13/03/08: DIY: Classic Notebooks
The Great Escape cover above, designed by Abram Games for Penguin in 1951, is one of my all-time favourites. And when, Moleskined-out, I needed a new notebook, it sprung to mind.
So here’s what I did. I scanned in the cover, and created a dummy edition, complete with 200 blank, numbered pages, which I had printed by Lulu - a replica edition for my own use. It cost £5, which I thought was pretty reasonable.
If you’d like to do the same, here’s the blank, numbered interior pdf for a 200pp paperback notebook (what Lulu calls Pocket B&W, Perfect Bound, 10.795cm x 17.463cm). And if you have InDesign CS2+, here’s a blank cover file, complete with bleed and spine correctly sized for 200pp (I’m pretty sure this is copyright violation, so you’ll have to scan your own favourite cover).
Note that I messed up the bleed a little, trying to preserve the edges of Games’ design, but trial and error will out.
I’m starting to see the internet as an (admittedly very slow) cornucopia machine (yes, I’ve been overdosing on the Stross again). The number of web services that let you customise ‘things’ - and sell them on - is growing rapidly, and has quite profound consequences for traditional first-order (manufacturer) and even second-order (designer) producers. And quite interesting ones for the rest of us.
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Designed and built by 
James- this absolute genius, great idea.
That. Is. Awesome.
Like all great ideas, so simple that I thwacked my forehead while asking why I didn’t think of it myself! I’m going to try it out with a favourite crow image - a new notebook for my new novel Corvus.
[...] has veered away from Moleskines in favour of making his own notebooks through lulu.com, using a classic book cover [via [...]
Hey James,
This is slick. An unconsidered revenue stream for Penguin too?
Do you think they would allow people to reproduce covers for a small fee for this kind of thing?
Would you pay?
Eoin
Yes, you are correct- it is © violation! Estate of AG own the ©! Careful please!
Perhaps you could offer to pay a few cents so that AG’s heirs can buy their next loaf of bread.
I thought this was such a great idea I rushed off and made my own - and it arrived yesterday. It came out great - and I already got a funny look on the Underground for appearing to write in a vintage copy of Orwell’s 1984
I decided it would be easier to upload the front and back covers separately and not worry about the spine - which means you don’t have to be an InDesign whiz if you don’t mind skipping the authentic spine…
Thanks again for the inspiration!
Glad you guys all like it. Simon - pictures?
Have posted some pics on the bookgeeks blog: http://bookgeeks.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/geeky-notebooks/
This is a great idea!
Once in a while the Internet throws up a new possibility that pleasantly boggles the mind. This (both for the object created and the lessons you draw from it) is one of those times. Thank you, James.
[...] After reading Jame’s Bridle’s recent post over at booktwo.org about making custom notebooks using Lulu.com and scanned classic book covers, I was inspired [...]