About ︎︎︎ This project was completed for the fulfillment of the University of Washington Master of Design thesis requirements from 2020–2021.

Project by:
Taylor Miles Hopkins

Thesis Committee:
Annabelle Gould (Chair), Jayme Yen, Audrey Desjardins

The Anthropocene is our current epoch in which the Earth’s environment and residents are heavily impacted by human influence. While many people recognize the possible future effects of Anthropogenic change, such as rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, and extensive waste, it can be difficult to imagine how the world might actually alter.

Narratives allow us to weave diverse ideas together to relate to the experiences of others and grasp abstract information. Design can also act as a storyteller—speculative designers bring attention to present societal issues while designing artifacts for the future. What artifact could be better to tell stories than the book? It has been a notable part of many human histories, from stone tablets to the printed page.
The book’s form often reflects the current technological and cultural points in many societies, so what forms will it take in the future? Through a series of three book iterations addressing the challenges of the Anthropocene, this thesis uses design as a storytelling tool to communicate to readers how their futures, as well as the book’s, will need to adapt to our changing world.

Tomorrow’s Book: Artifacts in the Anthropocene

Tomorrow’s Book: Artifacts in the Anthropocene