#diy #journaling #writing #drawing Joe unveils his newest journaling system, that moves away from bound journal books to loose sheets of paper, ring-bound for archiving.
Nice idea. Fun fact - Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence on a writing box, or portable writing desk. It was made to Jefferson's specifications by a cabinetmaker and is currently in the Smithsonian's Museum of American History. May each of us be as influential in our writing.
I thought I was the only one that started a journal and jumped to another one that caught my attention before I finished the first one. Great video, thanks for sharing.
The Circa junior system is my paper binder common place book. Actually, I have two sets of rings and two binder covers. One cover is a rigid plastic and it houses my day to day pages. The leather cover is my archival place for ideas, quotes, and all subjects close to my heart. Since I can move pages around I can reassign a “home” for any pages in either book. The thin plastic cover binder has my monthly calendar and essential subjects pages so I keep it with me. I buy wonderful multi-colored paper and dividers. Best system ever also because there are no 3-ring style rings. There are other companies besides Levenger but a search on that site for “Circa” shows how easy it is to insert and remove sheets silently. Love your site. New subscriber.
🙋♀️ me too! I love this elegant solution. :) I would probably make a loop with black elastic (the kind seamstresses use) to hold the paper on the surface, and it would also help trap the sheets in the storage area. Thanks for sharing!
Most folks don’t take the time to stop & reflect on things in their life that work for them & things that just don’t. I enjoyed hearing your thoughtful process of reviewing the various journals features that most appealed to you & your style. Creating your personalized artist’s desk was (r)evolutionary in so many ways. Carry on oh kindred spirit. Well done!
I know this is tangential, but just in case it helps someone, I did see somewhere else, a woman who bound her pages herself, which was a way. She beautifully incorporated cages of different sizes, shapes, sources and made something that was entirely hers. If I remember correctly, it was her way of creating her travel journal incorporating travel mementos, like ticket stubs or flowers. There's so much creative energy here. It's really amazing and inspiring. Thank you!
I've never related so much to a Journaling video. I've used them all. Midori, hobonichi cousin, even campus and soft ring binders etc. Moleskin, leuchtturm 1917, and finally settling on a generic Korean planner with rings. The journey is very fun! Lol
I’d be happy with a marble notebook that’s as good as one you could buy anywhere 10+ years ago. They’re all so flimsy now and the paper is a joke. >.< Don’t get me started on the state of legal pads!
After many years of inventive sketching and note taking with many books filled etc I indulged in a Kindle Scribe and now I have the capacity to sketch on thousands of pages without the bulk or dead weight of paper format, and the bonus is I can have a collection of books on the Scribe too without having a library haversack on my back.
The hand position changing as your fill up a page in a notebook drives me bonkers! What an elegant solution - love that you dreamed it and made it real too!
A great idea! And the final product looks immaculate. I hope it works out for you! I’d suggest pre-perforating your stored papers, so that you don’t write or draw over your perforation zone (I myself found that out the hard way, lol !) Write on!
This is great! I think the best thing about this video is seeing how happy it makes you that you found a solution to your problem and how excited you are to use it, test out trials & errors, etc. Thank you for sharing. Now I’m just in a good mood after this!
Two things I’ve done to achieve a similar goal: - the discbound system - the office supply stores stock junior / half-sheet pages. I carry as small of a notebook as I want, and move pages to the archive after. - Hobonichi notebooks - I take them to the local office store (Staples) and I then punch and use discs as well. I love that Japanese paper! Discbound is amazing!
Love Discbound!! I get the junior size (8 discs) with some nice covers, and buy cheap blank or lined 5×8" index cards, and punch ‘em myself. The ruled lines go sideways from the usual direction, making a landscape notebook instead of portrait orientation. But that works great for me! The heft of light weight index cards is a lot nicer to me than regular thick paper. My ultimate pages would be dot grid index cards (would suit both portrait and landscape!), but they’re horribly expensive to hunt down and purchase, and I could print them directly onto the index cards using my printer, but at the moment I’ve had to put my printer in storage, so that’s not convenient (yet).
I was going to say Discbound as well! I bought a punch so I can make my own covers/papers. I like the flexibility of storing papers as small as business cards all in the same archive. (Plastic placemats work well as covers!)
I like my disk bound planner. I can carry as much or as little of it as I need to, arrange it to suit my needs, etc. I also like the way Grumbacher (think it's the Academy line) has bound the wire bound art paper books they sell at Walmart. You can remove the pages and put them back in later. Other brands do it too, it's just the one I can remember off the top of my head. The pages are also perforated if you want to remove the paper hooks.
I have so much respect for anyone that develops their own ways of working. They say that the medium is the message, and you have shaped the medium to you rather than being shaped by the medium.
What a great idea. It looks like a system that you could package and sell to other creatives who want to journal. Like "scrapbooking" for journal writers. I'd buy one.👍👍👍👍👍
Very nice! The one thing I am taking away from this is how often you change your journaling system. I've tried journaling on and off for about 15 years now but could never stick with it. One thing that keeps getting in my way is my anxiety and perfectionism regarding finding the perfect system for journaling, or finding a one size fits all solution to journaling. What I've learned from this video is I should just stick with it, and let my system evolve naturally over time, and that it is ok to keep changing systems or try new things. Thank you!
