Stevensonscreen

Stevensonscreen is a term used in speculative design and fiction to describe a family of display technologies attributed to the fictional Stevenson Industries. The concept appears across various works of design fiction and media, serving as a device to examine how interfaces might evolve in response to concerns about privacy, energy efficiency, and human–machine interaction.

Origins and in-universe development are described differently across works, but Stevensonscreen is typically portrayed as a modular, adaptable platform rather than a single device. In these narratives, researchers emphasize low power consumption, high contrast for outdoor readability, wide viewing angles, and flexible form factors that can be embedded in clothing, furniture, or vehicle interiors. Privacy features, such as selectable viewing zones or embedded privacy optics, are often highlighted as core design goals.

Technology and features commonly attributed in the fiction include bendable or foldable substrates, ambient light sensing, and an integrated privacy or anti-snooping mode. Some versions are described as having an open, encrypted display pipeline and interoperability with various input methods, including touch and stylus. Within the fictional lineup, variants such as Stevensonscreen Core, Stevensonscreen Pro, and Stevensonscreen Studio appear, each targeting different use cases from consumer gadgets to professional installations.

Applications in the narratives span personal devices, home and automotive interiors, public signage, and artistic installations. The concept has influenced discussions about privacy-aware display design and sustainable energy use, prompting readers and designers to consider how future screens might balance visibility, power, and user control. Reception within design fiction ranges from praise for its provocative ideas to critique of its practical feasibility.