British Library 2123


Speculative | Branding
Individual Project (Jan. 2024 - Mar. 2024)
This branding project is for the British Library. I took a speculative route to explore the question: “How should the library, as a public and national space, deal with its mission in an age of increasing digital information and mass communication?”


Brief:


  • Design and produce an A1 flag to represent a chosen place.
  • Extend the design to incorporate other manifestations.



Reader’s Handbook Design
Based on the advancement of artificial intelligence, I speculate a future of complete transformation of reading experience.

I imagined the library exists in a digital utopia and the reading experience exist only digitally. Its physical address is now only used as storage and archive, operating by robots and AI. Readers could access this virtual communal space anywhere anytime and the library serves the purpose of building community and helping personal growth.

The final set of visual identity showcases prototypes of the future, including the virtual navigation maps, a flag and the reader handbook design.



Reader’s Handbook Design



Virtual Map Design



Flag Design:

Projected on folded paper.






Visual Identity Design 

Typography


Logo Design





Mock-up


Design Process


Analysis of the current British Library identity

Strength:


  • High reputation and rich storage of resources
  • Building community cohesion and social inclusivity

Visit to the British Library



Trend:


Digitalisation, virtual communal spaces, accessible resources from anywhere, anytime.

Threat:


Less visitors to the physical library, cyber attack, cyber bullying, hardship in securing digital ownership etc.  

Persona




Oppotunity



Embracing Technology
Building Community 
Knowledge Exchange


The place is highly digitalised and provide a convenient and safe experience for the users.
 
The British Library is a dynamic, inclusive and accessible space for readers across the globe.
It aims to build a community for knowledge exchanges, inspiration and seeking. 

It is a flexible space support collaborative and individual activities.




Design Goal


Therefore, my goal of this branding project is to emphasise its identities as in a digital space and communicate a safe and inclusive experience for the visitors in the future.



Design System




Prototype and Iteration



Flag Rapid Prototype 





From the rapid prototypes and based on group feedback, I developed the following two prototypes:


The first prototype took inspiration of the flipping book to present the reader’s physical and mental journey.
The second prototype is designed to represent the interactions of different communities and knowledge in a digital frame.

They are both important entity of the library’s identity. I decided to combine both the two and projected on real folded paper, to represent the importance of paper in human history, even may no longer exists.





Frames

Reader’s Handbook and Vitual Maps


To introduce my audience to the speculative narrative, I wrote and designed a set of regulations and a reader registration screen that was then printed on clear acetate film to simulate digital screens. It includes a welcome intro, library regulations, and a reader pass to enhance the storytelling.


The Reader’s Handbook Design

The Virtual Map Design