Sarah Fedigan

Abstract

As the digital world is becoming more and more a part of people's daily lives, the publishing industry has begun to evolve. The traditional print codex form of the book has been challenged by new technologies that have brought traditional books into the digital world--e-books. Reading has become evermore digital. Many of the current technologies for e-reading, whether it is the devices or the applications, are lacking navigation tools which limit the reader's experience in comparison to reading a printed book. The goal of this thesis project was to design an application for reading e-books, to be used on tablet devices such as the iPad, focusing on solving the issues of user wayfinding and orientation for readers of all ages. To solve the problems of user wayfinding and orientation in e-reading applications research was focused on typography, book design, digital publishing and e-books, e-reading devices, and application design. All aspects related to books, both traditional and digital, as well as application design and user navigation were taken into consideration in order to come up with the most effective solution possible. A survey about e-reading applications was conducted to find out what readers would want when using an e-reading application. The project entailed three phases-graphic design, interactive design, and website design. A two column layout was developed to help users better understand what they were viewing as they navigated through the demonstration. The left column provides a project description and guides users through each section of the project. The project was broken down into four main sections-iPad, iRead, Library, and Book. The right column is a demonstration of the iRead application prototype where users can click on all icons, menus, and options to test how the application would work. I have designed iRead, a prototype for an e-reading application for the iPad. User testing proved the application prototype to be successful. The iRead application allows readers to navigate through an e-book in a manner that is parallel to that of reading a printed book.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

iPad (Computer)--Programming; Electronic book readers--Programming; Application software--Development; Electronic books

Publication Date

5-20-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CIAS)

Advisor

Jackson, Chris

Advisor/Committee Member

Pankow, David

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: QA76.8.I863 F43 2011

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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