Building a prototype

I mentioned a few posts ago that I had a stack of sketches and notes for some new journal designs.  I've been working my way through them slowly picking and choosing different elements to work on.  Whenever I create a brand new design I usually like to build a sample or prototype first just to work out the measurements and the assembly order.  Sometimes what looks good on paper or make sense in the sketchbook doesn't always translate well into reality. 

This new journal:

looks a lot like the others that I've done in the past but the inside has something a little different.  I've been trying to come up with a way to store pencils and pens right in the journal utilizing something other than a pocket:

So this one has a pencil box built right in:

Not sure if I like the ring system for the pages or not.  I'm working on a few other ideas for that too.  This design needs a bit more work but as prototypes go, this one is headed in the right direction I think.

Have a great weekend!

Comments

[Alis]

Oh yes as prototypes go it is brilliant. What a fab idea to put a pencil box in there.

[sion]

very cool! The rings are tricky, hey. I always like the idea of them and get annoyed by how they look. I'm probably trying to teach grandma to suck eggs here, but did you know you can buy those spring-loaded ring units (the ones they use inside standard ring binders) separately at good office stationery stores? I've been considering making myself a sketchbook/notebook with one, just haven't quite decided how to fix it to the journal.

[Jan Leatherland]

Great fabric and love the pencil box idea. Can't wait for the class.

Jan
in Sheffield, UK

[Jan Leatherland]

The new journal is brilliant and I love the pencil box idea - can't wait for the class!

Jan

[Elis]

Lovely colours! and great idea for the pencil box! I like the binder rings at the top as well as I think the paper would be easier to flip than along the spine and easier to add in extra papers along the way. namaste Elis.

[Mary Anne]

Is that fabric or paper on the outside? Either way, its beautiful!! Love your new prototype and especially the pencil box...great idea.

[Sandy Jandik]

I love that fabric. What a neat idea to have a pencil box. The rings would have been good in my 3 fold journal.

[Terri]

Wow, it's looking pretty darn cool to me.

[Linda]

Now THAT's creative. I like the little box idea! No chance of those babies slipping out!

[Mags]

Another clever and different idea Sue! That fabricis beautiful. Is it one of yours?

[Vicki W]

Well, well, aren't you clever! The pencil box is brilliant! I suppose you could put the pencil box on the left for a right-handed person? I happen to really like the rings at the top. The fabric and button are awesome!

[Marie]

What a great idea though !
I think making prototypes is the best part of any project !
Great job. Love it !

[Deb]

Sue: I like the idea of a built in pencil box. I'll watch with interest to see what you do with it. I'm with you in not being sure about the rings at the top, although I think the concept is good. I can see it could be helpful to be able to remove and insert and work on a vertical sheet as in this journal. Thanks for sharing your process with us. BTW I love the cover fabric.