Two Centuries of New York Times Covers Show How Images Infiltrated the News

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Two Centuries of New York Times Covers Show How Images Infiltrated the News

A data artist made a timelapse video showing every cover of the New York Times from 1852 to now.

News stories today are far from text-only. While news organizations are quickly adapting to the constantly changing communication landscape, one that is now tailored to be shareable, fast-paced, and driven by visual media, it wasn't always this way. In a new short timelapse video, data artist and app developer Josh Begley shows how the image has gradually infiltrated the front cover of The New York Times. Set on a nine-by-five thumbnail grid, Begley's 55-second video screens through every cover of the Old Grey Lady from its first publication in 1852 until now. The video's fast-paced format creates a striking tangible representation of this pervasive shift in news production as well as modern day consumer culture.

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On his 'Brain Rules' website, developmental molecular biologist John Medina writes, "We are incredible at remembering pictures. Hear a piece of information, and three days later you'll remember 10% of it. Add a picture and you'll remember 65%." In another article for the Huffington Post discussing the future of news, Communications Week writes, "63% of humans are kinesthetic learners. That means only the remaining 37 percent prefer reading text vs. engaging with assets to learn. And yet most corporate news stories are still text-only. Communicators must adapt if they want to be successful." The Times they are a changin'. See for yourself in the video below:

Check out more work by Josh Begley on his website.

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