Stories behind a line - Design for migration

The Stories Behind a Line is a visual narrative of six asylum seekers’ routes from their hometowns to Italy.

«The Stories Behind a Line» wants to tell the six personal stories and journeys through the data that shaped the different traveling lines, so as to provide a rationalized – yet extremely personal – point of view from which to reflect on such a complex and current topic.

Stories behind the line Federica Fragapane design for migration — Federica Fragapane met M.B., S.S., M.D., A.L., S.W.G. and T.K., the six people whoshared their journeys with her, in 2016. During the meetings they talked about their routes from their homeland to the reception center, pointing out cities and places they passed through on a map. For each place Fragapane asked them how long it look them to reach it, what transportations they used, and how many days they spentthere, as well as any other comments or memories they would like to share.

They talked about their exhausting journeys, and their painful memories, and she collected every piece of information. Once Federica Fragapane collected the stories, she designed the visual models to show them, and – in a second phase – she contacted Alex with the aim of creating an interactive storytelling piece. The starting points were the six traveling lines: the aim was to create six visuals, shaped by the different personal memories. The people are represented by their own unique line, from their hometown to Italy.

The represented data are simple and part of everyone’s everyday life – so as to allow an easy comprehension of the journeys’ narratives – but powerful in depicting the struggles of these experiences. Over the visual there are a number of clickable red dots, which allow the user to explore some more qualitative data: additional comments and memories that the six people wanted to add to their narrative. Each of these dots enriches the project, providing a unique window into each story.

«The Stories Behind a Line» was awarded with Honourable Mention at Kantar Information is Beautiful 2017 and it was selected and presented at Open Days dell’Innovazione 2017 in Milan.

Among the publications, the project has ben featured on Il Sole 24 Ore — Info Data, Data Driven Journalism, and FlowingData.

Federica Fragapane is an award winning Visual and Information Designer.She collaborates with Il Corriere della Sera, designing data visualizations for the cultural supplement La Lettura.Among her projects, she designed visualizations for the United Nations Environment Programme, Wired and Forbes. She is coauthor, designer and illustrator of "PianetaTerra", published by National Geographic Kids and White Star Kids.

Alex Piacentini is an Italian UI and information designer working with graphics and code. His work consists in creating novel digital and crossmedia user experiences for international clients on projects that have strong innovative, research or experimental connotation for the publishing, cultural and educational fields.