Abstract
In October 2008, Esquire magazine became the first commercial publisher to utilize electronic paper display technology (EPD) for mass production and distribution of printed ephemera. Initially developed at the MIT Media Lab in 1997, E Ink displays have been integrated into a variety of hardware devices, including the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. However, the Esquire cover represents a milestone achievement in the evolution of a more sustainable, paperless print solution due to the medium’s flexible nature, low power consumption, and limited circuitry requirements. 100,000 copies were sold on newsstands for the regular cover price of $5.99 USD, proving both the economic viability and flexible application of the technology, which is impervious to ambient lighting conditions and adaptable to multiple modalities. This paper outlines the key features and benefits of E Ink, as well as the critical challenges impeding widespread adoption of EPD.
Keywords
Sustainable Design (Primary Keyword), Design And Society, Eco-Design, Communication And Information, Case Study/Studies
Citation
Moore, C. (2010) Sustainable Alternatives to Industrial Printing Practices: A Case Study Analysis of Esquire Magazine and Electronic Paper Display, in Durling, D., Bousbaci, R., Chen, L, Gauthier, P., Poldma, T., Roworth-Stokes, S. and Stolterman, E (eds.), Design and Complexity - DRS International Conference 2010, 7-9 July, Montreal, Canada. https://dl.designresearchsociety.org/drs-conference-papers/drs2010/researchpapers/87
Sustainable Alternatives to Industrial Printing Practices: A Case Study Analysis of Esquire Magazine and Electronic Paper Display
In October 2008, Esquire magazine became the first commercial publisher to utilize electronic paper display technology (EPD) for mass production and distribution of printed ephemera. Initially developed at the MIT Media Lab in 1997, E Ink displays have been integrated into a variety of hardware devices, including the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. However, the Esquire cover represents a milestone achievement in the evolution of a more sustainable, paperless print solution due to the medium’s flexible nature, low power consumption, and limited circuitry requirements. 100,000 copies were sold on newsstands for the regular cover price of $5.99 USD, proving both the economic viability and flexible application of the technology, which is impervious to ambient lighting conditions and adaptable to multiple modalities. This paper outlines the key features and benefits of E Ink, as well as the critical challenges impeding widespread adoption of EPD.