Project Statement
For this project, we had to design a sketchbook personal to us. While designing my sketchbook, my main focus was not only on functionality, but also something that I would bring me joy to look at. I incorporated bright colors, and important aspects of my life (bike, Bible verse in Roman numerals). The final outcome uses recycled cardboard, thread, and a variety of paper, which directly reflects aspects of my personality in a way that is both sentimental and practical. It also includes a laser-cut image of my bike because of the memories and sentimentality attached to it.
Process
View full project process at Sketchbook: Process
Reflection
At first, this project was very intimidating. I had never made something as complex as a literal book, and I had to take into account what materials would work best with the outcome I was wanting to achieve. I faced issues with the spiral binding and making the holes too small. However, from those mistakes I was pushed to research and find a binding technique that not only held my book together but also added to the overall aesthetic. Another challenge I faced was finding a material that would work best for the cover. I wanted to use a thicker material like chipboard, but I did not want to buy materials for sustainability purposes, so I tore apart an old binder and used the cardboard from inside.