Exercise 2: The future of the book

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.

Research task: The future of the book

Explore some of the factors that are at play in shaping the future of books globally by reading Chapter 7: The Future of the Book from David Finkelstein and Alistair McCleery’s An Introduction to Book History (2005). This fifteen page chapter (pages 118–132) is available electronically in the library here: http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ucreative-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1092818

Introduction

I'm starting from a technological angle because digital music and movies have changed the way we watch and access this type of information/entertainment and my research will uncover whether this will be the same for books.

When I was younger, I remember going to my local record shop and spending my pocket money on CD Albums, which I then stored physically on a CD rack. Then Apple iPods came along, and I was amazed that I could store hundreds of tracks on a mini device without having to carry around a personal CD player that skipped every time I moved! I also remember using blank tapes to record songs off the radio, hoping that the DJ wouldn't talk over the song while I was recording.

Fig. 1 Various iPod models. From left to right: iPod 5th generation in a case, iPod 4th generation, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle (2006)

I remember when this change happened to VHS videos, which transitioned to DVD and Blu-ray. Both these mediums have since become digital, with video and music shops essentially becoming obsolete. The invention of apps such as Spotify for music and online streaming platforms such as Netflix has dramatically changed how we access music, podcasts, audiobooks and movies.

I look at how we access these now and can hardly believe I used to buy CDs or DVDs. The advancement of the internet has played a huge role in how we access entertainment online (thank goodness we don't have dial-up internet anymore). Technology has advanced rapidly when I consider life before smartphone devices and cloud storage. Do I think this will happen to the printed book? My initial reaction is no, but I might change my mind after I do further research.

Fig.2 VHS and DVD (2019)

While researching the future of the book, I came across this very interesting video. It discusses the increase in sales of physical books following the introduction of digital and e-books.

The future of the book, for readers

I brainstormed some of the current trends and the possible outcomes for the future of books for the reader. Please click on the link to see more. https://app.milanote.com/1U2tdb1lxllefc?p=YD6It2xwe2f

I feel that the reader is in a strong position to take advantage of the future of the book as the consumer. The reader gains the most benefit from the advancement of technology, deciding which format they prefer to read. Below is a pie chart showing that a third of American adults read both digital and physical books.

Fig.5 eBooks Versus Print Books (2024)

I found the graph interesting because it shows that readers are open to both formats for reading. However, I question whether these statistics would be the same for a developing country like where I live in South Africa, where not everyone has access to devices. Currently, libraries for physical books are nonexistent due to a lack of funding and inadequate infrastructure. The data assumes that everyone who reads is literate and can afford such devices.

In my brainstorming exercise, it was clear to me that printed books are not dying, in the same way that music CDs and DVDs are now exclusively digital. The physical book is now becoming a collectable, a limited edition, a work of art and a decorative piece in readers' homes. It also serves as a physical visual library of the books read.

The reader enjoys the tactile feel and smell of books, which provides a unique reading experience that an e-book can't match. However, the e-book option gives readers more choice globally in what they choose to read, making traditional publishers lose market share to independent publishers who have the opportunity to offer alternative or niche reading options. E-books can be downloaded instantly and whole libraries can be made portable, making them an excellent choice for travellers or those with limited physical storage space.

I personally find that digital books are good for highlighting notes when researching with textbooks online. Since data is updated frequently, the textbook can be updated online without the expense of reprinting. The digital algorithms are so intuitive of the users' reading history that they can recommend further reading, personalising the reader's experience. Digital books are more interactive and immersive. I think I prefer to read physical novels, but I like the convenience of e-books for research and study.

The future of the book, for designers

I brainstormed some of the current trends and the possible outcomes for the future of books for the reader. Please click on the link to see more. https://app.milanote.com/1U2tdb1lxllefc?p=YD6It2xwe2f I found that book designers aren't necessarily at a disadvantage.

Books are becoming limited editions and collectables, giving book designers more creativity to design and giving better quality and originality in their designs. Designers are revolting against AI-generated book covers, and I think readers are acknowledging the respect for artwork by artists, illustrators and cover designers. However, there is a market for designers to make a living by creating template covers, where they can earn licensing and royalties for using their templates. With social media, book toks and bookstagrams are popular social media platforms, where many designers can showcase their work and freelance for potential work.

Reflection

Despite the digitisation of CDs and DVDs, print books seem to be evolving, by offering more accessible ways for readers to enjoy books.

Readers can enjoy more choices and connect to books in a different way. The experience is becoming more immersive, collaborative and creative. For publishers, it is easier to update digital books, formatting is easier and classics and back issues can make the libraries almost endless. Independent publishers can also publish niche material and adapt to an ever-changing market, allowing readers to choose from a diverse range of content. Designers can create stunning, limited-edition designs that become collector's items.

