Output details

Book Kernel

Origins

Funded through REACT and originally conceived as a work of process design, this research aimed to develop a digital distribution system that works with the transience of oral culture.

Context

When a story is shared orally, ownership is gained through listening and retelling, rather than by physical possession. In live performances of poetry and storytelling, the text lives through human interaction and interpretation. Working in this context and with ‘oral literacy’, the challenge was to create a digital system that enabled books to ‘behave’ like oral stories, living within and beyond publication.

Process

The research investigation involved an iterative process of system and interaction design. Soyinka initially produced a platform design and specification and, then, over a three-month period, the team rapidly developed and tested a series of prototypes with live audiences.

Insights

As the research progressed, it became apparent that the audiences placed greatest value on the human and performative aspects of the system. The challenge, therefore, became a social one: how do we enable readers and authors to engage with books as objects in translation? The innovation in the research lay in the creation of a digital system that interfaces with real-world editorial processes and local delivery systems to create responsive and adaptive publication experiences.

Dissemination

At a one-day event in March 2013, an international team of translators gathered in situ (or via internet connections) at the birthplace of Dylan Thomas to engage in instantaneous translation and performance of poetry using Book Kernel. The audience added their own comments and suggestions to the live translations and three versions of the book, including a bound printed edition, were produced on the day. The Book Kernel approach to publishing has since been showcased at several national events, including the Digital Cardiff Week and the Guardian Activate conference.