Become aDigital Memorialist

As a Digital Memorialist and Archivist, you play a crucial role in preserving the stories and secrets of history. It’s more than a job; it’s a calling to protect and celebrate our heritage. You can be a hero of history, ensuring that future generations know their past, with the added thrill of using emerging technology to do it.

• Create meaningful digital tributes for loved ones.
• Combine creativity with advanced digital skills.
• Help preserve memories for future generations.
• Innovate in the growing field of digital heritage.

As a Digital Memorialist and Archivist, you collect, manage, and preserve documents and other materials that hold historical, legal, or cultural significance. This often involves digitising physical records, creating databases, and helping people access and understand this information. You also work on special projects like digital exhibits or public archives that help educate and inform the public.

Digital Memorialists and Archivists might work with the dying to preserve data according to their wishes. The largest aspect of their work will be to craft a respectful digital image of a person to live on in memoriam. They will also repurpose useful data and work with digital archiving AI tools to process, sort, and store all the data that makes up their clients’ lives. 

Digital Memorialists and Archivists will need to be excellent researchers and analysts and will need strong digital literacy. While these skills can be self-taught, a qualification in Library or Information Sciences would be helpful.

A Day in the Life of a Digital Memorialist

Meet with Clients to Discuss Memorial Ideas

Spend time with families and friends to understand their wishes, gathering stories, photos, videos, and personal mementoes to create a unique digital memorial that truly reflects their loved one’s life.

Design and Build Digital Memorial Spaces

Use design software and digital tools to create custom memorial websites, digital scrapbooks, or interactive timelines, weaving together multimedia elements to craft a meaningful narrative.

Curate and Edit Multimedia Content

Edit and enhance photos, videos, and audio recordings to ensure they look and sound their best, while also adding digital elements like animations, captions, or voiceovers to bring memories to life.

Research Historical and Cultural Contexts

Dive into historical records, family trees, and cultural contexts to add depth and accuracy to digital memorials, ensuring they are both informative and respectful.

Collaborate with Tech Teams for Virtual Experiences

Work with developers and VR specialists to create immersive virtual reality experiences or digital 3D environments that allow people to ‘visit’ places of significance or explore cherished memories in new ways.

Provide Support and Training to Families

Offer guidance to families on how to use the digital memorial platforms, upload new content, and engage with the memorial over time, ensuring they feel empowered to keep memories alive in the digital space.

Digital Memorialists and Archivists are in demand across various sectors. You’re not just limited to dusty archives or silent museums; your skills can take you to exciting places!

• Museums and Historical Sites
• Libraries and Educational Institutions
• Government Agencies
• Cultural Organisations
• Media Companies
• Private Collections and Foundations

To be a great Digital Memorialist and Archivist, you’ll need a mix of technical and analytical skills.

• Research
• Digital Literacy
• Attention to Detail
• Organisational Skills
• Critical Thinking

Thinking about what subjects to focus on in school? It all starts with STEM!

• History
  • Understand the past to preserve it.
• Computer Science
  • Manage and operate digital archiving tools.
• Art and Design
  • Help in restoring and presenting old documents and artefacts.
• Media Studies
  • Learn how to communicate historical facts effectively.
• Literature
  • Develop a deep understanding of content curation.

Ever launched a virtual exhibit visited by thousands from around the globe? Or how about discovering a long-lost letter that changes what we know about history? Digital Memorialists and Archivists get to experience these thrilling moments, using their skills to make history accessible and engaging in the digital age.

• Create a Virtual Memory Garden Design an interactive online garden where family and friends can plant digital flowers, light candles, or leave messages, creating a shared space for remembrance that grows over time.
• Develop Immersive VR Experiences Use virtual reality technology to recreate meaningful locations, like a childhood home or a favourite holiday spot, allowing loved ones to ‘walk through’ cherished places and relive precious memories.
• Produce Personalised Memory Videos Compile photos, videos, and audio recordings into a captivating tribute video, complete with music, voiceovers, and special effects that capture the essence of a loved one’s life story.
• Build an Interactive Family Tree Create an engaging digital family tree that allows users to click on photos and documents to uncover hidden stories, facts, and connections, bringing family history to life in a dynamic way.
• Digitally Restore Old Photographs Use advanced photo editing software to restore and colourise old, faded photographs, giving them new life and allowing families to see their heritage in a fresh, vivid light.
• Host Online Memorial Events Plan and coordinate virtual memorial events or live-streamed tribute ceremonies, complete with guest speakers, digital guestbooks, and multimedia presentations that bring people together from around the world.

Digital memorialists in Australia are opening up the way we remember and honour lives in the digital age, using their unique talents to craft heartfelt and creative tributes. Here are four inspiring women who are making an impact in this growing field:

Vanessa McMahon

Founder of Forever Virtual, Vanessa specialises in creating immersive virtual memorials and interactive family trees, helping families across Australia keep their loved ones’ memories alive through innovative digital experiences.

Claire Davies

As the director of Memorialise Me, Claire combines her skills in digital storytelling and multimedia production to build personalised online memorials that celebrate the life stories of individuals in engaging and interactive ways.

Samantha Forbes

Co-founder of Digital Remembrance AU, Samantha focuses on designing digital memorial gardens and VR experiences that offer families unique ways to honour and remember their loved ones, blending nature and technology beautifully.

