I had an idea with a friend who runs compassion based mindfulness workshops for LGBTQIA+ people with South Asian heritage, that I would make a booklet for participants to take away with them at the end of a new 4 week course.
I would be using my lived experience as a member of the same community and my professional and personal experience with mindfulness to write the content of the booklet.
I then planned to use the facilities at WSA to print and hand make the booklet.
I have been in discussion with the printmaking technician, Andy, about the best way to achieve my outcome and after making a prototype, I ordered the paper and constructed the booklet with Andy’s help and supervision. They are A5 sized and bound on the spine using linen thread.
I loved the process of planning and making the booklets and my intention was for the outcome to feel like a special object. This is because the nature of the work can leave people feeling vulnerable and I wanted the booklet to recognise this and say that it is ok to feel like this.
I included my contact details in the booklet so that people can feedback to me directly if they would like to.
I sent out the booklet’s to the participants wrapped in tissue paper and have had feedback that they really appreciated the careful way that they were constructed.
Below are some of the process images.
The prototype
The PDF of the text (in booklet format)
Making the booklets
Screen printing the design onto the paper
Adding gold heat sensitive foil
Folding the booklets
Punching holes to bind the booklets
