1HDC 09.09 - The Future of Digital Reading - Submissions

Design by, Bea Joyce Enmil
Industrial Design Program UPVCC
University of the Philippines

“Read While you Write”

reading for the future is quite a vast subject to tackle with. There are so many ideas that may pop out of one’s mind. For we may not really know the future we can just guess.

The design that I have come up with is a book contained in a highlighter. However, instead of its normal function, which is highlighting stuff on paper, it produces not only colorful lines but rather words from a book. Such words are shown using the author’s own penmanship. So, the reader not only reads the book he likes, but can also see the real penmanship of the author. Thus, reading while writing or highlighting while reading.

This gadget can be used anywhere anytime as long as there is something that the reader can write on with. Plus, it is so handy. One can carry it anywhere as a key chain. So wherever the reader goes he can read the book he wants.

The consumers can purchase this product through bookstores in line with other readable materials. He/she just needs to find the title that he/she wants.

This gadget caters the usual senses used in reading a present book. If the reader wants to flip pages then he/she can just write on as many papers as he/she wants. For I’ve learned that flipping pages gives a fulfilling feeling to a reader.

The reading experience can be shared to others through sharing gadgets or the paper that was used by the reader.

Design by, Caryl Fehazel Faunillan
Industrial Design Program UPVCC
University of the Philippines

“D Reader”

Reading books wouldn’t be that ordinary in the future. With the advancements in technology, the digital world would be far imaginable than these days… Like this concept of having a digital book. From all the researches I made, I came up with this idea and called this the “D Reader” which means “digital reader”.

The “D Reader” is Wifi- ready and is bluetooth equipped with voice recorder and bluetooth- enabled headset. It enables one to the desired change fonts. It has an adjuster for lights to suit the user’s need.

Moreover, the “D Reader” has the following additional features:

  •  speakers for family gatherings;
    
  •  It can be connected to a printer for sharing. It also has a document viewer and enables one to publish documents;
    
  •  Markers for identity (click the command “underline”);
    
  •  One can record personal memories which could be related in the readings (e.g. annotations);
    
  •  One can directly go to the desired spot once by bookmarking it;
    
  •  One can browse the available books and purchase it online;
    
  •  For every book there is a specific code. Once the code has been entered, the readings will automatically flash on the screen;
    
  •  Before purchasing, one already has the idea about the book if it is beautiful or not since one can rate it, discuss, recommend, share, tag. (Environment) – people can come together to talk about their books;
    
  •  Can display a user’s most readable books and enable people to share their favorite books.
    

Design by, Elsy Jean Borja
Industrial Design Program UPVCC
University of the Philippines

Design by, jouanesa lopez
Industrial Design Program UPVCC
University of the Philippines

Clipbook is a digital reading system based on a picoprojector (tiny projector) that projects the text on an independent screen sheet.
The picoprojector consist of several spots in a linear way to take in the whole sheet, which can has various sizes, thick and proportions. The high luminosity led system allows nice contrast in high light conditions.
The picoprojector works as a dock, clipping on the support and reading the built in memory on it. The memory contains the dimensions data to focus the projector and from one to dozens of books.
The support sheet has a smooth and whitish projection surface, but the rest could be very simple or luxurious, thick or thin, light or heavy, cold or warm touch, texturized, with smell, graphic, …depending on the book or edition.
Clipbook can work independently over any support (p.e. a table) with a small internal memory and manual focus.
The interface is gestual, working by means of a camera that scans hand movements.

Sensual
Customizable screen sheet.
Gestual interface.

SocialAs easy to pass and share as a physical book (you only have to pass the sheet).

