Mastering the Art of Levitation

How handmade documents help fictional worlds feel emotionally real

What makes an imaginary world believable? In storytelling, audiences often connect through surprisingly small physical details: a folded letter, a faded map, or a scribbled note left in a drawer. These seemingly ordinary objects can give fictional worlds both texture and history. In this talk, author and graphic prop designer Annie Atkins explores the role of handmade documents in storytelling, from period film props to the magic of children’s books. Drawing on her work designing for directors including Steven Spielberg and Wes Anderson, Annie examines how tactile design choices can make fictional worlds feel truly lived in. Through process insights and behind-the-scenes stories (as well as the odd mistake or two!) the session explores why audiences continue to respond so powerfully to handcrafted detail in an increasingly digital world.