04/23/10: Ipad: Savior or Servant?
I teach two graduate courses in a masters of publishing program. The courses are introductions to design software, with an emphasis on its uses in the publishing industry. Publishing students are drawn to the industry for one thing (and believe me, it’s not the money)—a passion for reading. Traditionally, these students gravitated into one of two areas: magazines or books. Today, we are at a dangerous crossroads for both areas. Those who still have publishing jobs (for so many have been tossed to the curb lately) are biting their nails and waiting for the ax to drop at any minute. This publishing blood bath is around us in the folding of big magazines (Talk, dwell, etc), the narrowing of book lists, and the swallowing of imprints. Unlike those in the music industry, publishing professionals have been looking for a way to save the book (or magazine) using digital technology. E-readers were a good start, but price fixing at Amazon has soured many publishers and its black and white format does not translate to magazines. So along comes the Ipad and industry experts are jumping on the bandwagon. Is it the answer or just another fancy way to put a book on a screen? I think it’s a little of both.
Yes, Apple has been more willing to work with the publishing industry (magazines, newspapers, and books) on pricing. Yes, the Ipad is smaller and cheaper than a laptop. Yes, it is VERY pretty and is full color. However, I had a chance to test drive an ipad the other day and I’m not totally convinced. I know that I am a dinosaur when it comes to books and magazines. I enjoy the tactile nature of them—I like turning the pages—I really enjoy the eyeball break (I get tired of looking at a screen all day). I also like the size and weight of books and magazines. Neither is too precious to drop on the floor, accidently leave at someone’s house, or drop in a bathtub. I worry a little bit about the fragility of an Ipad and the forced experience that creates. Reading on a screen comes scarily close to “work.” There’s something nice about leisurely reading a book in the park. But there’s something depressing about stretching out on a sunny day with a screen in front of you.
Moreover, I’ve just started reading to my son and I cannot imagine us curling up on the couch with an ipad. I’d be freaking out about his grubby hands all over my $600 piece of equipment. Knowing that he will be permanently gluing his eyes to a screen in a few years, it’s nice to spend time with him away from that inevitable technology shift. (Plus, can you really endorse chewing the corner of an Ipad?)
Nevertheless, I can see where an ipad would be great—i have way too many books in my house and not enough places to store them. I’ve also read some pretty bad airport novels that I think would be perfect on an ipad. (An ipad seems perfectly suited for airplane travel, books, movies, music, email all in one device without the clunky nature of a laptop…) I think it would promote me to be a little more experimental in my purchases because I wouldn’t be so swayed by the brick and mortar shopping experience (which I love by the way).
So the next year will be an interesting one for publishing. In the meantime, I’ll still teach InDesign and Photoshop. I’m banking on the idea that if you know the basics, it can’t be too hard to adapt our printed friend to an e-reader format, right?