Horizonlines.org is a general-interest online magazine produced by students enrolled in the capstone journalism course at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), led by Professor Regene Radniecki. Each year, students from diverse academic backgrounds are invited to collaborate on a themed online “magazine” that tells personal and cultural stories tied to the Fargo-Moorhead community.
For Volume 7, titled “Collective Histories – Images and Stories Reflecting a Region’s Past,” I was asked to lead the Design and Multimedia Team, overseeing the creation of the site’s visual and interactive experience.
My core responsibility was to design and develop the Flash-based website that housed all stories, videos, and media components for the edition. As team lead, I coordinated across multiple teams, working with photographers, videographers, and writers to bring each feature to life through slideshows, videos, and visual storytelling.
The foundational design idea was to shape the experience around a book motif, reinforcing the theme of “collected memories.” We wanted the site to feel like flipping through a journal of personal stories. While page-turning interfaces were rare at the time, I sourced and reworked an open-source flipbook engine to suit our needs. I redesigned and rewrote most of the codebase and paired it with a custom-built navigation system using a bookmark-style UI to help users jump between chapters quickly and intuitively.
The “pages” of the digital book were created in Photoshop, blending image textures and layouts to simulate a tactile reading experience. For the staff section, we even composited real photos together to create a visual mosaic of the team.
The video section of the site was developed with a slightly different visual approach. After testing the idea of embedding the videos directly into the flipbook, we pivoted to a more modern, minimalist layout that allowed videos to fade in and out for smoother playback and usability. I also composed the original music for both videos featured in the issue, adding a personal touch to the sound design.
The video production group recorded and edited both of these videos for the magazine. I was asked to compose the music for them. I also wanted to introduce a new feature for the magazine, and that was to get the videos onto the iTunes music store.
- production year: 2008
- Location: Moorhead, MN
- video software: Final Cut Pro
- audio software: Protools & Garageband
For the Staff Video, the video production group had a clear idea of what type of song they wanted, something similar to the theme from "Doogie Howser". I spent a few days tinkering with several different variations before settling on the piano theme with an electronic ensemble, adding woodwinds and synths.
The video is comprised of footage of most of the Horizonlines 2008 staff. The music was recorded before the video was completed and later edited to fit the timeline.
- production year: 2008
- Location: Merricourt, ND
- video software: Final Cut Pro
- audio software: Protools
At the time I began writing the song, only the beginning minute or so of the video was edited together. To keep with the video and magazine's overall message and theme, I felt that a slower more melancholy piece would be appropriate. The piece consisted of several different electronic instruments using MIDI, along with live recordings of a Native American wooden flute.
The video is a collection of image still and archival footage of Merricourt, ND. A town now considered a "Ghost Town" for its lack of residents.
The completed edition was awarded a Student Production Award in Advanced Media by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences – Upper Midwest Chapter. This honor recognized our innovation in digital storytelling, our interdisciplinary collaboration, and the project's strong visual and editorial cohesion.
Faculty and fellow students praised Volume 7 for its polished execution and immersive interface. The magazine was seen as a standout example of what the Horizonlines project could be, both technically and thematically.
As Multimedia Producer, I led the design and execution of Horizonslines.org’s seventh edition, shaping its interactive experience, visual identity, and digital impact. The project was honored with a Student Production Award by the Upper Midwest Chapter of NATAS, in recognition of excellence in Advanced Media Student Production, a category celebrating innovation in student-led media.
• Team Leadership
Directed a cross-functional team across multiple departments, ensuring timely delivery of assets and cohesive visual strategy.
• Interactive Web Design
Designed and developed a Flash-based flipbook UI from an open-source base, including navigation, transitions, and layout work in Photoshop.
• Multimedia Integration
Oversaw the inclusion of slideshows and video, working directly with photographers and editors to ensure cohesive presentation.
• Audio Production
Composed original music tracks for both featured videos, incorporating MIDI instrumentation and dynamic pacing.
• Creative Direction
Shaped the project’s overarching creative theme and visual identity while adapting technical tools to support storytelling goals.