Hi:Stories - Next door
Hi:Stories - Next door
Hi:Stories - Next door
New approaches for young people to the culture of remembrance of the Nazi era
New approaches for young people to the culture of remembrance of the Nazi era
New approaches for young people to the culture of remembrance of the Nazi era
How can the Nazi era be communicated to young people aged 14 to 19 in an accessible and sustainable way?
The master's thesis 'Hi:Stories' examines creative and didactic strategies for the development of a contemporary culture of remembrance in German-speaking countries. The focus is on examining the extent to which digital and hybrid formats can be used to address young people in their everyday lives, raise their historical awareness and strengthen democratic values. The central element of the work is the conceptualization of a digital application that acts as a didactic tool to help young people better understand the Nazi era through the personal narratives of Nazi victims and their connections to each other. In addition, the presentation of continuities with current issues illustrates the relevance of remembrance. The combination of theoretical foundation and practical implementation enables a contribution to the further development of the culture of remembrance in a digital age.
How can the Nazi era be communicated to young people aged 14 to 19 in an accessible and sustainable way?
The master's thesis 'Hi:Stories' examines creative and didactic strategies for the development of a contemporary culture of remembrance in German-speaking countries. The focus is on examining the extent to which digital and hybrid formats can be used to address young people in their everyday lives, raise their historical awareness and strengthen democratic values. The central element of the work is the conceptualization of a digital application that acts as a didactic tool to help young people better understand the Nazi era through the personal narratives of Nazi victims and their connections to each other. In addition, the presentation of continuities with current issues illustrates the relevance of remembrance. The combination of theoretical foundation and practical implementation enables a contribution to the further development of the culture of remembrance in a digital age.
How can the Nazi era be communicated to young people aged 14 to 19 in an accessible and sustainable way?
The master's thesis 'Hi:Stories' examines creative and didactic strategies for the development of a contemporary culture of remembrance in German-speaking countries. The focus is on examining the extent to which digital and hybrid formats can be used to address young people in their everyday lives, raise their historical awareness and strengthen democratic values. The central element of the work is the conceptualization of a digital application that acts as a didactic tool to help young people better understand the Nazi era through the personal narratives of Nazi victims and their connections to each other. In addition, the presentation of continuities with current issues illustrates the relevance of remembrance. The combination of theoretical foundation and practical implementation enables a contribution to the further development of the culture of remembrance in a digital age.
Approach
Approach
Approach
The work analyzes the challenges and potential of digital history education in the context of historical-political educational work against the background of the increasing time gap to the Nazi era and the gradual demise of contemporary witnesses. The methodology includes on-site visits, a comparative content analysis of existing remembrance projects, expert interviews and a survey of young people. As part of the project, a digital format was designed as an application example that deals with a contemporary approach to the topic of remembrance culture for young people between the ages of 14 and 19.
The work analyzes the challenges and potential of digital history education in the context of historical-political educational work against the background of the increasing time gap to the Nazi era and the gradual demise of contemporary witnesses. The methodology includes on-site visits, a comparative content analysis of existing remembrance projects, expert interviews and a survey of young people. As part of the project, a digital format was designed as an application example that deals with a contemporary approach to the topic of remembrance culture for young people between the ages of 14 and 19.
The work analyzes the challenges and potential of digital history education in the context of historical-political educational work against the background of the increasing time gap to the Nazi era and the gradual demise of contemporary witnesses. The methodology includes on-site visits, a comparative content analysis of existing remembrance projects, expert interviews and a survey of young people. As part of the project, a digital format was designed as an application example that deals with a contemporary approach to the topic of remembrance culture for young people between the ages of 14 and 19.
Strategy
Strategy
Strategy
The project relies on digital strategies to make the history of National Socialism accessible to a young target group. Central to this is an interactive application that conveys historical content in an emotional and participatory way, thus enabling a new, accessible form of history education. The combination of contemporary media formats, interactive elements and personalized functions creates sustainable access to the culture of remembrance of National Socialism for young people.
