Surveillance Stories

Making sense of surveillance culture through personal storytelling

Master's Thesis Project | SVA Interaction Design | 2014-2015

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Overview

Surveillance Stories is an interactive web platform that transforms abstract surveillance policy into tangible human experiences. Created in response to Edward Snowden's NSA revelations, the project addresses the disconnect between surveillance as a policy issue and its real impact on individuals' lives.

The Problem

When Edward Snowden leaked his first NSA documents in 2013, the world learned about the size and reach of US and global surveillance programs. However, after initial alarm, public interest faded because:

• Surveillance is portrayed as abstract - data-centric policy discussions don't resonate emotionally
• Lack of personal connection - people struggle to understand how surveillance affects them directly
• Complexity barrier - the technical and legal aspects are overwhelming
• Unclear implications - citizens don't know what surveillance means today or could mean in the future

The Solution

Surveillance Stories bridges this gap by creating a platform for personal storytelling that:

1. Humanizes surveillance through real experiences
2. Makes abstract concepts tangible through narrative
3. Builds empathy by connecting surveillance to everyday life
4. Empowers understanding of what surveillance means personally

Project Goals

• Transform surveillance from a distant policy issue into relatable human stories
• Help people understand surveillance's impact through lived experiences
• Create a space for dialogue about privacy, security, and civil liberties
• Make surveillance culture accessible to a general audience

Technical Implementation

Built With

• HTML5/CSS3 - Responsive web interface
• JavaScript - Interactive storytelling elements
• Foundation Framework - Responsive grid and components
• Custom interactions - Scroll-based animations and transitions

Project Structure

SurveillanceStories/
├── Foundation/          # Foundation framework files
├── css/                 # Custom stylesheets
├── js/                  # JavaScript interactions
├── story1.html          # Individual story pages
├── story2.html
├── index_*.html         # Various design iterations
└── README.md

Design Iterations

The repository includes multiple design explorations:

• index_dots.html - Dot-based navigation concept
• index_vertical.html - Vertical scrolling narrative
• index_April25.html / index_April28.html - Development milestones
• index_dots_forloop.html - Programmatic dot generation experiments

Features

Interactive Storytelling

• Scroll-based narrative progression
• Visual metaphors for surveillance concepts
• Responsive design for mobile and desktop
• Smooth transitions between story sections

User Experience

• Clean, accessible interface
• Progressive disclosure of information
• Emphasis on readability and comprehension
• Navigation that mirrors the complexity of surveillance

Development Journey

This thesis project explored how interaction design can make complex sociopolitical issues more accessible. The various HTML iterations in the repository document the design evolution from initial concepts to final implementation.

Context & Inspiration

Historical Context:

• June 2013: Edward Snowden leaks classified NSA documents
• Global debate erupts about mass surveillance programs
• Public struggles to understand personal implications
• Media coverage focuses on policy rather than people

Design Approach:

• User research with individuals affected by surveillance
• Iterative prototyping of interaction models
• Testing narrative structures for maximum impact
• Balancing information density with emotional resonance

Setup & Usage

Viewing the Project

1. Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/mkhandekar/SurveillanceStories.git
   cd SurveillanceStories

2. Open in browser

   # Open any HTML file directly, e.g.:
   open story1.html
   # or
   open index_April28.html

3. Run a local server (recommended for full functionality)

   # Python 3
   python -m http.server 8000
   
   # Python 2
   python -m SimpleHTTPServer 8000
   
   # Then visit http://localhost:8000

Exploring Design Iterations

Navigate through the various index_*.html files to see how the project evolved:

1. Start with index_April25.html - early design direction
2. View index_dots.html - exploration of visual metaphors
3. Check index_vertical.html - alternative navigation approach
4. Compare iterations to see decision-making process

Impact & Outcomes

This thesis project demonstrates how:

• Interaction design can make abstract issues tangible
• Personal narratives create empathy and understanding
• Web-based storytelling reaches broad audiences
• Design research informs socially conscious work

Academic Context

Institution: School of Visual Arts (SVA) Program: MFA Interaction Design Year: 2014-2015 Thesis Advisor: [Advisor Name if applicable]

Key Takeaways

1. Storytelling as design tool - Narrative is essential for complex topics
2. Iteration matters - Multiple explorations lead to stronger solutions
3. Context is critical - Understanding historical moment informs design
4. Empathy through design - Interaction can build understanding

Future Directions

While this is an archived thesis project, potential extensions could include:

• Updated stories reflecting current surveillance landscape
• Interactive data visualizations of surveillance statistics
• Community contribution platform for new stories
• Integration with current privacy advocacy organizations
• Mobile-native experience
• Accessibility enhancements (ARIA, screen reader optimization)

Related Work & Resources

• EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) - Digital privacy advocacy
• ACLU - Civil liberties and surveillance oversight
• Snowden Archive - Original leaked documents
• Privacy International - Global privacy rights organization

License

This project is available for educational and non-commercial use. Please credit appropriately if used for teaching or research.

Author

Meghana Khandekar

• Website: mkhandekar.com
• GitHub: @mkhandekar
• Portfolio: Surveillance Stories Project Page

Acknowledgments

Thank you to:

• SVA Interaction Design faculty and cohort
• Interview participants who shared their stories
• Privacy advocates who provided context and expertise
• The design community for feedback throughout the process

Citation

If referencing this work academically:

Khandekar, M. (2015). Surveillance Stories: Making sense of surveillance
culture through personal storytelling [Master's thesis, School of Visual Arts].
GitHub. https://github.com/mkhandekar/SurveillanceStories

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A thesis project exploring how interaction design can make complex sociopolitical issues accessible through personal narrative and thoughtful user experience.

Created: 2014-2015 | Last Updated: 2015 | Status: Archived Academic Project