Editorial
What does 'editorial' even mean, you might ask? Great question.
I define my editorial work as anything occupying the sweet spot between journalism, design and innovation. Over the years, I've nurtured these hybrid projects at various companies — such as award-winning design lab SPACE10, where I worked as Editor and Copywriter.
Find a selection of my editorial work below.
Bedside Productions' CLASSROOM
CLASSROOM is a community-sourced site for knowledge sharing about sex work, kink, partying, harm reduction, and more. Created to empower and inform people who pursue pleasure, it includes articles, podcasts, and videos about everything from sex worker safety to aftercare.
I was part of the core team behind this project — concept developing, writing, and editing to bring CLASSROOM to life. CLASSROOM is created by Anne Sofie Steen Svendrup, Kate Lis, Signe Skovbye, Anne Katrine Raahede and Kir Siegumfeldt.
Beyond Borders
‘Beyond Borders' is a series of articles exploring how the world is changing from an inclusive perspective. With this series, SPACE10 aims to challenge perspectives on tackling global challenges, and invite cultural nuance and diversity into the conversation.
I created the series and wrote two articles for it. The first is a piece about accessibility and mobility as an antidote to apartheid-era planning in South Africa; the second is about the Indian landscape of urban mobility, and how it exacerbates gender inequality.
Future Food Today
Future Food Today is a collection of delicious and sustainable recipes from the SPACE10 Test Kitchen that help us eat better — for ourselves and the planet. Uniting technology, science, and food, this cookbook is a tangible vision for the sustainable kitchen of tomorrow.
I was the editor of Future Food Today. I wrote all content and worked closely with the design team to ensure our recipes are clear, tangible, and full of heart.
Photo by Kasper Kristoffersen.
The Digital in Architecture
'The Digital in Architecture' is a SPACE10 research report, written by architecture theorist Mollie Claypool. It consolidates the history of digital innovation within this discipline into 14 chapters. Spanning movements and seminal works, it's your one-stop-shop for diving into the interplay between the digital and architecture. The report also includes data visualisations created by renowned information designer Giorgia Lupi and her team at Pentagram.
I was the editor of the report, and worked closely with Pentagram on the data visualisations.
Photo by Anne-Sofie Rosenvinge.
Spaces on Wheels:
Exploring a Driverless Future
Spaces on Wheels is visual exploration of how fully autonomous vehicles could one day enable a more fulfilling everyday life. SPACE10 designed seven potential autonomous vehicles and launched an app where you can experience booking a Space on Wheels in Augmented Reality. Our team also published a research report that provides a deep dive into all things most relevant to self-driving cars — including challenges, opportunities, and examples of self-driving initiatives transforming urban environments today.
I wrote the research report and all the app copy.
Visualisation by foam Studio.
The Augmented Human
Written by Chris Stokel-Walker, the Augmented Human is a SPACE10 report that explores how technology began to merge with the body. It anticipates likely components of the next technological paradigm shift as we collectively wade into uncharted waters. The report imagines how computer interfaces could soon change; how augmented intelligence might transform technology; and how organisations and businesses are getting a foothold in this complex but opportunity-filled arena. Finally, it asks a simple question: where do we go from here?
I was the editor of this report.
Illustration by Marie Mohanna.
Can We Design Our Way Into Better Mental Health?
SPACE10 collaborated with architecture firm Spacon & X to redesign their headquarters in Copenhagen. By repurposing old materials, they achieved a space that could help cultivate community, encourage material sustainability — and foster better mental health.
I wrote an article about the surprising relationship between physical office design and mental health. I critique the open office plan, offer some solutions, and discuss how to cultivate safety and gender equality through design.
Photo by Nana Hagel.
Lecture Notes:
Vision
While at SPACE10, I conceptualised and wrote a series of articles about new technologies. One is about computer vision and the implications of machines that can understand the world around them. Here's an excerpt:
'Many industries actively benefit from developments in computer vision, but the same yet-to-be-answered questions linger around all of them. Will we develop systems for alleviating privacy concerns as computer vision develops — or will the speed of advancements in the field lead to ‘surveillance states’ and increasing eradication of individual agency? And is augmented reality, as one researcher puts it, ‘the death of reality’?'
Photo by Barkas.
adidas Originals x Girls Are Awesome
In 2017, Girls Are Awesome entered into a long-term partnership with adidas Originals — focusing on elevating creative women as well as their communities.
I was part of the core team conceptualising the concept, creating the content, unfolding the activations, and running the content plan.
Photo by Lili Casino.
ILLEGAL! Magazine
ILLEGAL! Magazine is a print publication that deals with culture and drugs — the positives and negatives of drug cultures across social classes, all over the world. It aims to challenge the War on Drugs and further an open and nuanced debate around drugs in society. It is sold by street minorities in cities in the UK, Denmark and the US, and all profits go to the vendor.
I was one of the three editors behind the English edition — developing the editorial direction and commissioning and editing content.
Polina Bachlakova
Writer, Editor and Activist
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