Modes/Rituals
Very adaptable to any situation.
Different supports for different editions for different situations.
Plug the sheet and read.
Group reading with big format.
Ecosystem
Plenty of opportunities thanks to independent sheet system


Design by, Cecille Gumadan
Industrial Design Program UPVCC
University of the Philippines

This sketch contains two ideas, both proposed as remedies for the fact that digital reading deprives the reader of some beloved aspects of books’ physicality: use of books as decorative items, use of books as a way to physically broadcast identity to self and others, ability to swap books/hand them over to a friend, and missing the experience of the colorful art on the book covers.

Idea One: “Mocks” (Bocks!?—nah!)

These rectilinear, color-coded book-shaped objects for a regular bookshelf are ironic, whimsical and possibly snarky abstractions of books. You use Mocks for colorful decoration, and/or to reference the messages book spines send to onlookers in a room. For example, your MockShelf can contain 3 ‘volumes’ of “Morality,” 2 volumes of “Immorality,” and 26 volumes of “Self-Help.” Or mock-tome upon mock-tome of vague categories like “Animals”, “Space”, or “Success.” You could have 40 “Phone Book”s in a row and 30 “Bible”s. Or a whole case full of “Reading for Dummies” spines. If absolutely necessary, these Mocks could be manufactured as containers to hold books, magazines, or weaponry. Mocks are colorful, too, and can be arranged in pleasing patterns that belie their sardonic humor.

As the airheaded socialite in Auntie Mame says, “Books are awfully decorative, don’t you think?”


Idea Two: Digital Book Library and Exchange

Inspired by the research insights (of course) and by the iPhone App “Bump” (photo exchange), this program (part of the Kindle or iPhone platform?) is a way for people to “give” or refer a book to another digital reader. Two readers can bump their Kindles or iPhones or whatever handheld devices together, sending just a visually beautiful graphic of a book cover (with title and author on it,) to the other person. The recipient can do several things with the graphic. He/she may keep the reference in their recommendations folder to buy later, buy an analog or digital copy immediately online and then later refer to this beautiful reminder graphic in their digital library and flip through all the “books” with satisfaction. So many books read! Now people can reference the pretty book covers as proxies for the books themselves (as markers of what they’ve accomplished by reading, as identity markers, etc.) just like they used to with the hard copies!

Stacey Greenebaum, NYC

ReadIT


Current digital readers are taking off (Kindle at the forefront) with the obvious comment that the digital reader leaves behind the physical form of the book and the age-old experience of “curling up” and reading a book. This isn’t necessary a hurdle for the digital reader - after all the iPod has little to no recollection of the needle on a record. Instead let’s continue to celebrate the classic form of the book side by side with the fresh form of the digital reader. My solution addresses two major aspects of the challenges of digital readers - the timelessness of the bound book and the ecosystem of books and reading.


BOOKS AND THEIR COVERS
Books should walk a fine line between utilitarian objects and artisanal pieces. Certainly in more ancient times the book was so prized that it was a work of art in and of its self. Today more often than the cover art is the only artful aspect of the book. The kindle almost entirely loses this and for no reason. Despite the adage of how we should not judge a book by its cover, we do just that. It is how we pick out a book at a bookstore. It is how we take note of what others are reading at the park, on the bus, in the coffee shop. A book’s cover is present in all stages of the book reading experience - We remember a book by it’s cover; the book cover has a sensory appeal when holding the book and a kinesthetic appeal when opening the book; and these aspects are still hugely important to us when we pass a book along to a friend to read. This reader incorporates a wrapping screen that can display the typical spine front and back cover of a book. There is minimal buttons, etc. in favor of a touchscreen interface so that there is a little as possible to compete with the cover art. The side opposite the spine would have the texture of pages edges so that it is easy to tell by feel which side is the front of the digital reader is.

