The Sightlines Atlas Website

The Sightlines Atlas website (The Atlas) was developed as a complementary experience to the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s exhibit, “Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond.” It highlights the stories of a multitude of Asian Americans–past and present–who have shaped Washington, D.C. These individuals have all made contributions to the cultural and built environment of our nation’s capital, and visitors to the website are able to absorb these stories in a variety of formats.
The Atlas features 9 stories that fall into 4 different content categories: articles, photo essays, multi-story pages, and theater mode pages. Each category type has a unique page layout, created to suit that content. The design of the website calls back to the physical exhibit space, using the concept of “anchor points” developed by the exhibit design team alongside, exciting animations and transitions that keep the website engaging, and a map motif which roots the website in Washington D.C.
The stories on the site range from families’ oral histories that share their journeys to Washington D.C., to the tradition of martial arts and lion dance, to the art of internationally acclaimed Dana Tai Soon Burgess. They examine how traditions can shape individual identities, and how, in turn, individuals can shape these traditions and influence the community in which they live. The people in these stories use art, activism, cuisine, music, and more to alter the city around them and create meaningful spaces for Asian Americans.
Built with accessibility in mind, the website follows Level A compliance, ensuring that text alternatives are available for non-text content and that all functionality is accessible via a keyboard. The site can be viewed on a variety of screen sizes, so individuals can explore the website in their home or reference it while they’re traveling through the city with their mobile devices.
The Atlas will live on once the physical exhibit has closed and continue to be a resource for D.C. residents. As new stories emerge, they will be added to the site, creating a long lasting reliable source for information on the city & people’s past, present, and future.