On Jonathan Kaczynski CV, the Piccadilly line has been transformed into ‘Education ‘ a timeline reflecting his progress throughout education and the ‘Circle line’ shows off his extra curricular activities, wheres as the longer ‘District line’ demonstrates his computer skills.

However, each line on Kevin Wang’s ‘tube map CV’ reflects places he has worked instead of different categories like Kaczynski’s. It doesn’t matter which way this format is set up, I’m a fan either way! Just how the purpose of a tube map is to figure out how to get you to places, one destination to another, this format for a CV I feel may reflect the same purpose – moving from one job to another, trying to gain more and better skills to get yourself to that next destination – a higher paid job or to become more qualified . An interesting concept, one which I may use myself in the future.

D.Currier’s article I found on ‘A Portfolio Book for the 21st Century’ talks about something which I have not seen before and is a concept binding the online world and ‘real life’ together perfectly! Sean Busher created a portfolio where an iPad has been embedded into the actual portfolio itself, which not only sounds weird and wonderful but looks great too!

Busher has not only embedded an iPad into this rectangular box, but he also created an app showing only his work and the app is the only item on the iPad. I think the motion on the iPad along with the imagery in the portfolio book compliment each other really well and brings his work to life. As the article mentions, this is a fantastic way for artists who are showcasing their work which include both still work and motion. I also love the colour – the bright zingy orange in contrast to the black works well! Along with its ability to also be shipped due to the structure of the box, this really is ‘a portfolio book for the 21st century.’

Jesse Rieser has also used this concept of bringing print and digital together through the use of an iPad and a portfolio book. What I like about Rieser’s portfolio, apart from the iPad, is the colour scheme applied to different categories of his work, which continues on his website too. The pocket inside the portfolio book which securely hold his business cards is a nifty little touch too!

I’m glad I’ve finally found a portfolio which has the best of both worlds, print and digital, a concept which will definitely make portfolios more interactive and creative.

It is now a year since we launched the short run printing service so now seemed like a good time to reflect on what people in different areas have been using the printing service for. In this post we reflect on its use in two projects connected to the British Museum.

Julie Anderson, the Assistant Keeper of Egyptian and Sudanese Antiquities at the British Museum used Bookleteer to create 1000 books in Arabic and English about the 10 year Sudan excavation to share the findings with the local community in Sudan.

Following the distribution of the book, teenagers began coming to our door in the village to ask questions about the site / archaeology / their own Sudanese history… connecting with their history as made possible through the booklet. It was astonishing. More surprising was the reaction people had upon receiving a copy. In virtually every single case, they engaged with the Book immediately and began to read it or look through it….The Book has served not only as an educational tool, but has empowered the local community and created a sense of pride and proprietary ownership of the ruins and their history.

Bookleteer was used in the Melanesia Project to record, Porer and Pinbin, indigenous people from Papua New Guinea discussing objects in the British Museum collection. Bookleteer was used first to create simple notebooks that were printed out on an office printer and handmade. Anthropologist James Leach used them to note the discussion in both English and Tok Pisin, next to glued in polaroid images, to produce a record that involved;

capturing the moment of what we were doing and what we were seeing.

Once filled in, the notebooks were scanned and professionally printed to share with the local community in Papua New Guinea (who have a subsistence lifestyle without electricity).

“[…] As something to give people, they’re an extremely nice thing. People are very keen. I also took some to an anthropology conference before I went [to Papua New Guinea] and would show them to people and they’d immediately say “Oh, is that for me?” People kind of like them. They’re nice little objects.”

Researcher and community education worker Gillian Cowell has used the books as part of a community project with Greenhill Historical Scoiety:

“I think, for community work, it’s really important that you engage in much more unique and creative and interesting ways as a way of trying to spur some kind of interest and excitement in community work […] The books are such a lovely way for that to actually fit with that kind of notion.”

Bookleteer is an online service to help you create and publish booklets and StoryCubes. It’s simple, quick and free – print and make them in minutes using only a pair of scissors, or share them online, anywhere there is an internet connection, computer and standard inkjet or laser printer.

If you are interested in finding out about how you could use Bookleteer, come along to one of our Pitch Up & Publish Workshops or Get Bookleteering sessions this summer.

Once clicked on your desired interest, there is a wonderful large picture frame hanging from the bookshelf which displays an example of the work as you click through the list beside on the left hand side of the frame.

