Nelson_HiRes

Future of the Book

Redefining the future of books for the digital age

In 2010, IDEO New York embarked on a visionary project exploring the future of the book coinciding with the launch of the first iPad. This bluesky initiative aimed to provoke discussions on design and technological innovation within the publishing industry, reaching a global audience and sparking valuable conversations about emerging technologies. The project culminated in a film that was honored with a Webby Award in the autumn of the same year.

Under the guidance of  Robert Lenne, the Interaction Design Lead, I led the delivery phase of this project. After brainstorming sessions in the New York studio, I identified the strongest concepts, sketched interactions, and developed storyboards, ultimately planning the entire production, including animation and filming.

My responsibilities included collaborating closely with a communication design colleague to prepare the necessary assets for the film. I managed the planning, filming, editing, and motion graphics, ensuring the successful delivery of this narrated video showcasing our innovative concepts.

Team

Robert Lenne, Christina Nizar

Skills

Ideation
Concept Design
Motion Design
Storyboarding
Art Direction
Filmmaking
Post-Production (After Effects)

My Role

Interaction Designer & Filmmaker

Timeline

Aug 2010 - Sept 2010

Location

Manhattan

IDEO Brainstorm

Background

Coming out of a day of workshop, we had an impressive set of the ideas to take a source from>

The natural next step was to diverge, and we voted for the three strongest concepts to develop and tell a story with.

FOB naming

Video tests

To achieve the right impact for the video, I took a hands-on, experimental approach, iterating on motion prototypes and video tests to refine the visuals.

Key to this process was establishing a consistent lighting and color palette to complement the screen content.

I also focused on pacing, managing the tight three-minute constraint to align perfectly with the recorded script.

Finally, I carefully selected and styled artifacts to visually support each concept, using them as narrative anchors to guide viewers through each idea.

prototypes

Prototyping in Motion

The setup consituted of a hack of materials available in the office. Using the paper roll the canvases were available to slowly pan into view and allow for the smooth filming.

IMG_9480

Creating the environment

Late nights at the IDEO Studio getting each one perfected one at a time. My responsibilities was to get this working right, with the lights, the greenscreen, the timing and interaction design.

Formats

With research into book and magazine formats we came up with the following recommendations, something that helped set them apart and serve the purpose of their concept (i.e democracy for wide screen with commentary).

Future of the Book formats

Three Concepts

Alice
Redefining reading by using game mechanics and non-linear storytelling to let readers actively shape the narrative and blur fiction with reality.

Coupland
Helping readers stay informed by connecting them through social features like book clubs and shared reading lists, making it easy to discover, discuss, and learn from essential reads.

Nelson
Reimagining books as tools for critical thinking by layering multiple perspectives, references, and ongoing conversations, offering deeper context and encouraging exploration beyond the book itself.

alice
coupland
nelson

Behind the Scenes

Separate sets and sessions to compose and test run each with their appropriate theme and artifacsts.

fob setup
Final 2560

Designs for Launch

The video release went live in September 2010, a month after production was complete. Press reached coverage included Wired, Guardian, Swissmiss, Good , Fast Company and more.

In the subsequent Webby Awards, it won in the category: Experimental & Weird, Online Film and Video.

I created the setup with my colleague Christina with a hack of materials availble in the office. Using the paper roll the canvases were available to slowly pan into view and allow for the smooth filming.

The film

With over half a million views the video created an engaging debate worldwide.

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