How to design a library that makes kids want to read | Michael Bierut
TLDRThe speaker, a designer, shares his experience working with Robin Hood, a philanthropic organization in New York, to revamp school libraries. Initially tasked with creating a logo, the project evolved to include designing murals and engaging artists. The initiative, called the Library Initiative, aimed to transform dilapidated libraries into inspiring spaces, ultimately impacting over 40,000 children annually and igniting a love for reading.
Takeaways
- 🎨 A designer was approached by Robin Hood, a philanthropic organization in New York, to contribute to their initiative to improve New York City school libraries.
- 🏫 The goal was to enhance the learning environment for over a million students by renovating libraries in schools that were often old and in disrepair.
- 📚 The Library Initiative aimed to transform school libraries, which were seen as outdated and uninteresting, into vibrant and engaging spaces for students.
- 🤔 The designer initially focused on creating a new name and logo for the initiative, believing that the existing libraries were boring and needed rebranding.
- 🚫 After learning that many students had never experienced a well-maintained library, the focus shifted to simply improving and revitalizing the libraries without changing their name.
- 🏗️ The project involved collaborating with architects and librarians to redesign individual libraries, with the designer acting as a liaison between them and the artists.
- 🖼️ An unexpected request from an architect led to the creation of murals and other artistic installations in the libraries, enhancing their appeal to students.
- 👩🎨 The designer's wife, a photographer, along with other artists, contributed their talents to create unique murals for each library, sparking a trend among other librarians.
- 🎉 The designer and his team were invited to library openings, which were celebratory events filled with speeches, poetry, and a sense of community.
- 💡 The initiative had a profound impact, inspiring a love for reading in thousands of students and demonstrating that sometimes unintended consequences can lead to the most positive outcomes.
Q & A
What is the law of unintended consequences?
-The law of unintended consequences refers to the idea that actions taken to achieve a particular goal often have additional, unexpected effects that may be positive or negative.
Why was the speaker contacted by the Robin Hood organization?
-The speaker, a designer, was contacted by Robin Hood to contribute to their initiative to improve New York City school libraries by designing a logo for the project.
What was the initial challenge faced by Robin Hood in improving school buildings?
-The initial challenge was that fixing the buildings would be too expensive and impractical, so they decided to focus on improving one room in each building to enhance the students' experience.
Which room did Robin Hood choose to focus on in their initiative?
-They chose to focus on the school library, as it is a central place where students access books and the heart and soul of the school.
How did the speaker approach the task of designing a logo for the Library Initiative?
-The speaker approached the task by aiming to dispel the idea of libraries being musty and old, and instead create a new, exciting concept. He offered three different logo options based on this idea.
What were the three logo options proposed by the speaker?
-The three logo options were: 1) The Reading Room, suggesting a space for loud noises and discussions; 2) OWL, which could stand for One World Library, Open Wonder Learn, or other creative interpretations; 3) The Red Zone, playing on the phrase 'read' and 'red' being homophones.
How did the Robin Hood organization respond to the speaker's logo proposals?
-The organization responded that the premise of their work was based on the fact that many of the kids were not bored with libraries, but rather had never seen a proper library before. They decided to simply call it a library.
What unintended consequence occurred with the logo design?
-The unintended consequence was that the logo was so simple that it could be typed in any font or written by hand, and people started using the 'library' text and symbol combination without needing the speaker's design.
How did the speaker contribute to the murals in the libraries?
-The speaker suggested the idea of using pictures of the kids from the school for the murals. His wife, a photographer, took the photos for the first library, and later other artists contributed with paintings, collages, and other creative installations.
What was the impact of the redesigned libraries on the students and librarians?
-The redesigned libraries positively impacted around 40,000 kids a year, inspiring a generation of children to engage with books. The librarians took possession of these spaces and used them to mesmerize their students and bring books to life.
How did the speaker feel about his role in the Library Initiative?
-The speaker felt thrilled and satisfied with his role, especially after seeing the impact of the redesigned libraries on the students and experiencing the joy of the library openings and meeting the dedicated librarians.
Outlines
🎨 The Challenge of Unintended Consequences
The speaker, a designer, introduces the concept of unintended consequences and shares his aversion to them in his profession. He is approached by the philanthropic organization Robin Hood to help improve New York City school libraries. Despite the initial idea of fixing one room in each school, they decide to focus on the libraries. The speaker is tasked with being the graphic designer for the Library Initiative, aiming to create a logo that would attract students and modernize the perception of libraries.
🏫 Rebranding the School Library
The speaker discusses the process of rebranding the school libraries, starting with his attempt to give the initiative a new name. However, he learns that the children have never experienced a well-maintained library, so the focus shifts back to simply calling it a library. He designs a logo with an exclamation point to add excitement and watches as his design becomes a simple, adaptable symbol that can be used by anyone. The initiative expands to include personalized murals and artwork in each library, transforming them into inspiring spaces.
📚 The Joy of Library Openings
The speaker shares his experiences attending the openings of the newly renovated libraries, highlighting the joy and excitement of the events. He describes the librarians as the driving force behind the success of the libraries, using the spaces as their stage to engage students with literature. The speaker reflects on the unintended positive consequences of his involvement, noting that his simple contribution to the logo design led to a widespread impact on children's exposure to books and learning.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡unintended consequences
💡designer
💡Robin Hood
💡school libraries
💡Library Initiative
💡Reading Room
💡OWL
💡The Red Zone
💡graphic design
💡mural
💡unanticipated outcomes
Highlights
The concept of the law of unintended consequences is introduced, highlighting its existence beyond just a saying and its academic recognition.
The speaker's profession as a designer and their aversion to unintended consequences in their work.
The collaboration with Robin Hood, a New York-based philanthropic organization, aiming to benefit the New York City school system.
The challenge of renovating old, drafty, and sometimes dilapidated school buildings.
The strategic decision to focus on improving one room per building, specifically the school library, as part of the Library Initiative.
The involvement of architects and special librarians in the Library Initiative to reform public schools.
The speaker's role as a graphic designer for the Library Initiative, tasked with creating a logo.
The creative process behind the three logo options presented: the Reading Room, OWL, and The Red Zone.
The revelation that the school libraries in these schools were so neglected that the students had never seen a proper library, altering the approach to the project.
The final logo design, a simple yet impactful 'Library' sign, and its unintended adaptability across various fonts and handwritten forms.
The unexpected request from an architect to fill the space between the shelf and the ceiling with murals, expanding the designer's role beyond logos.
The collaborative effort with various artists, including photographers, illustrators, and designers, to create unique murals for each library.
The impact of the redesigned libraries on the students and librarians, inspiring a love for books and learning.
The joy of attending library openings and seeing the direct results of the project, emphasizing the importance of community and participation.
The realization that sometimes unintended consequences can lead to the most positive and impactful outcomes.