5 ways to use Section Options
In January, we launched the Section Options feature, enabling you to change height, scroll effects, tint and more. Now, we take a look at how these are making storytelling extra special
Sometimes the simplest changes or feature introductions can have an outsized impact when it comes to storytelling. That's certainly been the case with our Section Options feature.
Back in January this year, we unveiled the settings cog on the left hand side of sections and gave storytellers the ability to alter height, scroll positioning, overlay, as well as light and dark theme options.
From listicles to amazing x-ray vision, Shorthanders are really embracing the enhancements afforded by Section Options to pack a punch in their stories. There's nothing better than seeing a new feature come to life in the wild and to serve as inspiration to others on how to use them. So, we thought it's time we highlighted some of those great examples...
1) Title tricks
Section Options mean that you can change the height of Title and Text Over Media sections from the default full viewport height, to half (like the above!) or third height. On top of this you can, when using images, set the scroll position so it moves or so it's fixed.
The Base, by Stuff NZ uses a half height Title section. Using this reduced height section with the header means that Stuff have been able to use a banner image, take advantage of white space and feature their stylised credits.
Similarly, The West Australian's Rich List does the same, but with video.
For more Title Tricks, don't forget to check out our story template called 'Example Titles', which has ideas on how to put together Title and Text Over Media sections. Simply click on the plus button to create a new story and select that template (fifth one along).
2) Awesome X-ray vision
We've always known that image layering is a winning way of telling stories, whether it's breaking down complex data with a visualization or comparative before and afters.
Now, with Section Options there's a new way to layer images. With three Text Over Media sections, the first and last with a full height section, and a half or third height section in between, it's super easy to create X-ray vision style sections.
Take this story by Mountune, BTCC IS GO. It's a launch story for the 2018 racing season and they've used the Section Options to allow their audience to peek inside the bonnet of a car. Be sure to check out the Title section too!
3) Pull quotes and key information
Text Over Media has always been an effective section to use when pulling out key information, such as stats and pull quotes. With Section Options, it means storytellers can adapt the size of this section to the text.
The Barbican did just that with John Cale: A Futurespective, featuring pull quotes in half height Text Over Media sections in a fixed position.
John Cale: A Futurespective, the Barbican
John Cale: A Futurespective, the Barbican
Channel NewsAsia used a comparative technique with Singapore and Malaysia: The Water Issue report, featuring excerpts in a third height section with a fixed position.
4) Listicles
Listicles - top tips on, 10 of the best, or 5 ways to (ahem) - are often very popular with audiences, breaking down an issue or highlighting key points in an easily digestible way.
Honda recently relaunched their entire Engine Room site with Shorthand and hit upon an effective listicle format using third height Text Over Media sections, followed by full height Text Over Media sections with an overlay.
You can see it here, in The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
5) Wow moments
Our mission is to provide an intuitive tool that makes it easy and enjoyable for teams to create beautiful and engaging stories. We're not into gimmicks or style over substance, but we do love design genius and stories that simply make you go WOW!
And by using Section Options Woodland Trust's second Shorthand story, Street Fighters, is one of those. There's plenty to admire in this story, such as the black and white images that help you journey back in time. However, our favourite moment is the peek-a-boo bird.
It's great seeing how the Section Options have been used so far and we're super excited to say that we introduced more options just two weeks ago!
Within the Title and Text Over Media sections you'll see an additional option to add a text fade in or out. You'll also find you can add a text fade into the Background Scrollmation section.
Plus, on the Background Scrollmation you can now add a fast or slow fading transition between the images by selecting the tortoise or the hare. This can be a great way to make the change between contrasting images much smoother. Find out more here.
We can't wait to see the muscle of these new features being flexed too. We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions or feedback about Section Options, or indeed if you've used them in an innovative way you want to share.
Happy storytelling!
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