I like the way this has been designed. Everything is on one page, without being taken away to another page once clicked. Each graphic makes me curious, leading to me wanting to click and find out more. I think this concept works and is a fun, adventurous and creative portfolio.

Firstly I was taken back by the building itself – the dark, old, worn out exterior didn’t reflect the inside. Even though I was also surprised by the interior, the decor behind the exhibition itself, I was very inspired by what I saw and knew I was in the midst of something quite special, especially being in the same space which elevated Alexander McQueen and the likes of Stella McCartney, Zac Posen, Paul Smith and Hamish Bowles – editor at large at Vogue (wow!!!). Knowing this was where such influential people in fashion studied, created such fantastic pieces and walked the same corridors, touched me in a very special way.

As I wondered around the different rooms of fashion filled creative-ness, I was in awe of not only of the clothes made but also student’s portfolios, filled with drawings and sketches and images of pieces that had been made. Each portfolio was different to the next, not just in content but in the way they were presented. Most were the usual look book formats. However some were A3 size, some smaller, some portrait, some landscape. Some were made from different materials. One portfolio which stood and seem dominant over the others was the one made from metal – quite harsh and edgy.

I enjoyed flicking through the portfolios. I was fascinated by the ideas, from initial sketches and drawings to photographs of completed pieces. I can only imagine the hectic process this must have been. Looking at the empty studios as I wandered from one room to the next reflected this, with mannequins scattered around, strands of material on the tables and floor  – a last minute rush of madness it seemed. This was in stark contrast to the exhibition rooms where strange yet beautiful pieces of clothing hung from the ceiling, quite peacefully, wanting to be adorned by exhibitors, portfolios scattered around the sides of the rooms, as well as students themselves, finally getting a chance to relax and enjoy their work. This compared to maybe a few weeks ago, where the environment would have probably been very different!

I left not only feeling inspired but mesmerised by what I saw and the highly fuelled creative atmosphere I had left, back into the normality of the ‘real world.’

Willmon combined his trade of web designing with his love for comics and goes on to talk about the reason behind this design of the portfolio/website was on purpose to make people feel more relaxed, compared to the usual computer tech savvy designs. Therefore to get the comic effect Willmon loved so much he actually hand drew every page of the portfolio / website and scanned them in!

The front page is very different and unique, with various illustrations scattered across the page of work he has done. It makes me want to click on all the different illustrations and see where it will take me. I particularly like ‘I made a paper toy download and print’ and ‘I designed a fancy Doctor Who set check it out’ illustration. As you scroll across each illustration, it transforms from a pencil like grey to a pop of colour bringing the image to life.

However the front page was only the beginning of all the magical illustrations that were yet to be discovered. Once I clicked on the ‘new illustrations check them out’ drawing, I was (gladly) drawn to the text ‘Wild Animals, Dressed as Farm Animals’ and clicked onto it straight away. To my amusement I came across a whole bunch of hilarious drawings of, what simply was’ wild animals, dressed as farm animals.’ My favourites are the ‘pigorilla’ the ‘snorse’ and the ‘bunnligator.’ Bizarre yet hilarious. Take a look here and see what delightful distorted animal is your favourite!

Pitch up & Publish
One day workshops to create and publish booklets and StoryCubes using bookleteer: guiding you from concept to publication and beyond, bring a particular project you want to undertake, or come for an introduction and to experiment. The day will be tailored to your needs so you can bring a particular project you want to undertake, specific questions you want to address, or come for an introduction and to experiment. For new to experienced users, all are welcome. Book tickets on Eventbrite for these dates – 12 July, 13 Sept, £50 / £40 (early bird). Max 10 places per workshop.

Get Bookleteering!
Come along to one of our ‘Get Bookleteering’ 2 hour surgery sessions ranging from beginners to advanced, to answer your questions about specific projects as well as introduce new users to Bookleteer. Book places on Eventbrite for these dates – 28 June , 26 July,  £20 / £10 (Concessions). Max 6 places per session.

Both event prices include (complimentary Alpha Club membership, 5% discount off your first Short Run Printing order, free pack StoryCubes).

Bookleteer is an online service to help you create and publish booklets and StoryCubes. It’s simple, quick and free – print and make them in minutes using only a pair of scissors, or share them online, anywhere there is an internet connection, computer and standard inkjet or laser printer. Make field notebooks, workbooks, gifts, private journals and folios, or just test your design idea’s before using our short run printing service to print your book professionally in small or large quantities. Unlike other publishing platforms, Bookleteer enables quick and easy modification, as findings may change, mistakes made. It allows you use only the handmade versions or experiment with them before professionally printing. The opportunity to create is endless.

