A thought I have been having for a while now questions the potential of the local bricks and mortar bookstore to let our new found environmentalism help in their quest to survive. The thought revolves around the ecology of the book though not necessarily the ecology of reading. I have wondered how paper based books with their obvious advantages of packaging can set themselves apart from ebooks. Ereaders are taking the high ground by claiming their readers are “green” which isn’t necessarily true once you consider the means of production and material used—the whole product lifecycle.
I just came across a briefing on www.trendwatching.com that explores the notion of the eco-iconic to signal the eco-mindedness of a product. It is a great primer for anyone thinking about iconography and book design and the environment.
Read the briefing>>
