TASS always has many online projects, they are all different and interesting. Where do you get your ideas?

We have three types of special projects:

—Scheduled topics tied to major anniversaries and jubilees. For example, “Generation D” projects (the anniversary of the Decembrist uprising) or “Dante’s Circles” (the author’s anniversary). We know about these topics well in advance, so authors have the opportunity to dive deep into the theme, find compelling experts, and do a visual research.

—Themes from the outside. Often people come to us with a proposal to do a project to highlight a particular area or issue. This was the case, for example, with the project “From Change of Place”, created jointly with the UN Refugee Agency, or with the project “Budget Approval Stage”, in which we laid out a rather complicated process of approving documents under the supervision of experts from the Accounts Chamber.

—Impromptu. A project about Russian dinosaurs “The Extinct” or a podcast performance after Dostoevsky’s works “The City of Sinners”. At some point, we realize there’s a cool unexploited idea —and we just take it on. But there are far fewer such projects than scheduled or partner projects.

Do you use any resources?

Previously we used ReadyMag longreads builder (they are good guys) , but in light of recent events, we switched to our own development exclusively. It’s more reliable. And longer (which is why the process of project production is now much lengthier).

 

How to implement and elaborate these ideas? Share your secrets.

Find not only the theme, but also the idea. Not just “Oh, the Decembrists”, but “Let’s see whether these guys were really on the same page or were they just born and raised at the same time?” (answer: the latter). Not just “Hmm, Dante certainly has gorgeous descriptions of hell”, but “There are quite a few characters in the Divine Comedy —who are all these people? Did Dante make them all up?”

When you’ve found an angle, it’s easier for you to build a narrative and composition of future material. Put together a moodboard—try to get a feel for the mood and atmosphere of the project. Be sure to make a plan for your future project. Write timings for each team member, don’t be afraid to adjust them right in the process (I don’t know any multimedia team whose plan and schedule have never changed since the first meeting on the task).

Make a “storyboard” —you can try to assemble a simple prototype of the project in Figma (available for now), it will allow you to estimate the length and visual rhythm of the future material. Be realistic in your assessment of resources, both people and time. Love your team. Do not be a perfectionist. Healthy realism is much more effective. And you will succeed.

 

What shouldn’t a beginner be afraid of during the startup period of a digital project?

Being laconic. Better a good compact project than an exhausting huge one. And you don’t have to be afraid to choose an unoriginal theme. The world talks about the same thing all along —but some do it better. Your task is to do it in a cool, clear, unusual way (if possible), better than others (an ambitious point), and so that you like it yourself.

 

What challenges one should prepare to face?

Multimedia formats are a long-distance run. You have to stay focused for a long time and keep the pace. Therefore, this area is often difficult for people who are used to seeing quick results of their work (for example, within a week). It won’t work that way here, you’ll have to wait.

 

How to assemble a team for a project?

The starter pack is a writing designer and a developer (or a longreads designer and a person who knows how to work with it). Then the number of specialists can be increased to infinity: editor of infographics, illustrator, producer, sound designer —depends on your needs and capabilities.

 

In your opinion, which areas of culture and art in digital format are the most relevant today? Mobile apps, websites, VR technology, or something else? Do you have any favorite directions?

I like interactive guides and AR materials for exhibitions. They create an additional layer of narrative, build a route for the museum or gallery visitor, and partially complement the function of the curator and tour guide. This is cool and convenient, I think that in the future these developments will be improved and scaled up. I like VR, too, but more as a branch of cinema development, gamedev, and educational technology development. And for a very short time. Hanging in a virtual projection for hours is still a bit hard on the brain. But perhaps this will be corrected in the future.

 

What do you think of modern NFT crypto art? Do you believe that it will replace classical art in a few years?

Most likely, it will become one of the directions, but not a replacement. After all, the popularity of art objects is determined by the power of the message and implementation. If the author has done his job well, it doesn’t really matter what the viewer is looking at: a code combination or a canvas in a museum. I’m for variety.

But it will definitely affect the culture of consumption. The less effort it takes to move around in physical space to get an impression, the lazier some of the users become. Not all of them, of course.

 

In your opinion, where today’s young professionals can find inspiration and education in the field of culture and art? What do you recommend visiting (e.g., exhibitions, museums, forums)?

Books and lectures (for ideas and philosophies).

Documentaries (to expand your erudition).

Ethnographic museums (a very cool source of inspiration in terms of authentic forms and materials).

Art spaces and exhibitions (for impressions and techniques).

Private galleries (to understand commercial trends in art).

Artists’ social media (for orientation, inspiration, tips and tricks).

Biennale/Triennale of Art (to understand the current trends of thinking and creating).

Big music and cultural festivals (for a sense of togetherness).

Professional forums, competitions and conferences (for networking).

 

If you had all the resources and capabilities to create the digital project of the future, what would you create? What for and why?

I would model an exhibition dedicated to the people of the twenty-first century. But as if we were looking at ourselves from the future, 500–600 years from now. It’s interesting to imagine what useful/exciting, perhaps strange and not entirely understandable things will be left of us for generations to come.