People who have been using bookleteer:
Bookleer has been used by organisations including The British Museum, University of Aberdeen, Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination, Axis Architects, The Empty Shops Network, Arts group Dodolab, and many others. These organisations have used Bookleteer in projects including outreach, architecture, community, consultation, literature, archeology, visual art, interpretation and exhibitions.

We look forward to seeing you!

I like the idea of bringing a portfolio to life this way, and with the addition of music, it’s really different to other portfolios I have come across. However I feel the only downside is that it’s not tangible. Even though someone can watch it with ease and experience something different, I don’t think it’s the same as having something in person.

Take a look here. There are numerous examples of what people have created. I enjoyed watching the Wes Kendel Reel 2009 showreel.

Wilson created ‘An Interactive Hand Made Package‘ known as the ‘Soap Box.’ I think his idea here is genius. Firstly, I like the fact that it’s handmade using recycled cardboard and wood. Not only was the box handmade but he also hand bound and stitched the portfolio too! For the printed materials he used the old printing method known as Letterpress. This method of printing, whereby a raised surface is inked and then pressed onto a sheet of paper, was invented in the 15th century and was the traditional form of printing right up until the 19th century. This printing process was widely used for books up until the mid 20th century.

The idea of the Soap Box was to create an item which the recipient could actually be apart of and the way Wilson did that was by recording his voice inside the Box, as the portfolio.

I think this is a perfect example of how, even though technology has expanded immensely since the 15th century , you can still stick to the basics and create a fantastic and unique portfolio, compared to if your were to print or create it online.

Over the weeks I will spend some time looking out for any nifty and unusual ways of presenting look books, portfolio’s and even CV’s in areas from fashion and photography to illustration and interior design.

Be sure to come back to read up on the exciting things I find – ‘I’m bringing some style to publishing.’

Just like Bookleteer, this is another great way to make something and personalise it, then have them printed and can also be kept as a keepsake, just like eBooks and StoryCubes.

There’s all sorts of diaries available on the market, however a diary is a personal thing and Bookleteer can most defiantly relate to this. Bookleteer allows customisation, meaning a diary can personalised. There’s the freedom to have as many pages and whichever days wanted and put whatever they like into the diary. Additionally making the diary by hand will make it feel more ‘their own’ and special.

Take a look at the example I created below of a front page and the inside.

Encourage your younger relatives to get on Bookleteer to unleash their creativity! A great activity to do over Easter and Summer!

I have stuck to the scrapbook idea, which Bookleteer can be used for, over and over again for many different purposes. I like the idea of having a handy guidebook, as it is small enough to fit into a pocket or handbag and can be easily transported anywhere you like. You can even print out more copies from Bookleteer for your friends and family.

Take a look at the mock up of my ‘Yoga Guide’ below.

Each page shows two different yoga poses, beautifully drawn by Mandy (thanks Mandy!) and the name of each pose. Additionally I drew the ‘om’ sign, the Hindu symbol, and is frequently chanted when doing yoga, to create a sense of inner peace and tranquility.

Create your own version on Bookleteer!

There are a variety of things I decided to include in my camping guide. For example:

• how to build a tent.

• a survival kit/checklist – compass, plasters, tents, sleeping bags, a whistle, a torch and so on.

• a map of the area

Alternatively, you can add to the guide and turn it into a scrapbook too, so for children not only is it an informative book, but also a keepsake or memento if you like of their camping trip. For example in my scrapbook I included:

• blank pages for a treasure hunt map – for kids on camping trips it could be a fun idea to draw treasure hunt maps in each others books and have a competition to see who can find the most ‘treasure.’

• ‘My Journal’ section to write about my daily (and nightly) happenings.

• activity pages – ‘starry eyed’ – search the sky for constellations – draw and match up the stars in the sky, or ‘night time sounds’ – listen, write and guess what your hear in the woods!

• Keepsake pages – ‘things I found on my camping trip’ – collecting and sticking in things found, such as different types of leaves, funny shaped twigs etc.

Have a look at the ‘Guide to Camping for Kids’ book I have created…

This is a format which can be replicated for a number of activities, such as Sailing, Skiing, Golf, Poker, Surfing and the list goes on!

A number of ideas prop to mind when I think of using Bookleteer in education. The part I like most is that it’s not restricted to one age bracket. From younger children to older kids in secondary school an eBook can be used in many ways.

