Harnessing digital innovation for cultural heritage: a study on communicating West Lake folk tales through digital picture books

This study revolves around the design of digital picture books for the preservation and dissemination of West Lake folk tales, exploring their application and value in the inheritance of cultural heritage and cultural dissemination in the digital age. Utilizing methods of literature review, case study, and empirical research, this paper not only summarizes strategies for preserving and disseminating West Lake folk tales through digital picture book design but also practices the dissemination of digital picture books, taking “The Legend of the White Snake” as an example. This provides new perspectives and practical experiences for the digital preservation of folk tales. The study finds that digital picture books, as a new media form, effectively attract the interest of the younger generation with their unique visual expression, interactive design, and online dissemination advantages. This enhances their understanding and inheritance of traditional culture, showcasing the practical application value of communication studies in the dissemination of intangible cultural heritage. This research not only offers a new methodological perspective for the protection and dissemination of West Lake folk tales but also provides practical cases and theoretical extensions for the fields of communication studies and cultural dissemination. It emphasizes the importance of protecting and disseminating intangible cultural heritage in the digital age.