The project relies on digital strategies to make the history of National Socialism accessible to a young target group. Central to this is an interactive application that conveys historical content in an emotional and participatory way, thus enabling a new, accessible form of history education. The combination of contemporary media formats, interactive elements and personalized functions creates sustainable access to the culture of remembrance of National Socialism for young people.
The project relies on digital strategies to make the history of National Socialism accessible to a young target group. Central to this is an interactive application that conveys historical content in an emotional and participatory way, thus enabling a new, accessible form of history education. The combination of contemporary media formats, interactive elements and personalized functions creates sustainable access to the culture of remembrance of National Socialism for young people.
Hi:Stories
Hi:Stories
Hi:Stories
The application presents itself as a medium that invites users to engage with the stories behind the victims of National Socialism and the connections between them. The mobile app and the accompanying website enable the local recording of individual fates and historical sites from the Nazi era and deliberately rely on the principle of serendipity, the phenomenon of discovering something significant without having consciously searched for it. It is also possible to follow the connections regardless of location and across cities. An interactive map shows historical and modern city layouts in order to visualize changes and trace the connections of the people involved.
The stories are narrated using short videos tailored to the target group. The website uses a scroll-based 3D effect, while the app relies on a familiar story format. Historical photographs are supplemented by illustrations in a graphic story style or placed in the respective historical context of the person at the time. The stories are specifically linked to current topics that concern young people today in order to create low-threshold access.
The application presents itself as a medium that invites users to engage with the stories behind the victims of National Socialism and the connections between them. The mobile app and the accompanying website enable the local recording of individual fates and historical sites from the Nazi era and deliberately rely on the principle of serendipity, the phenomenon of discovering something significant without having consciously searched for it. It is also possible to follow the connections regardless of location and across cities. An interactive map shows historical and modern city layouts in order to visualize changes and trace the connections of the people involved.
The stories are narrated using short videos tailored to the target group. The website uses a scroll-based 3D effect, while the app relies on a familiar story format. Historical photographs are supplemented by illustrations in a graphic story style or placed in the respective historical context of the person at the time. The stories are specifically linked to current topics that concern young people today in order to create low-threshold access.
The application presents itself as a medium that invites users to engage with the stories behind the victims of National Socialism and the connections between them. The mobile app and the accompanying website enable the local recording of individual fates and historical sites from the Nazi era and deliberately rely on the principle of serendipity, the phenomenon of discovering something significant without having consciously searched for it. It is also possible to follow the connections regardless of location and across cities. An interactive map shows historical and modern city layouts in order to visualize changes and trace the connections of the people involved.
The stories are narrated using short videos tailored to the target group. The website uses a scroll-based 3D effect, while the app relies on a familiar story format. Historical photographs are supplemented by illustrations in a graphic story style or placed in the respective historical context of the person at the time. The stories are specifically linked to current topics that concern young people today in order to create low-threshold access.
Hi:Stories
Hi:Stories
The 'memory box' is the personal area of the application where users can save their discoveries and progress. People, places and topics can be saved in this area so that they can continue at the relevant point at a later date. For fully explored stories, mementos are provided in the form of items that can be associated with the corresponding story. Memorabilia in unfinished stories remain grayed out to encourage users to continue exploring. Another central element is the integrated 'Archiv Lab', which was developed in cooperation with the Arolsen Archives.
In addition, users can submit new information about people and places, which will be checked by the Arolsen Archives according to the two-source principle and integrated into the existing network. In this way, a collaborative archive is created that continuously uncovers new connections and expands historical knowledge. With this combination of interactive formats, participatory elements and scientifically based content, 'Hi:Stories' enables a modern approach to the culture of Nazi remembrance - an approach that makes the past tangible and at the same time encourages critical thinking about the present and future.
The 'memory box' is the personal area of the application where users can save their discoveries and progress. People, places and topics can be saved in this area so that they can continue at the relevant point at a later date. For fully explored stories, mementos are provided in the form of items that can be associated with the corresponding story. Memorabilia in unfinished stories remain grayed out to encourage users to continue exploring. Another central element is the integrated 'Archiv Lab', which was developed in cooperation with the Arolsen Archives.