BLEND THE MIXED MEDIA OF MODERN BOOK READING
Today books are generally available in some combination of bound, digital, and audio form. When buying a book the reader is left to foretell the future as to which medium should be purchased. Unless the reader is prepared to buy the same words in multiple forms, the reader must know at the onset which medium will work best for the reader’s entire life cycle with the book. Will I want to mark up the pages? Will I want to lend this to someone? Will I want to listen to this read to me as I fall asleep one night? Will I just want to read this once and never need to look at it again? Do I want to proudly display this on my bookshelf? All of these are questions that only get answered over time. So here is a reader that most simply can scan the barcode of a book and instantly download the text, cover art, and audio for that book. This way the reader would have with one purchase the physical book, the digital text, and the audio version. Some notable details of this new book ecosystem would include:

  • The barcode would have to be “activated” - In a bookstore, by a netflix-esque rental service, etc. Just like with gift cards in a store, they don’t work until you take them to the counter and purchase them. The DRM enthusiasts among us can sleep well with the potential that this activation could be linked to a user account so that I book could not be stolen or shared too much. That said, sharing shouldn’t be discouraged and if anything should be encouraged is supported by the interface.
  • The digital reader’s interface has a speaker and headphone port to listen to an audiobook alone or with a friend.
  • The interface would allow for note-taking as you read/listen, page marking, and passage highlighting and the sharing of all of these with fellow digital readers.
  • The interface would allow one to snyc where they left off reading when switching between mediums

Kicker Studio has three concepts. All of our concepts take into account the following six design principles that were drawn from the research:

    • Needs to be able to show book covers (and thus personal taste) via a quick visual reference
  • Has to display traces of history
  • Can have physical characteristics (weight, visible signs of age) that reflect the content
  • Has different physical instantiations for the same content, adjustable based on reader’s context
  • Supports reading multiple things at any given time (although not necessarily at once)
  • Not embarrassed to be seen using in public.

Here are the concepts:

Concept 1: BookLight

BookLight is a mini projector/camera the size of a book light. It can clip onto book-like objects, solid surfaces, or behind the ear. BookLight can project text onto any surface and starts by projecting a reading collection for a reader to choose from. BookLight is controlled via gestures visible through its camera. Readers can page through reading material, make bookmarks and notes, and underline text with a hand or stylus. The camera also detects usage and image changes over time to reflect fingerprints and page “aging.” Pages can permanently take on some of the texture of the surface they are projected onto. Projection can be re-sized for context: reading on a hand, on hand-held reading surface, on a table or wall, etc.

Concept 2: BookEnds

Two “paddles” held separately in each hand create BookEnds, which project a holographic image in between them that displays reading material in air. The size of the reading canvas is determined by how far apart the reader’s hands are while holding the paddles. The reader flips through pages by lifting the right paddle towards left one, as though turning a page in a newspaper or book. The weight of the paddles shifts to reflect the reader’s place in the book. The relative size of each book is reflected in the weight of the panels as well. The panels can be stored standing up on a shelf to charge, displaying the spines of the reader’s collection between them.

Concept 3: Book Blocks

Book Blocks are post-it sized, thin squares with a matte, touchscreen display. Book Blocks snap together to form a larger surface area for reading. For example, many blocks together can form a newspaper-sized reading surface — content adjusts for the new surface space. Publishers can sell special blocks with their content (e.g. individual books, a yearly subscription to the New York Times, etc). Readers can share content by snapping off a block and handing it to a friend. Cafes can have Blocks embedded into tables so that visitors can attach their own blocks to see what the last occupants of the tables were reading.

THE FUTURE MOBILE DEVICE (!)

I think that in the future (sooner than later…) we will carry a personal computer on which we will consume all our media. The device will be our phone, music player, media-reader, word processor etc. The FMDevice is essentially an expandable, flexible touch screen computer.

For E-Reading, the FMDevice can be expanded to increase the screen size, making reading easier. The screen size is controlled by manipulating the interface buttons in the corners of the device. The screen is capable of expanding because of recent advances in elastic LCD technology.

Because it is also a phone and computer, media can shared easily between users via text message or email.

