Interaction FLYP style
FLYP More Than a Magazine is a publication dedicated to create a single seamless communication story. The creators have tapped into text, audio, pictures, video, and animation to create their stories. FLYP differs from other online publications because of the high level of interaction the site offers to its viewers.
Gapers Block is an example of a more traditional online publication. The creators of Gapers Block obviously wanted a site with a continuous open dialogue and a rolling deadline; whereas, the FLYP creators produce a new publication every two weeks. The two sites cannot be compared point by point because they are not meant to fill the same needs.
FLYP follows more closely the 10 Laws of Interactive Storytelling as described by Mike Reilley. The publication may not offer more news content, but it offers more choices for the reader. A viewer can decide how in-depth he or she would like to go into a story by selecting more on each page. Also, each story has imbedded videos to further elaborate on a point.
The next step of the Interactive Laws FLYP follows well is leveraging their digital assets. The publication uses space thoughtfully. Not only can a viewer read a story, but there are: videos, pictures, audio clips, animation clips, RSS feeds, podcasts, newsletters, blogs, message boards, and links.
Similarly, the reader is involved with the publication. The message boards and blogs increase the authenticity of the site, and encourage interaction between reader and creator. More importantly, the interaction between viewer and provider is done responsibly, unlike NBC5’s opinion polls.
Alan Stoga, FLYP publisher, and his team have also devised a way for their publication to reach the masses in a multitude of ways. FLYP content is accessible through e-mail, the website, RSS feeds, iTunes, and mobile devices.
In a world of infinite, sometimes confusing choices, FLYP has created a format which enables reader interaction with content. But more importantly readers can customize the content he or she would like to receive.
