistic about timelines• Find your community
Project Management
“Scholars struggle with planning and time….they underestimate complexity, time, and resources.”
Project Management
Project manager’s role is to “live in the future”• Anticipate problems• Thinks about longevity of project• Watches time and dependencies, enforces
deadlines• Gets everyone on the same page
Project Management
Guides the process, provides structure• Facilitates collaboration and
conversations• Translates between technologists and
content experts• Can help you design the minimal viable
product, and plan for staged releases of new features
Project Management
Keeps energy up when initial excitement wanes
3 common themes >>
Audience Collaboration Project Management
10 Pieces of Advice
1. Bring in a technology collaborator as early as possible.
10 Pieces of Advice
2. Focus on the goals of the project.
10 Pieces of Advice
3. Learn about project management; have a project manager.
10 Pieces of Advice
4. Learn the language—understand basic concepts of computer programming, web technology, databases, etc.
10 Pieces of Advice
5. Be self-aware of your own skills.
10 Pieces of Advice
6. Check your ego at the door.
10 Pieces of Advice
7. Pay attention to timelines.
10 Pieces of Advice
8. Get commitment from the top.
10 Pieces of Advice
9. Start small—better to have one small thing accomplished.
10 Pieces of Advice
10. Find a community, create a network.
10 Pieces of Advice
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Product Development
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Product Development
Start here
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Product Development
Start here
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Product Development
Start here
Project Manager
Thank You
Tina Shah, Art Institute of ChicagoBen Brumfield, independent software developerPaul Marty, Florida State UniversityA. L. McMichael, The Graduate Center, CUNYJavier de la Rosa, University of Western OntarioHeather Marie Wells, Crystal Bridges MuseumBeth Harris, Khan Academy and SmarthistoryMike Toth, independent technology consultantSteph Grimes, J. Paul Getty TrustWayne Graham, University of Virginia