"From a social media post to a blog article, people today read short-form writing on smartphones and tablets. But when they want to read in longer formats they turn to books, and, more often than not, they turn to “dead tree” editions printed with paper and ink". (Errera, 2024)

When I think of my own reading preferences, I prefer to read small snippets of information digitally, such as newspapers, some magazines and social media posts on my mobile or tablet. To read a novel, I will read print books, and I will be drawn to limited editions so I have a physical collection of what I have read, I suppose, like an achievement bookcase! To study, I still prefer to read physical books. Studying online has allowed me to access books in virtual libraries. Although reading online can be cumbersome, it does allow me to take notes and arrange them methodically.

References

Bibliography- The future of the book

Beach, C. (2023) Are books dying? At: https://books.org/blog/are-books-dying/  (Accessed:31/07/2025).

 Cullen, D. (2017) Editors, Scholars, and the Social Text. (1st ed.) University of Toronto Press. At: https://www.perlego.com/book/1141512  (Accessed: 01/08/2025).

Errera, R. (2024) Printed Books vs eBooks Statistics, Trends and Facts [2025] At: https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/paper-books-vs-ebooks-statistics/?srsltid=AfmBOorSYKdtMG_akd9H-ohiHmk0yXjur8DY20QU8_2_NzlO2btajSVq (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Finkelstein, D, & Mccleery, A (2012) Introduction to Book History, Taylor & Francis Group, Oxford. At: ProQuest Ebook Central. (25/07/2025).

Grapheine Graphic Design (2017) A short history of book cover design At: https://www.grapheine.com/en/history-of-graphic-design/history-of-book-covers-1 (Accessed: 30/07/2025).

Guden, C. (2024) The history and future of book covers: the influence of cover design within the publishing industry. At: https://wearewhitefox.com/the-history-and-future-of-book-covers-the-influence-of-cover-design-within-the-publishing-industry/  (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Kraft, N. et al. (2018) The Changing Book. (1^st ed.) Routledge. At: https://www.perlego.com/book/1485610 (Accessed: 30/07/2025).

Moraru, V. (2023) The Future of Books. At https://medium.com/@moraruviorel83/the-future-of-books-11316f4cbddc (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Nuwer, R. (2016) Are paper books really disappearing? At: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160124-are-paper-books-really-disappearing Accessed: 01/08/2025).

Shaurya, V. (2023) Book Covers Are Making a Comeback — Here's Why Entrepreneurs Should Take Note. At: https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/why-book-covers-are-making-a-comeback/457979  (Accessed:31/07/2025).

University of Plymouth (2023) What is the future of the book in the digital age? At: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/discover/what-is-the-future-of-the-book-in-the-digital-age  (Accessed:31/07/2025).

Why physical books still outsell e-books | CNBC Reports (2020) [YouTube] At: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Em-U9onvGI (Accessed:25/07/2025).

Images

Fig. 1 Harrison, C. (2006) Various iPod models. From left to right: iPod 5th generation in a case, iPod 4th generation, iPod Mini, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle [Photograph] At: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod#/media/File:Various_iPods.jpg (Accessed: 30/07/2025).

Fig. 2 Gordon, W. (2019) VHS and DVD. [Photograph] At: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-convert-vhs-home-movies-to-dvd (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Fig. 3 Bickford-Smith, C. (2016) The Brontë Sisters Boxed Set. [Image] At: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/541269/the-bronte-sisters-boxed-set-by-charlotte-bronte-emily-bronte-anne-bronte-covers-illustrated-by-coralie-bickford-smith/ (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Fig. 4 Errera, R. (2024) Infographic [Image] At: https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/paper-books-vs-ebooks-statistics/?srsltid=AfmBOorSYKdtMG_akd9H-ohiHmk0yXjur8DY20QU8_2_NzlO2btajSVq (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Fig. 5 Errera, R. (2024) eBooks Versus Print Books [Graph] At: https://www.tonerbuzz.com/blog/paper-books-vs-ebooks-statistics/?srsltid=AfmBOorSYKdtMG_akd9H-ohiHmk0yXjur8DY20QU8_2_NzlO2btajSVq (Accessed:30/07/2025).

Fig.6 Grapheine (2017) The Treasure Books [Image] At: https://www.grapheine.com/en/history-of-graphic-design/history-of-book-covers-1 (Accessed: 30/07/2025).

Fig.7 Grapheine (2017) Cloth Bound Book [Image] At: https://www.grapheine.com/en/history-of-graphic-design/history-of-book-covers-2  (Accessed: 30/07/2025).

Fig. 8 Cullen, D. (2017) Editors, Scholars, and the Social Text 1. [Image] At: https://www.perlego.com/book/1141512  (Accessed:01/08/2025).

Fig. 9 Cullen, D. (2017) Editors, Scholars, and the Social Text 2. [Image] At: https://www.perlego.com/book/1141512  (Accessed:01/08/2025).