Technology is an incredibly powerful force that shapes virtually every aspect of our lives, from transportation, to healthcare, to agriculture, to communication. In a website by accenture all about Technology Trends 2021, they identify five major technological trends that span across a variety of global industries.
Stack Strategically - They argue that companies will now be competing on their technology architecture and therefore, their technological and business strategies must be seamlessly integrated with one another.
Mirrored World - With more of the physical world represented in the digital space, companies can reimagine how they “operate, collaborate and innovate”.
I, Technologist - The democratization of technology means that it’s possible for every employee within a company to provide technology-driven solutions.
Anywhere, Everywhere - The global pandemic has shifted to a workforce of individuals who can work from anywhere, demanding that leaders create “Bring Your Own Environment” (BYOE) strategies that will redefine where work is done.
From Me to We - More seamless sharing of data, greater resiliency and adaptability are possible when multiparty systems work together.
Digital publishing trends fit right into these categories, including the incorporation of artificial intelligence and the remote nature of work for individuals on each side of the publishing equation. This is The Digital re:Publish Project.
Let’s hear from four more creative minds who will help us better understand what’s near, new and next in digital publishing. First, Tristan will explain whether or not the PDF has a prominent place in the future of digital publishing. Next, Mya discusses virtual education now and what it means for the future of education as a whole. Matthew walks us through what NFTs are, as well as why NFTs are all over the news. And finally, Jack will stretch our minds into imaging the future of digital publishing through the lens of AI.
Let’s do this, Tristan!
Tristan Fitkin discusses PDFs.
The AI-powered liquid mode is a promising and exciting new feature that takes into account mobile’s steady takeover of the way in which we interact with digitally published documents. Whether bigger is better or smaller mobile is better, It’s up to the individual user and their preferences and availability of devices. Either way it seems like the PDF has got you covered. Thank you Tristan.
Well the PDF standard plays a role in virtually every industry and they can have a significant impact In the virtual education space.
Mya Leggo discusses virtual education.
Accessible. Immersive. Realistic. It is my belief, and the belief of many others, that virtual education will not go away any time soon. Eight years ago I began my graduate degree at the University of Alberta. The only way that I was able to study in a different province while working full-time was through virtual education. The program was a hybrid model; each year’s cohort meeting in person and taking two classes for three weeks during the month of May. During the summer, fall and winter semesters I studied part-time exclusively in a virtual format. And then the whole thing repeated again in the month of May with classes for the summer, fall and winter months happening from a distance. While virtual classes looked a lot different eight years ago than they probably would today, when video conferencing software was nowhere near as advanced as it is today and collaboration and sharing tools that we rely on in 2021 weren’t a possibility. But, it still worked. I feel like I had a very strong educational experience within my masters degree studying from a distance. With a dramatic push to online learning beginning in 2020, this has only fuelled and sped up the advancement of technologies, educational strategies and willingness to consider the virtual classroom a widely accepted educational space. I believe that the future of virtual education looks something like my masters degree; a hybrid solution that encompasses the best of both worlds. A balance of human connection and flexibility. I think it’s safe to say those two elements are the bedrock of all successful educational strategies. I digress. Thank you Mya.
In a world where any digital file can technically be “minted” and then sold to the highest bidder, how do NFTs fit into the digital publishing landscape?
Matthew Soesito explains and contextualizes NFTs.
So much promise. So many unknowns. Such a huge impact on the environment. It will be really interesting to follow this trend and see how it shapes the virtual creation marketplace. Thank you, Matthew, for shedding light on the mysterious world of NFTs.
While the cryptocurrency of digital publishing is here now, what might the distant (or not so distant) future of digital publishing look like when it comes to artificial intelligence? How will AI affect any and all stakeholders in the publishing industry, for better or for worse?
Jack Benjamin describes the ways in which artificial intelligence is changing digital publishing.
It’s really incredible to think about all of the applications of AI possible within publishing organizations, big and small. From marketing initiatives, through to optimizing editorial content, including topics, formats and timing.
And while I want to believe that artificial intelligence is simply another tool in the tool kit of publishing houses, the relatively unknown and untapped power of AI gives reason for us as knowledge workers in the world of creativity, reason to be shaking in our boots... just a little. Thank you, Jack.
And thank you to all of our contributors to this episode, Tristan, May, Matthew and Jack for sharing your ideas. There are so many exciting possibilities surrounding what we can create, share and build with the world through connecting our digitally published works with one another.
That’s it! We’ve done it! Three new episodes containing 12 new ideas about digital publishing, spawned from the original mini-series. From the past to present, 50 years in the making, to what’s possible through leveraging technology, to what’s near, new and next in digital publishing, we’ve come a long way. Only time will tell where and how we’ll see the digital publishing landscape shift and evolve over time. Stay tuned…
Meet Our Team:
Tristan Fitkin is an Undergraduate student at Ryerson University. She is currently studying in the Graphic Communications Management program, and a piece of her work was recently showcased on LinkedIn.
Mya Leggo (She/Her) is a first-year Graphic Communications Management (GCM) student at Ryerson University. Her creative portfolio showcases work done in Adobe Creative Cloud as well as marketing projects.
Matthew Soesito is a first-year student at the School of Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University in Toronto. He currently works as a graphic designer while also maintaining a personal business, offering services in a variety of creative outlets, including photography and design.
Jack Benjamin is a first-year student at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. He is studying Graphic Communications Management. He enjoys spending his time honing his graphic design skills, learning about global cultures, spending time outdoors, and experiencing new things.
Music (public domain via freesound.org):
Kesta - Won’t Stop
Podington Bear - Sneaker Chase
Podington Bear - Saver
Kesta - Robot Waltz
Podington Bear - Quail and Robot Convo
Kesta - Won’t Stop
Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music:
Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle
Episode Cover Art: Canva