Lockdown Express
In April 2021, I was partnered with TD1 Youth Hub in Galashiels, to deliver a book design project to a group of young people. The aim was to co-create a book together using photography the group had taken during the second lockdown. Over the course of six weeks the group selected their favourite photographs, wrote meaningful descriptions and titles, and got messy with paints and other materials to create a front cover. The project culminated with an excursion to Out of the Blueprint a social enterprise based in Leith, Edinburgh who specialise in Risograph and Gocco printing. The group got to see their own books being printed, learnt about risoprint, and even assembled their own books, stapling and folding 150 copies in only a couple of hours! Each young person left with limited edition copies of 'Lockdown Express' and an insight into the world of graphic design and printing.
This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Youth Arts Small Grants Fund, Creative Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and Youth Borders.
A quick look through Lockdown Express
Using paints, paper and pencils to create a front cover
Cover concept 1
Cover concept 2
Cover concept 3
Flatplan for the book
Bethany from Out of the Blueprint showing the group a sheet made of recycled banana fibers
The finished book resting on copies of the inside spreads