experience design

Artist Statement

Banned Book Finder by Octavia Zagorec and Genevieve Kopp is an augmented reality application that informs users of the banned titles located in their surroundings, alerting individuals to governmental attempts to restrict access to knowledge. When opened in a bookstore, or library, Banned Book Finder recognizes the covers of prohibited texts and generates a significant icon that appears directly above the face of a book. This large image contains a picture of the book’s cover next to a rectangular placard that details the date the story was first banned and the reasons the tale was questioned. If users want more information, they can click on the icon to be directed to an article that further explains the book’s controversial past.

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This project disrupts the traditional browsing experience by spotlighting attempts to restrict public knowledge. While most people living within the United States are aware of efforts to censor specific topics, some may not realize the full reach of governmental restriction. Banned Book Finder, therefore, highlights endeavors to control information and culture in a country where freedom of speech and creative expression are so valued. By creating noticeable markers that draw users’ attention to a significant collection of banned texts, this application promotes awareness of the unexpected pervasiveness of attempted censorship. Banned Book Finder invites individuals to reflect on the coexistence of intellectual freedom and systemic efforts to limit it, encouraging a more informed recognition of governmental control.

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The creation of this project was inspired by the creators’ love for reading, writing, and, most importantly, book browsing. In creating Banned Book Finder, we were hoping to support the voices of many talented authors who have been victimized by attempts to restrict their stories. Creators who are also members of marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by banned book laws, as 41 percent of restricted titles address LGBTQ+ themes or feature characters who identify as LGBTQ+. Further, 40 percent of banned books contain protagonists or secondary characters of color, while 21 percent of banned books directly address themes of race and racism (Suhrawardi). By calling attention to this censorship, we hope Banned Book Finder can facilitate the preservation of these authors’ narrative despite attempts to suppress them.