UPPERCASE { Janine Vangool }

Dear Reader, Using the vintage stencils featured on the cover of issue #67, I recreated this alphabet that subscribers can print out onto the kraft mailer: cut out the letters and use them as a second-generation stencil! You'll find an array of UPPERCASE "krafts" that reuse and upcycle the kraft mailer in creative ways over here on my website. If you don't have a kraft mailer from an UPPERCASE subscription or single-copy purchase of the magazine from my website, you can use a cereal box....

Hello Reader, Here's a shot of the Glue book on my desk at the end of the day, with some creative clutter and my computer in the background... And the resulting product shot, below. Nothing glamorous about my photography setup, that's for sure! My logistical to-do list for the Glue book is ✅, meaning all copies are en route to everyone who has ordered it so far. New orders will be dispatched next week, after the Thanksgiving holiday Monday here in Canada. Thank you to everyone who preordered...

Dear Reader, Today, I posted a video of what's inside Glue. With 448 pages, it takes 6 minutes! (Here's the quick version.) Many of the participants have received their couriered copies; soon, they'll arrive in other places. The reviews are great so far: "I love it!" "It's fabulous!" "It's absolutely brilliant." "I'm over the moon!" 🥰 See below for more shipping news. Open Calls – update! I've extended the deadline for the open calls for issue #68 to October 20th. I've also slightly rewritten...

Hello Reader, It's very exciting to see the Glue books arrive with people other than me! First to receive it are the book's participants—their copies were sent via FedEx. Take a look at some of their posts in my saved stories. The image above is from Fiona McTaggart. Glue Shipping Update All US and overseas preorders placed before September 17 are in the postal system as of September 29. Canadian preorders will be sent out this coming week via various couriers to circumvent the Canada Post...

Dear Reader, Thank you for your kind encouragements after my message on Friday. Your subscriptions and book orders are always welcome! UPPERCASE discount offers Use the code 'keepgoing' for CA$10 off subscriptions and renewals. Subscribe starting with the new issue or the previous one. Purchase 3 or more Encyclopedias for 20% off (or purchase an already-discounted book bundle). Glue has been added to this offer, but it won't ship until next week or so, pending inventory to arrive. Save 20%...

Dear Reader, Yesterday, the Canadian government announced that Canada Post is "effectively insolvent." They plan on ending home delivery in favour of community mailboxes, are extending delivery timelines (ie it will take more time to get your mail and it probably won't be every weekday), and they plan on closing some rural post offices. The labour union, which was in negotiations with Canada Post, was seemingly taken by surprise by all of this and immediately declared job action. Canada Post...

Hello, my surface pattern design friends! You might have taken Bonnie Christine's Immersion to learn Illustrator, or Sarah Watts' From Paint to Pattern to master Photoshop... well, there's one more in this trio of useful design tools: Adobe InDesign! InDesign is a design, typography and layout program that helps you bring all of your ideas together. (It's the program I use to design UPPERCASE magazine!) Designer and illustrator Genna Blackburn has created a course called "InDesign Your...

Hello Reader, Sometimes I don't know what to write in this newsletter until I sit down and start typing. I compose this newsletter on the day that it is sent to you. I always check the news before sending, to see "what's going on," because I wouldn't want to send something out at "the wrong time." These days, there is always something going on, and it never seems like the right time. Everything going on outside of UPPERCASE magazine is of greater importance. And yet, UPPERCASE is my world,...

Hello, my surface pattern design friends! Having a well-designed flip-through digital (and one printed on paper!) portfolio is essential for communicating to art directors and getting your work licensed: it demonstrates your professionalism, organizes your portfolio to highlight its strengths and can be customized to speak directly to your dream client. Designer and illustrator Genna Blackburn's course "InDesign Your Portfolio" is open for enrollment. Here's more about Genna's course: Here's...