Brief: Given the current development of the book from printed to digital technologies, what do you see as the future of the book, for readers, and book designers? Where do you see the book heading? Show and tell. Try and summarise your thinking into a series of short statements, quotations, images (collage) or ideas. Be creative in how you approach this. Use your learning log to reflect on the essay and your own thoughts and visual ideas about the future of book design. This research will feed into part of your first assignment.
This brief is really interesting as mentioned during exercise 1, I downloaded my first digital book and in the aspect of it being an actual book, I did not enjoy the digital version. However when it comes to other written items such as news/online articles I have no issue with reading these digitally. I’m quite split when it comes to deciding if I am personally for or against digital technologies to printed.
Research
I started off by creating a mind map to help stimulate ideas of what I think the future of the book is.
I wanted to see what others thought of this topic, so I decided to ask three individuals of their thoughts.
Feedback 1 (Liberian) – As a liberian, this is something that passes some of our minds. The younger generation would be more adept to download and enjoy books on eReaders, where as the older generation may not have the technology or understanding to do so. The issues on library books still out do those that are downloaded. I think many would miss the joy of turning the pages in a printed book too much for the book to convert to eBooks permanently.
Feedback 2 (Student) – I prefer digital technologies for reading, I find it easier to locate what I’m looking for rather than flicking through hundreds of textbooks. It also saves space as I haven’t got to store books. When it comes to personal reading I would be lost without my Kindle. I can download whichever book I want from the touch of a button which is instantly available. I can read whilst on the go as they are small and lightweight.
Feedback 3 (Non-reader) – I think that books will soon become non existent due to the way technology is shaping our future. Although I’m not a reader, I would prefer to read an e-book as they are easier to handle and don’t look as daunting as you cant see the physical size of the book.
I wanted to research more on the topic and found a few very helpful and interesting articles. It seem that this is an on going debate between both printed books and eBooks with the divide being fairly even.
Ebooks vs Printed books: 7 reasons one is better than other
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/554845/7-scientific-benefits-reading-printed-books
https://owlcation.com/humanities/10-Reasons-Why-eBooks-are-Better-than-Print-Books
I will use this research within my design process in the next steps.
Design Process
I want to create an infographic to show the future of the book, this way I add the information informally and show the Pro’s and Con’s to the topic.
Reflection
I’m really pleased with my infographic, I feel that it is clear and informative. This exercise has been interesting to me, although I’m not a book reader I can still relate to the tactility of a printed book. However I can also understand the benefits of eBooks – with them being easily portable and stored. I’m glad that I took the time to research the matter in depth as this helped with the infographic and also to educate myself on the topic.
I think the future of the book will result in more digital books, just by the way that the world is changing and how technology is taking over. It’s a worrying thought of libraries and book stores loosing business and with the risk of closures. Although there are still many benefits to digital books such as instant downloads and easy storage. However personally I feel more distracted when reading eBook as I have the internet at my fingertips, where as when reading a book I can switch off from the real world.
References
Graph data: https://www.statista.com/statistics/261278/number-of-books-sold-in-the-uk/
Books sold fact: https://www.kitaboo.com/6-reasons-students-prefer-digital-content/
Percentage fact: https://pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/25/one-in-five-americans-now-listen-to-audiobooks/
Amendments After Receiving Tutors Feedback
My tutor mentioned that – ‘It isn’t clear where the future of the book is covered in the exercise, its clear that the past and present is addressed, but not the future of the book. And that it might be worth investigating how reading is becoming more interactive, with the reader playing an active role in where the story goes.’ https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/10-choose-your-own-adventure-books-for-grownups/
I started off by reading the article which my tutor sent me. It was interesting to read about this particular genre of book, its a fun way to have the reader involved more rather than just simply reading a book. This is one way that could effect the future of the book – with this particular style it could be created digitally with an option which the reader chooses the fate of the characters? although in saying that it would cause the author to write alternative story endings? However it could be a huge success and draw in a new audience?
Going back to my infographic, I thought of ways that I could add more information on what ‘I’ thought the future of the book is. Originally looking back at the brief, my work and my tutors feedback I think I became slightly lost, as I simply compared printed and digital without touching on the future so I thought I would recreate the infographic with the correct information!
I have added more information about digital side of books along with an opinion. I wasn’t too sure on what to put in my infographic, as truthfully I’m not entirely sure what the future of the book will be? I believe it will be down to the readers choice, as logically authors and producers will follow the rates of the highest selling product (whether that be printed or digital copies) so they are able to compete with rivals.
Deep down I believe that printed books will remain, its refreshing to look at printed paper rather than yet another screen in todays world. As a parent I encourage my children to read to limit screen time, which I believe a lot of other people may feel too. I feel I take the contents I read in better on paper, instead of skim reading on a screen.
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