The New Ecology of Things (NET) is a research initiative that explores emerging forms of interactive communication brought about by pervasive networked technologies. The project began as a studio class run by the Art Center’s graduate Media Design program, co-taught by Bruce Sterling, Phil van Allen and Nik Hafermaas and sponsored by Sun Microsystems Labs. It has since evolved into a transmedia publication, an ongoing series of projects, technological inventions and new issues for design pedagogy.

The New Ecology of Things transmedia publication embraces and embodies NET connectivity by speaking across multiple media forms. The NET publication includes essays, a glossary, forums, interactive works and videos. Writing from Bruce Sterling, Brenda Laurel, Phil van Allen, Anne Burdick, Holly Willis and Nik Hafermaas joins NET projects designed by Art Center students, friends and faculty.

Each of the four media components —book, dust jacket/poster, website (newecologyofthings.net) and mobile content—relates to the others: place the book on the poster to see additional imagery; point your mobile camera-phone at barcodes on the poster and watch videos; browse URLs in the book and move to a dialog online.

Successfully introduces the book to technology in a single form.