READ N’ ROLL

Hi all, so my idea is of a portable electronic reader that can roll up to about the same radius as a 12oz soda can. It’s inspired by the now old fashioned newspaper. I’d imagine it’d be about a quarter inch thick and available in different heights comparable to those of paper backs, hardcovers, magazines, and newspapers. The outside would be comprised of durable plastic panels that allow the reader to be rolled when not in use much in the same manner as the wheels of a tank, and would protect like one too! When opened, the panels would snap together keeping the book rigid and straight.


The reader could be rolled out completely and pages could be displayed one at a time, divided via the center, quadrants, etc. according to the preferences set by the user. Also in environments where space is tight, (i.e: cars, subways, buses, etc.) the reader could be unrolled only slightly and the page would scale to fit only the open area. Pages could be turned by either sliding (much like the iPhone)or tapping a thumb print icon which can be stationed anywhere on the page as set in user preferences.

When rolled out completely, the farthest panel to the left would be exposed. This slightly thicker panel is the control panel and contains all the buttons regarding user preferences, and also a firewire and/or USB port to upload new books and other information. The control panel also stores the stylus, which can be removed and used for note taking, highlighting, etc. This design enables the control panel or “brain” of the reader to be at the center core, and thus is most protected when rolled up.


Since I’m sure we are all aware that in this day in age we are incapable of simply developing a reader that only facilitates reading (ex: phones can’t just make calls, they have to take pics, surf the web, store music, and wash your car too), I’ve added a few extra features. The Read N’ Roll has large memory capacity and wireless ability to allow for other types of non-conventional reading to be stored and or accessed with your reader, such as–personal documents, websites, blogs, etc.

The control panel’s furthest ends (top and bottom) can still be accessed even when fully rolled up. The very top has a head phone jack that can be set to play any stored audio information even when rolled up in your bag! And on the opposite end, at the very bottom of the control panel is the port that the charger locks into when loaded in the charging dock. AND! Because chicks dig sustainability, when unrolled somewhat and placed in the sun, the reader can be charged anywhere via small solar panels stored in the panels nearest the control panel so that they are also protected when rolled up.
IMG00516.jpg
Enjoy and remember that book lovers never sleep alone!

Hot Studio & friends submission, “The SuperFlyer 5000 Visits the Library in the Cloud”
Our submission consists of 2 concepts (attached as pdf), “Library in the Clouds” and “The SuperFlyer 5000.”

A multi-disciplinary group of 9 participants of Hot designers and friends gathered on Friday, Sept 25th. At 2pm we reviewed the research material, and at 3:15pm we divided into 2 groups to brainstorm concepts. We reconvened at 4:00pm (ish), and quickly sketched, photographed, and typed up our concepts.

We had beer, we had fun, and if we’re being honest, we ran a little over the allotted time. Blame the beer.

Thanks for giving us an excuse to have fun!

[slideshare]

Not sure why SlideShare isn’t showing the deck, the perms on their site are all set to public. Here’s the direct link: http://www.slideshare.net/joshdamon/1hr-design-challenge

Also, C77’s upload limit is 2mb, so here’s a link. http://hottub.hotstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/90-minutes-v2.pdf

Here is our digital reader - the Flipit!
Check out all the cool features in our presentation.
Please know that we took more than 90 minutes.



Spira! aims to build upon the experience of reading a book by providing an immersive reading atmosphere. The key feature of Spira! is the uninterrupted stream of words, which the user continuously reads as they pass by. The words flow from one spiral to the other, allowing the size of each spiral to subtly indicate reading progress. The spiral interface is used throughout the Spira! feature-set, organizing libraries, friends, annotations, and bookstore. The user can navigate the spiral menus one of two ways: a touch-screen interface for intuitive interaction, or a ‘quick wheel’ for one-handed operation. Text flow speed can be adjusted by both interfaces.

To fully immerse the reader in the literary experience, an encircling OLED display gradually changes images and colors designed to match the action and mood of the story.

