The project objectives for this project are three fold: 1) Encourage the slowing down of consumption through an arts-based education in bookmaking and offer alternative solutions to regular book publishing. 2) Introduce an education-based solution in the form of a children’s storybook to introduce and invite children ages 4-10 to begin thinking about sustainability solutions and environmental issues. 3) Introduce different methods of conceptualizing “the book” (aside from its paper form) through the creation and use of an online format to showcase the work I have produced throughout the whole of the project season, disseminate information with regards to sustainable publishing, and document progress to date.

“[The night sky through the perspective of a camera] This is what the night sky looked like 100 years ago. This is what the night sky looked like 30 years ago. This is what the night sky looks like today. Look, there are no stars. Look! There! Those two lights! They look very pretty–surely those are stars twinkling in the distance— but those aren’t stars, they’re satellites. Or, if they’re blinking, it’s an airplane. [image of a satellite in the sky] … A long time ago, in a Korean village off the province of South Gyeongsang, people used paper lanterns to see at night. And every night the people made sure to turn off their lanterns, or else their house might catch on fire. [image of a burning paper lantern alongside someone reading] The village was known for its beautiful landscapes, and many people would visit to go hiking. But, what most people did not know, was that the village was home to creatures called the Myōjā. They had long, hollow eyes. They were as tall as red pine trees. They ate white moths and loved to play games with the village children. They went to sleep at night, and woke up with the morning sun, the same as the village people. They helped pick up trash left by the visiting hikers, and they lifted away heavy trees and rocks which fell by the wayside.”

I believe in the importance of sustainability as it is a direct response to the ways in which we have been living our lives, and poses a direct impact on how we envision our future. By researching the bookmaking process I have grown an immense amount of respect for the long-standing history of curation and craftsmanship the book concerns. From learning to appreciate the slowing down of consumption with aspects of bookmaking, exploring sustainable book production through a salt water based paper production system, and writing a story about sustainability, the goal of my project is to mobilize a new generation of young people to begin thinking about their relationship with the natural world and help become a part of the solution.

I would like to thank the USC Center for Sustainability Solutions for selecting and funding this project proposal for the Fall 2022-Spring 2023 school year. Namely Professor Mahta Moghaddam, Professor Detlof von Winterfeldt, and Ms. Jennifer Sosenko. I would also like to thank my University of Southern California faculty advisors, Professor Brighde Mullins and Professor Thomas Mueller, for their expertise and knowledge in the fields of literary editing and publishing and visual arts respectively. Without them I truly would have been at a loss for guidance and courage. I would lastly like to thank USC computer science major Jacob Jun for his creation of this website page. For his knowledge, kindness, and expertise in this field of study.