3 Prototypes

MEA Digital, a marketing agency based in San Diego, contacted me to build an edition of slipcases to house some promotional materials that they were planning on sending out. Since the 3 pieces, 2 books and a CD case, were all different sizes, a simple slipcase wasn't going to fit the bill.

A three paneled presentation folder seemed to be a more practical solution. On the center panel, there is a thin pocket that the back cover of the large horizontal book slips into. It is the primary focus when the folder is opened. To the left is a similar pocket that will hold a smaller book and to the far right is a solid panel that the cardstock CD case will be adhered to. The right panel overlaps and attaches to the left panel via hidden Rare Earth NdFeB magnets. This design was a big hit so now it's about color. I made 3 prototypes, red outside with grey interior, red outside with black interior and finally an all black folder. The embossed "m" logo entered the picture on the final all black folder and really adds a great touch in my opinion.

Check back to see the progress of this project and to find out more about MEA Digital you can visit their site at www.meadigital.com

Walnut Plywood Portfolio

Woodworking in the studio:

This wooden portfolio was built last week for a Los Angeles graphic designer, Tracie Fong. She chose to go with a sturdy walnut plywood cover and wanted a dark brown stain to contrast the aluminum screw posts and matte silver foil stamp of her name. This portfolio is simple for her to assemble as she can change out the interior pages with a quick twist of 3 screws. She wanted to include a CD with her presentation so I created a pocket that is centered on the inside front cover that perfectly and securely houses the disc. The entire inside of the portfolio is finished in a chocolate brown linen bookcloth.

Since Tracie plans to fill her portfolio with her own printed pages, I included a template for her to use a guide for printing, trimming and hole punching to ensure perfect alignment with the covers.

Tracie's work can be seen at www.tfdesigns.com

Meet Some of My Tools

My first day on the blog:

With this blog I plan to create a place where my clients, potential clients, bookbinding enthusiasts, artist, designers and all other interested folks, can follow the daily goings on at my studio. I will document some of the most interesting custom boxmaking, bookbinding and presentation projects that come before me. Before I get into the details of these projects, I thought it necessary to introduce a few of my tools.....I could make almost nothing without them.

At the top left is a WireMac 31 which is a wire binding machine. I barely use this but it's great to have around for a quick bind. Next is a Ridgid table saw that I use for cutting plywood for custom wooden portfolios. At the top right is a Kwikprint 55. I use this daily for embossing and foil stamping, a great way to further customize portfolios and presentation pieces. Another work horse of the shop is the Kutrimmer 1071 at the bottom left. This cuts my bookboard and after many solid years of use, it is still making straight sharp cuts. At the bottom center are the tools that no bookbinder can do without and the ones that I am most attached to. Not shown in this "basics" group, (because it shouldn't be in pictures) is my glue brush which is a 75 cent ace hardware brush that I have used daily for 5 years. I dread the day when I have to retire this brush. The dried glue on the handle is formed perfectly to my hand. Finally at the bottom right is the Dahle Guillotine cutter, a necessity for for creating flush edged journals, albums an sketchbooks in a pinch.

More photos of the studio will come but for now the projects will take center stage.

Welcome to my blog....I hope you'll check back regularly to see what's new at Kristin Dunn bookbinding and design. I hope you will also visit my website at www.kdbooks.com