futureofthebook.com
preservation and persistence of the changing book

Introduction

Commentary

Reports

Workshops

Store

Links

PreFab Book Art, PBI 2003

PBI instructors Croft, Kyle, Canary & Frost

Book Kit Class Report Camp Wapiti, May, 9-12, 2003

Circumstances of book kit manufacture

Book kits contain precut and prepared components needed to assemble a hand made book. Kits are use by book makers who may live far from any direct assembly assistance, so there are instructions with the kit that have many friendly tips and encouragements. The kits are sold in an attractive package.

The search term, “book kits” is now an established query line. There are many book kit manufacturers and each is improving, testing and extending the types of their products. The class toured many of the kit manufacturer’s websites. Recently the variety of kits has suddenly expanded and accessory items of tools, kit add-ons and evermore more explanitory instructions and publications are available. PBI 2003 has acknowledged this development with the world’s first workshop session on the design and production of book kits. Our class explored the process of making book kits. We assembled and evaluated existing kits and designed original kits of our own. We considered the possible uses of kit built books. We discussed kit pricing.

We believe that book kits can bring book studies, book arts and book crafts to a much wider market and wider audience. We believe that the process of making book kits for others is as important as making books themselves. We believe that book kits can reverse a loss of independent, personal expression in a media saturated society.

Basic precepts of book kit manufacture

The book kit manufacturer needs many skills and a wide understanding of book studies, book arts and book crafts. Here are some of the specialties of the book kit manufacturer.

1. selecting the prototype

There are many prototypes from the history of book making, from publications on book crafts and from innovations in book arts. The kit prototype should be (1) familiar (2) likeable (3) multi use adaptive

2. designing the kit

The book kit manufacturer must think of both the book making user and the kit production process. The book manufacturer will consider instructional theory and haptic learning factors and at the same time consider economy of cutouts and use of simple jigs to assure clean cutting, creasing or folding of components.

There is a latent demand for instructional aids as student projects or demonstrator models for all levels of book studies. Cultural diversity themes from the history of the book are particularly rich.

3. writing instructions

The book kit manufacturer will provide an illustrated terms diagram. In turn, the illustrated terms should mirror usage in the instruction narrative and unclear narrative terms should appear on the diagram. There will be a list of parts and a list of tools that will be needed but that are not provided in the kit.

The book kit manufacturer writes the narrative in the imperative voice. The assembly activities are clumped into logical steps and these steps are signified by a bullet or appropriate ornament. The narrative flow, or a marginalia "tips" column, will include occasional remarks of encouragement or caution. Larger narative breaks divide the kit assembly into smaller individual work sessions.

The book kit manufacturer will consider multiple user approaches including assembly without instructions, deviation from instructions and change of covering components and decoration options

4. customer satisfaction

The book kit manufacturer provides contact information for assembly support. Customers can be surveyed by an enclosure providing an incentive for return. Manufacturers can recommendation other kits and offer reference to book arts centers and on-line portals.

5. adaptive redesigning

The professional book kit manufacturer pledges to progressively simplify designs and progressively improve materials and instructions. Assembly steps should be refined to minimse risk of error or mis-interpretation. Correct grammar and spelling of instructions is needed.

6. packaging & marketing

Provide a kit difficulty rating, an estimated time of assembly and an age range for user. Suggest uses for the finished book. Produce kits in series or edition variations.

Developments in the community of book kit manufacturers

The PBI kit workshop participants have drawn together to establish first ever Trans Regional Association of Book Kit Manufactories. We are happy to co-operate in the development of the book kit sector and happy to share information on related sectors such as those of the scrapbook, rubber stamp and journaling communities.

There were ten participants in the PBI 2003 “PreFab Book Art” class from eight states. Valerie Carrigan, PA, John Fatula, ME, Ann Frellsen, GA, Rudy Kovacs, ID, Roberta Lavadour, OR, Scott Samuelson, ID, Rich Spelker, CA, Maria Fredericks, NY, Toni Nelson, UT and Foster Beigler, CA. The class activities included; Day one, assembly and evaluation of existing kits, Day two selection of prototype and design of individual kit and on-line tour of book kit manufacturers, Day three, composition of instructions and design of packaging, Day four completion of work and round table presention of individual kits and “buyer’s” exposition of products. This was followed by a skit "24/7 Book Kit Tech Support Call-in"

Frost at the call-in station