Creative: The Morocco Book (s)

I’ve been home for less than a week and just cranked out my fourth test book. So far, there is the 7×7 layflat, the 108-page, 8×10, softcover, portfolio-style publication, a 6×9, softcover Trade Book, and a 11×13, 72-page minimal design, hardcover, dust jacket which I will strip off so I can stencil the cover. It had been nearly two years since I’d made any books of note. That’s the way it goes. I come back from “something” and think I’ll get right to the books, and then life gets in the way. I’ve made plenty of notebooks/journals in that time, don’t get me wrong.

I need new samples. And I’ve learned not to sweat things. I’m not making books to impress. I’m making books so others can follow the lead. It’s my job. There is no such thing as a perfect book, so why bother convincing myself I can make one. And besides, these books are about Morocco, a Muslim country, where the only things that can achieve perfection come from a higher power. Maybe I am a secret Muslim?

I normally don’t make pictures like the one you see here, but I knew I would be making a portfolio, and it’s not the worst idea to have an image of yourself when using a book for promotion. Like including your WEBSITE, contact information, etc. A phone number and email are essential if you want to play in the adult world. Many of the best clients would never contact anyone via social. Just does not happen. I’m not looking for work, so I skipped that part of the design.

I think there might be an interesting book at the end of my test books, but it will require more work. That’s okay. Book five, a MagCloud Digest, is in the works. After that, I’ll assess, write a lot more, and then see what makes the most sense moving forward. I can’t tell you how much fun it is to put the screws to new work. Making books has been a “full circle” part of my life since the early 1990s. Don’t see that changing anytime soon.