Steven T. King

Visual Interactive Technologies

Steven King — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:38:29 +0000

A vital aspect of the innovations team is that we create reusable and scalable technology. This year we created several visual technologies that have expanded from single projects to being used across washingtonpost.com.

OnmiPlayer is a video player that is resolution independent and includes a full JavaScript API making it robust and customizable. It is not being used as the primary video player for the entire site. The team also built full Video CMS that archives and publishes each video.

Post Alert is a site-wide notification system that will deliver breaking news and special projects to Washington Post users. These targeted messages, selected by our editors, will inform you of the latest live videos, online discussions, breaking news and other special features. This JavaScript technology has provided a significant jump in traffic since adoption.

WebCom is a way of visually displaying conversations. It is a threaded and user-moderated comment system that provides a visual representation of the most valuable comments and conversations among users. The comments are cataloged in a database and displayed via Flash. The most liked comments become larger and conversations (replies) gravitate to the center. Users who like a more structured view can switch modes to see them in a list. You can find it on the Scene In page and other features across the site.

Inauguration Interactive

Steven King — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 03:01:17 +0000

Before sunrise on a cold, historic day, I deployed 50 photographers and videographers with GPS equipment and mobile transmitting devices to cover the inauguration of Barack Obama in real-time from points across the city. The Washington Post audience was able to experience the events of the day through a new mapping and timeline technology called TimeSpace. This endeavor not only provided an interactive feature to the users but also created an unforeseen revenue stream for The Washington Post through a Sprint sponsorship and licensing of the technology by other organizations.
Launch TimeSpace: Inauguration

In addition to TimeSpace, I also worked with the Microsoft Labs team to use experimental Deep Zoom technology to deliver a photo mosaic comprised of hundreds of photos from the event and a satellite image of the crowds on the National Mall.
Launch Obama Mosaic
Launch Satellite Image

2007-2008 Multimedia Projects

Steven King — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:59:22 +0000

TimeSpace

TimeSpace is a map and timeline interface that allows users to navigate through thousands of photos, videos, articles and blog posts from around the world. The project was built in two months by the Web Ninjas, a three-man team focused on rapid innovations for washingtonpost.com.
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Herald-Leader Kentucky Derby Multimedia Site

Working with the Lexington Herald-Leader, I created and produced an award-winning multimedia Web site documenting the Kentucky Derby and shot the first 360-degree panorama of the race. The NTRA honored the site with the Eclipse Award for media coverage.
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CommissionStories Online Magazine

CommissionStories.com blends text, sounds and images into a new multimedia magazine. I led the IMB from initial concept to launch and helped manage four contractors to create this dynamic multimedia Web site. Note: The current story template has changed from my original design.
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IWCStories Live Media Blog

IWCStories.com provided IMB audiences with real-time updates, photos, videos, panoramas and live broadcasts from Ambato, Ecuador, and Athens, Greece.
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Other Projects:

Video: Flooding in Bangladesh

Steven King — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:49:05 +0000

Volunteers from South Carolina traveled to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to provide food and medical supplies to 2,000 families who lost their homes to the 2007 flooding. Through many days of hard work and prayer, the team struggled to provide aid but thrived at sharing hope in Christ Jesus.

NOTE: NPPA awarded this video 2nd in Web news video in 2008.

Photography Singles

Steven King — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:21:14 +0000

Collection of favorite images from various assignments around the world.

Photo Essay: North Korea

Steven King — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:15:08 +0000

A Portrait of North Korea

During a three-day journey into North Korea, King documented life in the closed country.

Photo Story: Outer Country Doctor

Steven King — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:39:08 +0000

Dr. Buck Rusher serves without pay in Mongolia as a surgeon, teaching doctors about medical care and life. His wife Pam works with Mongolian women and a hospice center to share the love they have received.