The allure of a virtual world – in which anyone could have magical powers and take risks without consequences – is evidenced by the fact that nearly 19 million people play video games in the UK alone. Canvas8 sat down with Dr. Andrew Kuo to understand why we actively escape into virtual worlds.

Video games that see players fight on the frontlines of WWII or ride atop a dragon have fuelled the industry’s huge success. But worlds apart is a genre that’s all about taking the time to appreciate doing nothing. What’s the appeal of slow gaming? And how can it support one’s mental wellbeing?

With mounting responsibilities and digital distractions, Gen Y are creating personal solitude spaces on their homes in search of some peace and quiet. What can these ‘man caves’ and ‘she sheds’ tell us about the demands of future homebuyers and home decor shoppers?

With the proliferation of audiobooks and e-readers, bookworms no longer need to make their way down to the public library. But despite younger generations’ excessive use of smartphones, research has found that US Gen Yers are the most likely to visit these locations.