digital art history: from practice to publication

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