Dr. Kate Rossmanith

A digital heritage specialist and researcher at Macquarie University, Dr. Rossmanith explores new methods of digital commemoration, combining academic insight with practical applications to enhance how we remember and memorialise in the digital world.

To be a successful Digital Memorialist and Archivist, having these traits are a great starting point:

• Curious
  • Always eager to learn more about the past.
• Patient
  • Some projects might take a long time to complete.
• Creative
  • Find new ways to solve old problems.
• Detail-Oriented
  • Every little bit of history matters.
• Flexible
  • Adapt to new technologies and methods.
• Passionate
  • Have a love for history and preservation.

If you’re aiming for university, consider these degrees to get you well-prepared:

Bachelor of Digital Media or Design

Start with a degree in Digital Media or Design to develop the technical skills needed for creating digital content, websites, and interactive experiences. Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Western Australia offers a Bachelor of Design with a specialisation in Digital Media, which covers essential skills such as web development, animation, video production, and digital storytelling. This degree provides a solid foundation for crafting personalised digital memorials and interactive tributes that capture the essence of an individual’s life.

Bachelor of Arts (History or Digital Humanities)

Consider a degree in History or Digital Humanities if you’re interested in exploring the cultural and historical contexts of digital memorialisation. The University of Western Australia (UWA) offers a Bachelor of Arts in History with opportunities to focus on digital archiving, heritage preservation, and public history, equipping you with the knowledge needed to handle historical content and create meaningful digital memorials.

Master’s in Digital Heritage or Multimedia Design

A master’s degree in Digital Heritage or Multimedia Design provides advanced training in digital curation, heritage management, and multimedia production. Curtin University offers a Master of Arts in Digital and Social Media, which focuses on the design and management of digital content, user experience, and interactive media. This programme prepares you for roles that require a deep understanding of both digital tools and human experiences.

Graduate Certificate in Web Design or Digital Archiving

For a more targeted approach, consider a Graduate Certificate in Web Design or Digital Archiving from institutions like Murdoch University. These courses focus on the practical skills needed to create and maintain digital memorial platforms, including website development, digital preservation, and data management.

Look into:

• Bachelor of Arts in History
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Arts in Archival Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

When you study to become a Digital Memorialist and Archivist, you can mix and match subjects to suit your interests and career goals. Imagine combining computer science with history to learn not just about the past but also about how to preserve it using modern technology. Or maybe art and digital media, where you can learn how to digitally restore ancient paintings and sculptures. These combinations help you develop a unique set of skills that are highly valuable in the digital preservation field.

Another exciting option is to pair your degree with practical workshops in museums or archives. This hands-on approach ensures you’re not just learning from books but are getting real-world experience. Plus, working with professionals who are already in the field can provide invaluable insights and networking opportunities.

Finally, consider adding a minor in a related field, such as cultural studies or media production. This broadens your understanding and opens up even more possibilities in various industries, helping you become a well-rounded professional ready to tackle various challenges in the digital archiving world.

During your studies, you’ll uncover fascinating subjects like historical research methods, digital file management, preservation techniques, and even ethical considerations in archiving. You’ll learn how to use advanced software to digitise, store, and protect historical documents and artefacts. Plus, you’ll develop critical thinking skills as you analyse historical data and decide how best to preserve and present it to the world.

Not keen on spending years at university? No worries! Gaining work experience is important too. You might start with internships at local museums, libraries, or archives. Volunteering for community history projects or helping with digital exhibitions can also give you a taste of what the job involves and help build your CV.

Certifications in Digital Storytelling or Memorial Design

Gain industry-recognised certifications in digital storytelling, memorial design, or web development through providers like TAFE WA. These courses provide practical skills in content creation, digital curation, and interactive design, helping you to build a portfolio of digital memorials that capture unique life stories.

Workshops on Digital Heritage and Creative Technologies

Attend workshops or short courses offered by organisations such as The Australian Centre for Digital Innovation (ACDI) or the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA). These workshops provide insights into the latest trends and tools in digital memorialisation, from virtual reality applications to digital archiving.

Join Digital and Heritage Networks

Connect with networks such as the Australasian Digital Humanities Association (ADHA) or the International Society for Digital Memorialisation to stay updated on the latest trends, research, and job opportunities in digital memorialisation.

Attend Conferences and Seminars on Digital Heritage

Participate in events like the Australian Historical Association Conference or the Digital Heritage Conference to learn from industry experts, explore innovative practices, and network with professionals in the field of digital heritage and memorialisation.

Micro Learning Platforms

Online courses that focus on specific skills like digital archiving, database management, or even coding can be completed in a much shorter time.

So where can you find great opportunities for digital memorialists?

Western Australia

The rich history and ongoing cultural projects here provide numerous opportunities in both governmental and private sectors, particularly in Perth’s many museums and cultural centres.

Australia-Wide

Across Australia, there’s a growing demand for professionals who can manage and preserve digital records. From the National Archives in Canberra to smaller, local history projects, opportunities abound.

Global Opportunities

The world is your oyster! From the Smithsonian in the USA to the British Library in the UK, countries worldwide value the skills of Digital Memorialists and Archivists to preserve their national heritage.