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My Life as Cartoon Book – Giveaway

Posted 20 Mar 2012 - 7 Gratefully received comments

 
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

WINNERS:
Brent Galloway wins the full colour edition
@whoatemycrayons receives the black and white copy.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter and helped me spread the word a bit.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

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On Sale NOW – My Life as a Cartoon #1-50 Book

Posted 19 Mar 2012 - No Comments - leave yours now!

 
I’m very pleased to announce that a book of the comic strips from this blog is now available to buy. It contains the first 50 comics plus special extra content – Original character designs, a ‘making of…’ and an extra strip that is new and exclusive to the book.

I’ve self-published two editions via Lulu.com
There is a full colour edition that reproduces the strips from screen to page beautifully. I’ve also made a black and white edition as a value option. The Full Colour version is £13.50 +Postage, the Black and White version is £6.50 +Postage.

After a bit of deliberation I’ve decided to keep the strips up on my website. They will always be available to view right here. If you haven’t read them before here is the archive.

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My Life as a Cartoon – Book

Posted 16 Feb 2012 - 2 Gratefully received comments

 
In the early days of my website the comic I published on my blog was nothing more than a little idea I had to create a little bit of content. Something that customers and other designers might get a smile from and possibly keep coming back to my site to have a look at the latest offering.
I’ve been making the comics now, on and off, for nearly three years. The comics have grown in popularity, in their own small way, to the point that they have become a proper USP of my online portfolio.

With this in mind, and the fact that I have managed to amass over 50 strips, the time seems right to make a little book of them.

I’m in the process of putting an A5 book together that will feature the first 50 comic strips, in full colour. For those interested I’ve decided to do this through Lulu, the print on demand service. It seems like the best way to go about it, with minimum outlay on my part, yet still managing to generate a meagre profit (hopefully).

However, this blog post isn’t a shameless promotion (honest!) If this book sounds like something you might be interested in I’d like to get a little input from you. A little market research. Please feel free to make a comment below or get in touch via email if you have any thoughts or suggestions that might help me along in this self-publishing journey.

So, what do I want to know?

In addition to the 50 comic strips I’d like to add a bit of exclusive content. Some (not so) hidden (or) special features. This will include a few small strips I’ve done for guest blog posts in the past using the same characters and at least one completely new strip created especially for the book.
What else would you like to see? What else would you like to know?

Have you ever bought books through Lulu in the past? Was it a pleasant experience? Was the product good quality? Should I publish elsewhere?

What would you be prepared to pay for a small booklet of 50 comics?

Any input of suggestions you might have will be gladly received. I realise this is the smallest niche on the internet and I’m publishing a book with a very select audience. That’s why I thought I’d consult you before ploughing headlong into it.
Many thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments.

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Best Posts of 2010

Posted 03 Jan 2011 - 2 Gratefully received comments

I’d like to start this first post of 2011 by wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year.

I’ve commented in the past that I don’t really appreciate new years celebrations. For me, it’s a simple marker in time that a lot of people use to set goals for themselves or change their habits in an effort to improve themselves, which is a great thing. Personally, I don’t need the turning of a calendar page as motivation to make changes. I guess I’m a bit of a new year Grinch!

I’ve got a lot to be excited about this year, the main thing being that I will be getting married! There are also a host of new personal and professional opportunities for me to work on. I have plenty to look forward to.

However, the one thing I do like about the new year is pausing to look back at the year that has passed. Every newspaper and TV channel takes this opportunity to make highlight compilations of the year. So I thought I’d conform to the norm and make my own highlight reel!

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What do you buy a Designer for Xmas? – Random Question #6

Posted 20 Dec 2010 - 2 Gratefully received comments

Here’s another opportunity for you to have your say, with another one of my random questions.

It’s that wonderful time of year when we all gather together and celebrate commercialism!

Of course I’m joking (a little). There are many reasons to celebrate Xmas, and the less cynical side of me appreciates how generous the human race becomes to one another at this time of year.

I know it’s corny, but as I’ve got older I have enjoyed giving gifts rather than receiving them. Plus with the advent of internet shopping I can get all of the gifts I need in between jobs.

There is one regular occurrence in the run up to Xmas in my family. I always get asked to write a list of things I might like. The reaction to this list is usually puzzlement. I’m not sure if it’s just me, or designers in general, but my tastes tend to veer off into the obscure. Any CD’s I like can’t usually be found on the high street and the books I like (design related or not) are limited runs or difficult to find. Luckily I like films, which can be an easy go to gift for the uninitiated!

So, what do you buy a designer for Xmas? Or if you are a designer, what is on your xmas list?

I’m only asking to make my life easier in the future. I can make a list and give my relatives a whole year to do their research and track things down!

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Interview on Dave Will Design

Posted 18 Nov 2010 - One gratefully received comment

A while back I was interviewed by Dave Williams for his blog. It’s now been published for your enjoyment (hopefully).
You can see it here.

Dave’s questions were really interesting and insightful. I hope my answers might be helpful to others too.

While you’re there take a good look at some of Dave’s other articles. He’s been busy producing some interesting stuff for the consumption of the blogosphere.

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Are you a Leopard or a Chameleon?

Posted 15 Nov 2010 - 4 Gratefully received comments

Design, like any creative pursuit, is all about individual style.

Some designers rely on it as their unique selling point, these are the ‘leopards’ that according to the saying …”never change their spots”.

Others adapt the style they work in according to the requirements of a project, like a ‘chameleon,’ they adapt to their environment.

For a designer or a client what are the advantages of each approach?

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© Ken Reynolds Design