Welcome to the system of academic libraries in the year 2072.

Client

Universal Library System

Brief

Speculative Design

Services

+ Logo Design

+ Branding

+ Layout

Design Challenge

Throughout the United States, academic libraries have consolidated within the Universal Library System (ULS). Only ULS cardholders can enter library spaces. What would it mean to acquire an ID card in the year 2072?

Process

Research

In a team, I spent five weeks collaborating in mapping out problem areas academic libraries face that will be exacerbated in the near-distant future.

Members: Colin Erickson, Cindy Phung, Sumin Cho

Mind Map + Future Wheel

Scenario Building

After speculating on the distinct routes academic libraries can take, the team members created scenarios. Once we all finished our narratives, we consolidated them to make a world where our future artifacts co-exist.

Scenario

The academic library of the future in 2072 is almost entirely AI-supported. Resources like media, books, online websites, and more are accessible and easy to use to encourage students, faculty, and staff to utilize the library’s spaces and resources.

Upon entering the library, you’re greeted by the tall and wide screens. These displays showcase the library layout and can be filtered based on your needs. If you are studying, it can showcase spaces open versus occupied. This map shows the above-ground spaces meant for community wellbeing and the underground, which houses stacks, artifacts, and servers. Patrons can utilize assistive technology at the front desk to help them navigate the vast space. This technology, however, is only provided within the library and cannot be removed from the building.

The community spaces are opened to residents with a plethora of programs and classes on hundreds of different topics. These resources have human and AI educators available to be quickly reserved during library hours and are here to support your goals towards learning and growth. They will be available during library hours.

If you are a nostalgic soul and yearn for the touch of paper, you can explore the underground stacks. Get lost? Our assistive technology can help you find your way to new materials or even find your way out.

Low-Fidelity: Pen & Paper Sketches

Mid-Fidelity

High-Fidelity