Idea for Final Project

The theme of the project would be ‘The Cycle of Love’ – an anthology containing classic/published poetry and original writing. It will take the form of an accordion fold book, as it implies the sense of cycle in itself. To further this cyclical idea, the project would have no cover, title page, endpapers, etc – the initial process of reading the book can take place on either side. The use of colour will be integral to the meaning of the project. One side of the “accordion” will have coloured card that goes from white to dark red, whereas the other side will go from black to light burgundy.

Side going through the initial stages of a relationship

Side going through the death of the relationship moving to self love/acceptance

On top of each square of different coloured card, there will be poetry relevant to each stage printed on transparent paper secured on top of it, so that the thematic colour can be seen. Each “page” will be A7 in size, making production relatively simple.

Manifesto Against the Culture of Instant Gratification

These days, you can have anything your heart desires through the simple act of pressing a button.

Want a new pair of headphones? Same-day delivery from Amazon.

Want a little pick-me-up for your self-esteem? Post to Instagram in a second and let the likes (aka mini endorphin rushes) come pouring in.

Want to find a new relationship? Match with someone on Tinder with a quick and simple swipe.

You can have anything within seconds.

We’re so used to this now. We’ve grown impatient.

If it’s not instantaneous, we’re bored. If it buffers, we leave. We find an alternative source of instant gratification.

There’s no feeling attached to our actions anymore, everything happens too fast and practically automated for us to register any emotion.

This has to stop.

We need to learn to fall in love with time again. There’s a greater pleasure in waiting patiently for the result of things. Letters instead of text messages. Going to a store instead of ordering online.

The more we fall into this habit of being instantly gratified, the less we take the time to actually interact with the world.

Slow down. Breathe. Take your time.

Review of a Small Press Publication

During our initial workshop in Week 1, we were able to peruse a selection of small press publications, from commercially produced works to other students’ handmade projects.

One publication in particular caught my eye: A Reading: Birds by Beverley Dahlen. This was a beautiful publication, with the cover bound in a light blue and white patterned cloth. The inside of the cloth cover contained a stitched repeated pattern of birds in black thread on white cloth. Matching white thread stitching was used to bind the book as a whole, creating a sense of fragility and naturalness to the product. The texture of the paper used was slightly rough and textured, giving a natural feel to the publication.

The font used in the book was rather dainty and formal, seeming to match the atmosphere surrounding the subject – birds. In addition, I thought it was extremely effective how blank space was used throughout the publication. There was a real sense that the words on the pages were mimicking the birds in the sky. Moreover, no two pages looked the same as blank space was used differently each time, creating a sense of constant change.

Overall, I thought it was incredible how so much meaning could be conveyed in the actual making of a publication aside from its actual content, which was so thoroughly and effectively demonstrated through Beverley Dahlen’s A Reading: Birds.