Back issues are just $10 through Monday.

/

Look at all the work I've done over the years! How time flies when you keep yourself passionately busy. 

All of my babies are available to enjoy while inventory lasts (issue 10 and 11 are running low at this point). On sale for just $10 apiece until end of day Monday, I'd suggest getting one of each. Subscribe starting with #23, the current issue, and you'll be all set for an inspired year ahead.

p.s. Use the code "thankyou" for another $15 off orders over $80.

creative manifesto: Alessandra Lanot

/

In our current issue #20 (released in January), we had a creative challenge asking our readers to submit their Creative Manifestos. Today we will feature some of the best submissions.

My Creative Manifesto: Follow Your Art

Your Name: Alessandra Lanot

Your City: Quezon City

Your Country: Philippines

Your website: http://www.lifeafterbreakfast.com

 

creative manifesto: Jane Rainwater

/

In our current issue #20 (released in January), we had a creative challenge asking our readers to submit their Creative Manifestos. Today we will feature some of the best submissions.

My Creative Manifesto: Beautiful Tyranny

Your Name: Jane Rainwater

Your City: Andover,CT

Your Country: USA

Your website if applicable: http://www.rainwaterdesign.com

creative manifesto: Mary Peterson

/

In our current issue #20 (released in January), we had a creative challenge asking our readers to submit their Creative Manifestos. Today we will feature some of the best submissions.

My Creative Manifesto: Make. Help. Smile.

Your Name: Mary Peterson

Your City: Los Angeles

Your Country: USA

Your website if applicable.: http://www.marypeterson.com

Show and Tell: Jim Vanides

/

For Jim Vanides' Show and Tell, I will present in full his submission for the "I Love Notions" open call I had for issue 20. You can see the published version in the current issue. Jim read his poem for our event.

Jim is a technologist, educator, and photographer in Silicon Valley. As an educator, his passion is working with teachers to use technology to create powerful learning experiences for students—experiences that help more students succeed. As a photographer, he enjoys still life and landscapes, but most of all, capturing memories of children caught in the act of just being themselves...

Dear UPPERCASE, 

Thank you for the invitation to think about notions! Who would have guessed that your invitation to would inspire me to stop and reflect on what really matters in life—and what it is that we leave behind. 

Perhaps it was no coincidence that we recently found our daughter’s first pair of baby shoes, and all 32 years came flowing back as if they were an instant. Or perhaps it was my grandfather’s pocket watch, sitting in our cabinet of family “treasures” (complete with the key to his tailor shop in New York, circa 1925) that prompted me to think about the real meaning of “treasures”. 

The feeling, all combined, was the unmistakable thread of time that linked my grandfather to my daughter—more significantly, the thread of love that will outlast time itself…. 

So thank you for prompting my memories and my conviction that “only love is timeless…” 

Warm regards from California, 

Jim Vanides 

Threads of Love 

Time is a thread 
That connects us to our past 
And leads us minute by minute 
To our Future 

Time, wrapped in Love, 
Is the greatest gift 
We can receive 
And share 

For all the gifts we give and receive 
Only Love is timeless 
Only Love will remain… 

A nice note: Jim's daughter is Joy Deneen, a talented calligrapher and the author of our Garbage Beauty article in the current issue. I didn't find out until later that two generations of a family are published in the same issue!

broadcasting ourselves

/

the UPPERCASE network

Janine and I sat down on Thursday to talk about #20. I'm privy to her insights as she designs each issue. It's so fascinating that I knew all of you would love it. You'll be able to tell that we were rather nervous but, for our first time, we think we did a great job. We hope you enjoy and share this video. 

If you're a subscriber, #20 should arrive at your door very soon. If you're not a subscriber, please consider subscribing...but don't just take our word for it.

Be sure to visit our other channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

[lots of] pictures of issue 20

/

We've been busy... stockist copies have been shipped and the subscriber mailing is in progress. I took some photos [spoiler alert for those of you who prefer to wait to see the magazine when it arrives in your mailbox!] of the current issue (not all the spreads are shown below) to entice those of you who aren't subscribers to start the new year off on the right foot: get yourself a big dose of creativity with issue 20. The cover, printed with a Pantone silver, is by Jason Munn.

press action!

/

Getting the silver ink onto the press.

Cover plates, with the plate for the silver radio on the right.

More plates for the cover.

Running a Heidelberg Speedmaster is not quite as easy as just pressing a button!

The press is up and running...

Quality control.

Press levels.

Looks good from here! I can't wait to see that Pantone silver in person. I think it will settle into our uncoated stock quite nicely, adding a subtle metallic sheen.

Another job well done.

It's always exciting to know that a print job is underway. I remember the olden days as a freelancer when a client project was on press... when I acted as the eyes and voice for my clients at the production stage. Now when one of my jobs in on press it is always something that I've been involved with in every aspect, not just the design. It's a whole other level of commitment—and it sure makes a difference when you're footing the bill, too!

I've been working with Chris Young and The Prolific Group for many years. It is absolutely wonderful to work with people who produce such great work and whom I can trust. It's not possible for me to visit Winnipeg every time an issue is on press—I am grateful that the project is always with capable hands and keen eyes.

Thanks to Mike McGibney, the shift supervisor, for these action photos!

The interior pages will be run and everything will have to dry for a few days before it heads into bindery. Then comes mail and shipping prep, so it does take some time. We'll be ready to ship this out right after the holidays.

Get your subscriptions and renewals in as soon as you can to be on the big mailing list come the new year! Thanks!

Issue #20 trailer

/

Issue 20 marks 5 years of UPPERCASE magazine! This is an amazing feat considering that we are a small publication with little or no print advertising, fully supported by our readers and subscribers. With your support, we look forward to many more creative years ahead. Thank you.

The main theme throughout this issue is “broadcasting”. My broad interpretation of this term includes the sharing of ideas graphically and publicly through posters, social media and public art and also encompasses amateur radio, graphic novels and collecting vintage advertising posters. To round out the issue, haberdashery, hat-making and a love of sewing notions is a pretty and crafty thread of content throughout.

Thank you for your subscriptions.

Credits by order of appearance
(click over to Vimeo for links within the video):

0:04 Garbage Beauty photographed by Christian Blais
0:21 Yarn-bombing by Magda Sayeg
0:28 Magda and her family photographed by Adrienne Breaux
0:32 The Creative Manifesto by Mr. Cup (Fabien Barral)
0:33 Craft Manifesto by Aardvark On Sea (Pea Crabtree and Lesley Greening Lassoff)
0:36 Kill Your TV Manifesto by Aardvark On Sea (Pea Crabtree and Lesley Greening Lassoff)
0:39 Hats by Leon Drexler (Stephen Temkin) photographed by Becca Gilgan
0:58 Austin Kleon photographed by Adrienne Breaux
1:01 Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
1:08 Hiné Mizushima
1:11 Art by Hiné Mizushima
1:12 Illustration by Macrina Busato
1:14 Photo by Donna Hopkins
1:16 Collage by Shelley Davies
1:19 Collage by Felicia Dadak
1:21 Wayward Haberdashery photographed by Jas Tang
1:24 Photo by Suzanna Scott
1:26 Illustrations by Felicia Dadak
1:30 Illustration by Laura Burroni
1:36 L'Affichiste photographed by Christian Blais
1:47 Karen Etingin, L'Affichiste
1:55 Ham Radio Card Collection by Julia Trigg
2:30 Cover Illustration by Jason Munn

Music by -Mux- (iStockPhoto)