Astra House

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Designers

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Sparking a New Generation of Girls Who Love to Read

Key Words

Designers

Kayce Shin

SUMMARY

Literacy rates among girls are declining as phone use reaches an all-time high, bringing documented negative impacts on attention spans, confidence, and mental health. Reading shaped my own sense of identity and connection, and in a culture that demands so much of young women, access to books and stories matters more than ever. Through research, interviews, and cultural analysis, I found the issue isn’t interest but access to interventions that feel relevant, visual, and community-driven. My project reimagines how girls discover and engage with stories, aiming to spark a new generation of readers by meeting them where they already are.

challenge

My research revealed a gap between girls’ desire for connection and the outdated ways reading is presented to them. Stakeholders—girls, parents, educators, and publishers—struggle with formats that can’t compete with the visual, social nature of digital culture. The opportunity lies in leveraging what makes social media attractive, and reframing reading discovery to feel relevant, accessible, and community-driven, meeting girls in the spaces where they already spend their time.

Outcome

The project became Astra House — a creative house that co-creates high-quality, cinematic book trailers and experiences with girls, for girls. Astra House makes reading discovery visual, social, and culturally relevant and operates through three connected arms: a Studio that produces content, a Collective that builds community, and a Foundation that partners with public figures to expand access. Together, they directly address gaps in relevance, representation, and discovery—all united by the mission to spark a new generation of girls who love to read.