Physical businesses that fall on hard times often leave signs in the built environment, like the distinctive facades of deserted or adapted Pizza Huts, but what might social media sites look like in a post-apocalyptic, non-digital world?

For that matter, many giants, from Yahoo! to MySpace, have already crumbled and been replaced. But in this series, graphic artist Andrei Lacatusu imagines the still-strong and thriving leaders of the pack in a future state of IRL disrepair.

Like abandoned offices, retail stores, gas stations or movie theaters, signs for Google, Instagram, Facebook, Tinder, Twitter and Pinterest are seen withered, cracked and eroded by the elements over time. 404 Error: Business Not Found.

The result looks like gloomy snapshots of a ghost town with boarded-up storefronts and rusted-out metal security doors. And the details are quite convincing, with faded paint, chipped light-up signs and missing signage lettering.

This photo-realistic ‘Social Decay’ series was created with a combination of Adobe Photoshop and 3D rendering programs, Autodesk 3DS Max and V-Ray.

Move over, Facebook. A hybrid celebration of the written word, printed page, physical sculpture and possibilities of cutting-edge technologies, these conceptual creations breath new life into old volumes.

Featured in full three-dimensional form, with internal text conforming to exterior shape, are Anne Frank, Vincent van Gosh, Louis van Gaal and Kader Abdolah, designed to promote regional literature in the Netherlands.

Each page is only a little different from the last, but as those changes propagate, a shape is revealed – while only concepts illustrated to celebrate reading, one has to wonder what it would be like to pick one up and flip through the pages.

From Van Wanten Etcetera in Amsterdam (with artwork by Souverein): “Each year CPNB (Collective Promotion [of] Dutch Literature) organizzes the Dutch Book Week to promote Dutch literature. And every year a specific genre is being profiled. This year the (auto) biography is featured. This is translated in the theme ‘Geschreven Portretten’, which translates in ‘Written Portraits’. “

When Facebook added its timeline cover image, it was likely the first time users didn’t revolt against a Facebook change; it gave the flexibility to truly customize one’s profile page and a lot of creative folks have taken full advantage of that opportunity.

(Images via epiclol, geekscrunch, nonexiste)

Nothing adds a little energy to a profile like a bit of danger. With clever manipulation and Photoshop work, the small box that usually houses a person’s face can become an epic life or death struggle. Whether it’s running from a lurching Tyrannosaurus Rex, battling a giant clone, or fighting off a terrifying dragon… these profile owners can rest assured they have risen in the esteem of their friends if only because they have portrayed themselves in such an awesome light.

(Images via techeblog, facebook-cover-profile)

Classic videogames are the door to the geek soul, so it’s fitting that the more creative ones have put together excellent homages to their old school favorites. Dan has entered Streets of Rage as a streetwise brawler, while David has settled on an all time favorite: Super Mario Bros. Power up!

(Images via bestwebhostsanddomains, best-ever-facebook-timeline)

There is something very meta about a timeline cover photo in which the profile owner is pouring something on their own head, and while the subject matter is a bit odd, it’s definitely executed well in the above examples.

(Images via baconwrappedmedia, scotgat, xploringminds)

There are several ways to react to cover photos that show surveillance equipment narrowing down on the profile owner’s face: They can be seen as a comment on social media and the death of privacy, or they can be a tech-minded individual showing off their love for technology in a creative way. The top images are great examples of the zoom / enhance overwhelming surveillance found in spy thrillers. The bottom example is just plain fun, and likely the most epic use of a “man at a desk” thumbnail ever created.

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It’s true… animals attack. In these creative examples this is especially true. It would be interesting to know which way most people would rather go; smushed by a giant crab claw, or consumed by a giant shark? Can’t get enough of these? Check out more of the best, with 24 Poke-worthy Facebook Timeline Covers.

Facebook changes can often cause a landslide of creativity, as all the artsy types and tech-inclined push the limits. The new Facebook Timeline, with its new cover image, is the perfect playground for those who want to impress their friends.

(Images via mad4flash, technodesire, digitalwizdom, fbupdates)

Why not use the cover photo as a way to show off favorite personal images in a new and interesting way? Toss up some polaroids of the good old days, and they’ll be emphasized a whole lot more than they would be if they were tossed into a dusty album nested deeply inside your profile.

(Images via mameara, techomag, pixgateway, techomag)

It’s important to have fun when adjusting a profile. Eye-catching images and manipulated backgrounds can showcase new facets of one’s personality… and that’s the whole point of a profile, isn’t it?

(tweeting, pixgateway, reface)

The best Facebook Timeline cover photos step outside the box to display a quick scene or quirky setup for the rest of the page. Some careful planning and photo-editing software is all one needs to be the talk of the newsfeed.

(Images via mashable, v3im, dailylinked)

Use the integration of the cover image and your profile picture carefully. With the right tweaking, the cover image can replace the need for the profile photo, and become newsworthy in its own right.

(Images via hongkiat, mad4flash, techomag)

The huge area at the top of the Timeline is perfect to advertise one’s pet causes. This area can be the perfect space to share important ideas with friends and family.

(Images via redux, dailypics)

Art fans can put themselves directly into their favorite galleries, or slip their photo into some of the most famous masterpieces.

(Images via techomag, dailypics, openforum)

One of the easiest ways to customize a cover image is to add a profile picture like normal, and then overlay it over a humorous scene. Animal lovers will immediately see the benefits of this design.

(Images via dailypics, dailypics)

Nostalgic for old videogame favorites? Make everyone happy by adding an old school flair to the newest in social media tech.

It’s happening all around the world: people are taking pictures of their friends awkwardly lying face-down in all sorts of unlikely places. On top of statues, in the middle of roads, in front of famous landmarks – absolutely anywhere you can conceivably fit a horizontal human body, you’ll find someone playing the bizarre game. The weirder the place and the more people looking on, the better. You may ask why, but the people behind The Lying Down Game would rather ask “Why not?”

Lying Down Game creators Gary Clarkson and Christian Langdon describe their creation as “Parkour…for those who can’t be arsed.” In other words, this is the lazy person’s urban navigation sport. There’s no dangerous jumping or athletic climbing required; just the ability to lie down and stop moving for a moment along with the bravery to tolerate people staring at you as if you are crazy.

Feel brave enough to participate? The rules are simple, according to the creators: “1) The more public the better.  2) The more people involved the better. Please be aware that the palms of your hands must be flat against your side and the tips of your toes pointing at the ground. Just as if you were standing, but vertically challenged. FACE DOWN!“

The game has been around as a Facebook group since 2006, but the meme really reached its peak in the summer of 2009. Mainstream media picked up on the story and the game was featured by news outlets around the world. After the attention, participation soared and the submitted pictures grew more and more outrageous. The game was at the center of a few controversies as people were caught lying down at work and in some rather unwise places, but lying down enthusiasts continued to play.

Aside from being a silly thing to do to amuse yourself, the Lying Down Game strikes us as a brilliant public art project. Seen separately, these photos suggest thousands of weird people all willing to do something a little crazy. But taken together, the photos of people all around the world lying face down in odd locations looks a lot like collective performance art. It helps that they all seem to be having fun while lying down.

The Facebook page for the group is still going strong after all this time, and it has now reached well over 100,000 members. Want to play? Be prepared for some stares and the occasional “Are you alright?” – and don’t forget to bring a friend with a camera to capture the ridiculous places you find to lie down in.