The sustained use of digital devices has resulted in changes in how humans read and perceive information. Immediate and abundant data through websites and social media platforms have transformed human reading habits, prompting individuals to selectively accept seemingly important information and skip the rest to obtain target information quickly. Consequently, skimming and scanning have become a dominant method of information consumption. In this regard, ‘Ways of Reading’ examined two inquiries regarding how design can deal with skim reading and contribute to fostering ‘deep reading’ in the digital environment.

The first project, ‘Ways of Reading: Interrupting Skimming Information’, focused on enabling ‘deep reading’ in digital environments that typically encourage skimming. Recent studies suggest that the conventional reading approach of consuming content slowly and sequentially enhances comprehension and critical thinking. In line with this idea, the series of web experiments translates the traditional mode of sequential reading into a web environment by preventing users from skimming content and providing a slower, linear process of reading. Common digital behaviours such as hovering, dragging, and clicking, known as obstacles to the reading process, can actually help provide ‘deep reading’ experiences to an audience. By engaging in these web experiments, digital readers are compelled to read text sequentially, prompting them to memorise sentences and consider contextual connections. This approach encourages readers to reflect on the value of slow reading, ultimately engaging in ‘deep reading’ practices.