For example, for the younger age group, I have created an alphabet book. This can be customised to the child’s preference, such as using their favourite cartoon characters on each page as a visual stimulant. Of course this is where the older brother or sister or parent come in use, to actually create the book on Bookleteer. Or a blank eBook can be printed and with the guidance of parents, children can help draw and stick each letter onto each page, a fun learning activity all rolled into one!

As for the older kids, Bookleteer can be used as an alternative way of presenting coursework, projects, art projects or even as a revision tool or a diary format to keep track of their revision timetable/schedule.

Using Mandy’s artistic ability, I made a mock up of what the alphabet eBook could look like if it was made.

Log onto Bookleteer to see where it can take you…

It’s great to use Bookleteer as a tool for making scrapbooks for example making a make up catalogue if you like, or even to create your own make up tips. Have a look at the eBook I created on ‘eye make up tips’ below.

It’s quick and easy to print out, and small enough to keep with your make up or can even be folded to fit into your make up bag.

Either design, upload and print your scrapbook out on Bookleteer or print out a plain eBook and start cutting, sticking and creating your own make up tips scrapbook.

I constantly ask what hands are what; ‘what’s a flush?’ ‘what’s a full house?’ and the list goes on. I think I could be an annoying poker player with all my questions and confusion. Leave it to the pros…I think not!

I always think if I had a book with all the poker plays listed and the rules, it would be great! Easy to refer to in a time of need. No cheating, simply a reference!

Creating this type of book is so simple using Bookleteer. Being able to download images straight from a website, it’s quick and easy to create this book for your own personal use. Each page can be assigned to each type of poker, or a book for each type – Texas Holdem, 5 card draw, 7 card stud etc.

Take a look at a quick glimpse of my book I have created…

Easy and fun to make, with your own personal touch, so you can make it as complicated or as easy to understand as you want.

As I watched her I realised how much more she could do with her invitations by creating them on Bookleteer! A more creative way to make an invitation. You can insert pictures, maybe one of the birthday girl/boy on the front or have different coloured invites by using different coloured printing paper!

I find this method fast and easy and I think it looks more professional than the conventional booklet making. Being able to upload your own pictures or even straight from html saves the hassle of downloading or saving a picture first!

This can be used for endless occasions, not just birthday parties, which then means anyone from kids to adults can be using this method to make invitations. Weddings, baby showers, hen parties..the list is endless.

Have a look at the mock up birthday invitation I have created.

Get creative, get Bookleteering!

I now understand the need for recipe books! Not the ones already filled with scrumptious dishes by our favourite chefs, but ones that are empty – so I have my own place to write down all my delicious creations.

Customising my own version on Bookleteer allows me to personalise my own recipe book in different ways including number of pages and size. So if it’s a mini pocket size book you prefer or a larger book, you can customise and personalise on Bookleteer, something which I can’t do if I go to buy one in Paperchase or Smiths.

It’s easy to edit and change things on Bookleteer too. Maybe a variation on a recipe – ingredients or amounts…so instead of re – writing the recipe or scribbling things out, easily edit it on Bookleteer!

A great use for all ages – children can get creative with weird and wacky recipe ideas, maybe on Halloween. Uni students can scribble down recipes, instead of boiling some water and plopping in some supernoodles!

The recipe book can be adapted for all sorts – you could have a themed book for each cuisine, your favourite recipes, even a cocktail recipe book! A cocktail recipe book is always handy! I have been in situations, where we all come up with the fun idea to make cocktails, but is too much hassle to go find a recipe on the internet.

An easy way to compile a list of variety of recipes for all types of food and drink and for all ages!

Take a look at the example of my ‘Cocktail Concoctions’ book…

Happy recipe making!

Creating a book on Bookleteer is a great way of doing this. Using the book to record weekly weight loss and keep hold of vital statistics such as original weight, height, measurements etc.

Additionally I tend to ask for advice on the types of food I should be eating. It would be great to have a section in your own ‘health planner’ about what sorts of foods can be eaten and how much and even recipes that contain these foods. An easy way to remember and handy enough to keep with you, so whenever you spot that ‘powerfood’ on the supermarket shelf, just jot it down in your food planner, so you don’t forget for next time.

Take a look at my examples of a health planner I created…

This would be a great way to stay healthy, amongst all age groups! A fun and active way for kids to stay fit and healthy and keeping a record of their activities can be something fun for them to do on a weekly basis.

It’s easy to create your very own health planner with Bookleteer. Get creative and healthy at the same time!