BLANKBOOK is designed and produced by me; Kajsa Bornedal in a workshop set up in my living-room. I started building my book-studio during covid when access was lost to the workshops at Konstfack, School of Design, Arts and Crafts. My flat is close to lakes and a big forest so a lot of thinking is done whilst on my walks.
I have yet never made the same notebook twice. By making the books by hand I have the freedom to follow the material that I find. I might find a ribbon at a secondhand shop or get a paper from a friend, from that I create the space. I start building the book, deciding the format depending on the size of the sheet and treat it depending on intended use. Sometimes I have an idea of what I would like it to look like before I start but most of the time it is a process starting from one defining quality such as colour or the tactile qualities of the paper. To make a book by hand takes a lot of dedicated time so I make sure to make it fun. To explore different combinations of materials, new techniques and new formats, that is fun for me.
As much as I love the process I love the end goal just as much. To know that it will be a special place for me or someone else. The notebook have had a very special place to me, as a journal, as a thinking space. Trying to find the perfect notebook with the specific paper that matches my favourite pen. I have en extensive collection of the time-capsules from different walks of life, my taste in books have changed and I become more and more specific about the books. It is an amazing feeling to be able to build the notebooks that I want and need.
Drawing and writing have been a part of my life since a young age as well as making clothes. I worked as a costume designer for a few years but my professional life has been dedicated to working for human rights both in leadership positions in civil society organisations and as a writer. I have three published books for young people learning about society. The first one was a beginners guide for young people on ways to engage for human rights in society. I illustrated, wrote and designed that book. In 2022 two educational materials for Civics and Ethics was published where I wrote the chapters concerning human rights.
Promoting human rights and preventing abuses can be very draining at times. Backlashes, threats, regression and lack of resources is a part of it. Making books are a retreat. From working on a structural level working towards changes that might take decades to achieve and is way out of your control, it is a relief to build something with what you have in your hands
Please visit kajsabornedal.se for other works.