In addition, users can submit new information about people and places, which will be checked by the Arolsen Archives according to the two-source principle and integrated into the existing network. In this way, a collaborative archive is created that continuously uncovers new connections and expands historical knowledge. With this combination of interactive formats, participatory elements and scientifically based content, 'Hi:Stories' enables a modern approach to the culture of Nazi remembrance - an approach that makes the past tangible and at the same time encourages critical thinking about the present and future.
The 'memory box' is the personal area of the application where users can save their discoveries and progress. People, places and topics can be saved in this area so that they can continue at the relevant point at a later date. For fully explored stories, mementos are provided in the form of items that can be associated with the corresponding story. Memorabilia in unfinished stories remain grayed out to encourage users to continue exploring. Another central element is the integrated 'Archiv Lab', which was developed in cooperation with the Arolsen Archives.
In addition, users can submit new information about people and places, which will be checked by the Arolsen Archives according to the two-source principle and integrated into the existing network. In this way, a collaborative archive is created that continuously uncovers new connections and expands historical knowledge. With this combination of interactive formats, participatory elements and scientifically based content, 'Hi:Stories' enables a modern approach to the culture of Nazi remembrance - an approach that makes the past tangible and at the same time encourages critical thinking about the present and future.
Communication strategy
Communication strategy
Communication strategy
The strategy is based on a targeted social media campaign to reach the target group in the social media where they are active on a daily basis. A strong and reputable brand presence on social media serves to arouse curiosity and, by linking the story to current topics or exciting details, to draw interest to the fact that there are new perspectives to discover.
Instagram Carousel Ads link well-known personalities from the Nazi era with current topics and thus enable low-threshold access. TikTok and Instagram reels use short videos with dynamic voiceovers to link historical topics with current issues and arouse users' curiosity.
The strategy is based on a targeted social media campaign to reach the target group in the social media where they are active on a daily basis. A strong and reputable brand presence on social media serves to arouse curiosity and, by linking the story to current topics or exciting details, to draw interest to the fact that there are new perspectives to discover.
Instagram Carousel Ads link well-known personalities from the Nazi era with current topics and thus enable low-threshold access. TikTok and Instagram reels use short videos with dynamic voiceovers to link historical topics with current issues and arouse users' curiosity.
The strategy is based on a targeted social media campaign to reach the target group in the social media where they are active on a daily basis. A strong and reputable brand presence on social media serves to arouse curiosity and, by linking the story to current topics or exciting details, to draw interest to the fact that there are new perspectives to discover.
Instagram Carousel Ads link well-known personalities from the Nazi era with current topics and thus enable low-threshold access. TikTok and Instagram reels use short videos with dynamic voiceovers to link historical topics with current issues and arouse users' curiosity.
German Design Graduates
German Design Graduates
German Design Graduates
As part of German Design Graduates 2025, Hi:Stories will be exhibited as part of the exhibition 'DARE TO DESIGN - SPACES OF CARE' at the Museum of Applied Arts Cologne (MAKK).
Further information is available at: Hi:Stories – Next door
As part of German Design Graduates 2025, Hi:Stories will be exhibited as part of the exhibition 'DARE TO DESIGN - SPACES OF CARE' at the Museum of Applied Arts Cologne (MAKK).
Further information is available at: Hi:Stories – Next door
As part of German Design Graduates 2025, Hi:Stories will be exhibited as part of the exhibition 'DARE TO DESIGN - SPACES OF CARE' at the Museum of Applied Arts Cologne (MAKK).
Further information is available at: Hi:Stories – Next door
Project information
Project information
Project information
Year: 2025
Year: 2025
Year: 2025
Duration: six months
Duration: six months
Duration: six months
Client: HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
Client: HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
Client: HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
Course: Master’s thesis
Course: Master’s thesis
Course: Master’s thesis
Partner: Sarah Müller, Marc Schade
Partner: Sarah Müller, Marc Schade
Partner: Sarah Müller, Marc Schade
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© Adrian Jans 2025 | Imprint | Privacy Policy
© Adrian Jans 2025