16. OCTOPOD STUDIOS
The latest geek thriller, The Cult of iPod, designed by Derek Yee, doesn’t miss a beat with a format that imitates the design of this highly coveted and increasingly iconic gadget. iPod enthusiasts will be in tune with the book’s sleek, rounded edges, metallic backing, and front cover featuring an image of a dial shaved into a man’s head. The back cover displays “160 pp” where the device would normally indicate the amount of memory, and as you shuffle through the colorful pages, a gradually decreasing battery insignia leads you to the end, begging to be recharged and restarted.

The front cover, which met initial opposition from Yee’s colleagues, successfully avoids generic iPod imagery, while referencing its predecessor, The Cult of Mac. Yee, founder of Octopod Studios, reflects, “I really wanted to stay away from anything that showed an actual iPod, that was silhouetted, or had white ear buds and wires. I didn’t want to sell the iPod. I wanted to sell the people that love their iPods. And I wanted to do it in a way that was pure.” Yee also admitted that he was new to the iPod scene. “I didn’t even know how to use an iPod until this book came along. But that’s my actual iPod in the chapter openers. I finally broke down and bought it when the deadline got closer.”

His new acquaintance with the device is astonishing, as he definitely impressed author Leander Kahney, who referred to Yee’s design as a “fine silken purse and an object of great beauty.” Kahney went on to say, “The book is full of delights. Readers will be thrilled to discover the love and commitment he brought to the book. It really is delightful.” Reassuring news for all of us behind on the newest electronic trends.
Zoe Weisman