What is a Network State?
I researched the subject by reading and watching everything the author had produced on the subject.
The Network State
in One Sentence
“A network state is a highly aligned online community with a capacity for collective action that crowdfunds territory around the world and eventually gains diplomatic recognition from pre-existing states.”
Propelling Question
How can we design a cover that visualizes such a bold and new idea?
A new kind
of blueprint.
The book is the guide to building a country online so immediately architectural blueprints provided me with a vast source of inspiration both aesthetically and philosophically.
Network Cloud
In the first concept, I explored showing a section view of the Earth with a network floating above.
Two Perspectives
I explored showing the Earth from two perspectives at once. The network on the left and terrain on the right.
Connected Layers
I showed the team a sketch of an assembly, or exploded view, of a network state.
Illustration
Designing the
three network states
Initially, I designed various illustrations to represent three network states. A space state, a crypto state, and a robot state.
Challenge
How do we create a succinct book cover that clearly communicates an unfamiliar concept?
Solution
I solved this by reducing the size of the Earth, simplifying the flags to points, and using only three familiar symbols to represent the network states.
Too Complex
Better
Society 1
Crypto State
The Bitcoin symbol's history, principles, and familiarity made it the best choice to represent the crypto state.
Society 2
Spiritual State
The Yin-Yang is an ancient concept and we chose to include it as a symbol of harmony and balance.
Society 3
