BRANDING / PACKAGING / UI DESIGN
The Solution.
The Living Library uses wifi hotspots placed throughout local parks, to allow the reader to connect to the app and read a book or two whilst there. A sustainable way to read, without harming trees or nature.
The Living Library enhances the reader's experience by combining the calming aspects of nature and reading together. Encouraging people to read and also spend time outdoors.
HOLLY COULD . . .
LET IT LIVE.
THE BRIEF
Heighten the reading experience for 18 to 30 year-olds. Develop a product or service that enhances the relationship with reading, and promotes the benefits.
THE SOLUTION
The Living Library uses Wifi hotspots placed throughout local parks, to allow the reader to connect to the app and read a book or two whilst there. A sustainable way to read, without harming trees or nature. The Living Library enhances the readers experience by combining the calming aspects of nature and reading together. Encouraging people to read and also spend time outdoors.
RESEARCH
There is a major issue, with libraries closing everywhere. ''A total of 127 static and mobile libraries closed in the latest year, bringing the total down to just 3,618. ... The long-seen decline in library visits and book loans continued, with visits dropping 4.2% to 233.1 million, and the number of book loans falling 5% to 182.9 million.'' There needs to be a new way to bring reading to the public.
Along with the issue of library closures, there is an even bigger issue. Deforestation. Books being printed contributes majorly to this. the Environmental The Paper Institute state that 42% of trees that get cut down are made into pulp for paper products.
But we can't just stop reading. Reading for just 30 minutes a day could extend your life for up to 2 years. But how can you read if you don't want to contribute too deforestation and there are no libraries? Digital reading.
Nature benefits us in so many ways, improving your wellbeing and focus and so does reading. Combining these two things whilst also solving the issue of deforestation - the Living Library.
JUST 30 MINUTES OF READING A DAY COULD EXTEND YOUR LIFE BY 2 YEARS
SOLUTION
The Living Library encourages people to read, whilst also benefiting from being in the outdoors. Using an App and wireless hotspots the user scans a QR code located in and around local parks to then have access to a variety of books.
The name living library highlights the need for the brand, to benefit from libraries whilst also letting trees live. The branding features organic textures such as paper and utilises earthy tones to demonstrate the environmental nature of the brand.
Using pops of bright green and fresh white to make the designs eye catching, whilst still working with the natural environments the brand will be found in.
Visual Toolkit.
My branding for the Living Library uses a natural, earthy colour palette with pops of a brighter, more playful, and modern green. Alongside a natural brown paper texture, and rough paint stroke brushes. Enhancing the organic and earthy elements of the branding with natural and imperfect illustrations.
Logo.
The Living Library is a virtual library that enhances nature rather than destroys it to make books. The name Living Library reflects this. Allowing the Library to be alive and amongst the living trees and nature. My logo depicts a birdhouse in a tree, each wifi hotspot being a birdhouse in a tree, where you can connect to the internet and download books.
THE LIVING LIBRARY. KILL NOTHING BUT TIME.
PACKAGING
To highlight and explain the process behind the Living Library, signs will be placed around parks near the wifi hotspots. Featuring instructions and a QR code to scan to download the app and gain access to a whole library of books.
The Living Library App allows you to scan the QR codes at each park, gaining access to a different library each time. The App also features a profile page, to track your reading time as well as a map to find other Living Library parks to encourage more reading.
I decided to design a piece of packaging for the brand as a final touchpoint. The boxes will contain the birdhouse wifi hotspots, to be sent to local parks or schools for them to use.
VISUAL TOOLKIT
Below is my visual toolkit. A collection of all the elements that make up the brand of Living Library.