Readers can develop their own personal library, which they can then share with friends. Sharing is encouraged by allowing users to give friends their favorite excerpts of books they recommend. While browsing through friends’ libraries, users can also view comments, reviews, and favorite quotes from each book.

While at any bookstore browsing through ‘classic’ books tagged with RFID, users can quickly purchase books via the RFID receiver embedded in the Spria! Users can also purchase books via an online bookstore that offers text-only, animation-enhanced, and special edition books. Users can also purchase personalized backgrounds through the online bookstore.

To ease the digital transition, some features are nostalgic - the fabric grips are reminiscent of classic hard cover books, and the black and white screen is similar to text on paper.

A feasible digital reader of the future should be it’s own unique entity. This design takes the best parts about reading a book – getting lost in the story.

General Concept:

• Multiple book shells
• Physical LED paper-like pages
o Can be added or subtracted depending on book length
• Digital spine/cover changes with chip
• Chip fully inserts into spine
• Chip system supports current format/layout of library/bookstores
• Can take notes on pages (stylus - ecosystem)
o Save to the chip
o Customizable books
• Can plug chip into projector (part of ecosystem)
• Shells can be old, new, glossy, matte, worn pages, leather bound
o Authentic reading experience
• Can buy chips in different formats
o To adapt to size of book
• Add-ins available for font size
o Elderly
• Pages load instantly to allow flipping through
• Can have artisan style books designed to work with only one chip
• Can buy preloaded books with chips already in them
o For those who don’t want to change, don’t want to deal with technology
• “The Librarian” - chip organizer

• New technology would be cheaper than purchasing normal books


Ecosystem:
• Stylus
• Projector
• “The Librarian” - chip/shelf organizer
• Shells
• Chip options
• Expansion packs for shells (extra pages)
• Chip holder




Revolutionary (and Snazzy) Book Sharing Interface

Visually browse your electronic bookshelf or check out your buddy’s through an online social book network. With our interface, you can share your collection with friends and add books to group pools. Friends make a request to borrow a book but it is up to you to accept or reject the request. If you let them borrow a book, you may specify the duration of the loan (or not) and track their progress through the book (so you can bug them if they aren’t reading it).

One catch:

When your friend borrows a book that book becomes unavailable to you. You can forcibly snatch your book back only after two “polite” return requests via the interface or once the book is “past due.”

Scribbles

With included stylus you can scribble notes all over the margins of your book. The display of notes can be toggled on/off without loss of data. Friends that are borrowing your book are unable to toggle your scribbles/notes. They may add their own notes and toggle as usual, but they are stuck with yours (like a real book!). Upon return of your book, their notes can be toggled on/off. Just imagine the potential layers of literary discourse to be held within these shared books…

Conceived by Michael Hages + James Killinger

This is the Earjections earbud. It projects the readers infomation infront of them for easy viewing anywhere. Pages turn or flip just like the type media would if it where in front of you. Enjoy clutter free reading anywhere at anytime. It works off the bluetooth attached to your favorite cell phone, PDA, or moblie device. The small projector produces a powerful holographic image that automatically adjusts to light levels. Safe and smart for all ages.

This is our project

The Quarto.

“Quarto (abbreviated 4to or 4°) is a technical term describing the format of a book, which refers to the size of leaves produced from folding a full sheet of paper on which multiple pages of text were printed to form the individual sections (or gatherings) of a book.” - Wikipedia

25 Pages = 50 Front and back
OLED Cover Flow front and back cover
OLED and touch panal screens on all pages
Accelerometer to flip book and continue reading. FLIP AND GO
sound headphones hdmi with video
3d glasses using new barcodes and camera
3 sizes: small, Quire, medium, Lexicon, large, Opus
Libray/Book Store
RF BLUETOOTH WIRELESS = social aspect
rent borrow buy using and iTunes like store
battery- usb charging and wireless place mat charging .






Nicole Zigmont
Brian James Simmons
Ryan Ramplin
Alex Pytlarz