Many, many years ago when I was learning shorthand we used steno pads that were about 1/2 sheet size but they were Spiral bound at the top. As we worked to the bottom of the page, we were taught to push up on the paper so that we kept getting good purchase on the notebook. Something that few people remember how to do now.
Very nice "desk". For the papers you could make a thin tray/drawer - it will keep them inside and you can slide it out to sort and reorder papers, especially thinner ones. A small magnets will keep it in place or you can use a mini latch. Would be also good place for a pen. I think I have to do one for me (I am a hobby woodworker and CAD designer).
An elegant, well-thought-out design. I could see using the acrylic side for quick notes with a removable marker. The ability to have different paper types and a good writing surface at hand wherever you are is great.
There’s something I love about this… maybe it’s the change from finding that perfect journal, or spending money on a leather cover for cheap journals. It’s so cool!
I was thinking a thick, possibly fairly large, rubber band would work. It could right across the middle, and then it could serve as a holder for the loose paper on top while still allowing it to move.
I think I would actually just place a binder clip over the slot. I know that doesn’t fit Joe’s aesthetic, but it would block the paper from falling out and would double as a clamp for holding the paper in windy conditions.
A large rubber band that goes around the narrow part of the pad can serve 2 purposes. It can solve his issue of keeping the paper in place while writing while still being able to shift it up as he writes. All while keeping the stored paper from falling out.
Love your idea. I am currently using A5 3 ring binder and loose leaf paper. I think, if you wanted to or if anyone using something similar wanted to, you could just get plain old clothing elastic from a sewing section, and sew the two ends together and slip it around your "desk". Then you can slide the paper up and down the desk or it will help if your thumb slips and it will help hold your papers in the middle to keep them from falling out. Just a thought.
I love the ability to slide the paper up for a good writing postion. Two ideas: 1 - Regarding holding the paper: how about an elastic across the board at the top end. Tight enough to hold the paper, "slippery" enough to allow to smoothly slide the paper upwards. 2 - A very thin and stiff board, maybe bamboo. Attached to a similar size pocket or folder (plastic, leather) for the paper storage / filing. They can be opened like a notebook or detached to enable nice writing on flat surfaces. On the go without any table, the system can be used just like your current version.
@@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536I like the rubber band idea too. You could also slide that binder down to the middle to keep the stored paper from sliding out in transit
Joe, thanks for such a great video! Grabbed my attention when you described you jumping from one journal to another that caught your fancy. Either because of a feature, design improvement or styling. I too agree with other commenters, about creating a latch/locking mechanism to secure the paper. My suggestion would be to move the slot to the top. Use a stainless steel metal strip in the top to serve tripple duty. First, I t will secure the paper. Secondly it will serve as a ruler. Thirdly it can be used to secure your paper at various angles through the use of embedded rare earth magnets. If you elongate the desk slightly more you might be able to create a slot to slope a pencil in and out. Now you got my creative juices going! If you wind up patenting it good luck to you!
You came up with a handy desk; that adhesive flooring will never wear out either✍️ Notebooks gather so many random subjects and loose paper really is the best option for filing later. Thanks a lot👍
Back in school I'd carry a single binder with paper with 3 different edge colors (sourced from other binders). When I got home, I'd archive the notes of the day in their source binders (each their own topic) and restock. Carrying a single medium-sized binder in my arm and watching my confused classmates carrying a backpack full of paper was fun. Wish I'd figured out a tiny bag for it, I just had a single strap that wrapped around it and I'd sling it over my shoulder, which was no good for rainy days. Very minimalistic though. I also went hardcore on pocketmod, which still exists!
Love your design. I for one have used that size paper and binder for years and would print out specific sheets for meeting notes and projects notes. Great work
Such a good idea! I already use a loose leaf system because I like to type my journal but occasionally if I am travelling I don’t always have a typewriter and I love your idea of including sketches etc in the journal. I’ve never tried that! I’m also a woodworker so making one is a simple project. I might try to find a way to incorporate a pen storage slot for my fountain pen. You’ve given me so many ideas in this one video.
Filofax became very popular in the 1980s but existed many years before that, and my late father used similar small ringbound folders in the 1950s. Many companies jumped on the wagon. They came in a variety of sizes, and you can buy a six hole punch to include any kind of paper. They were very cool I think. Having said that, I now favour notebooks. I agree that carrying your archive around isn't ideal, especially if you might lose it. Having said that, I value them, and have never lost one. I would also add the thought that journaling is a great kind of therapy, and although there is a tendancy to write when you are in the depths, or on the heights, and not so much in between, nevertheless it does help.
This is an excellent product! The idea and development are practical and creative as well as easily remade by DIYers. I do hope you send it to market for the non DIY crowd that could definitely benefit from this. I would call it the “creative journaling block”. I love it
12:22 is where you really caught my attention - I too have been writing/journaling for years and what always bugged me was the ergonomics once you've reached the halfway point on a page. I even considered building a sliding "Mahl" stick that my wrist could rest on that moved in two axes (X & Y) just above the desktop allowing my hand to float above the book I was writing in. While that may be comfortable for a fixed desk and better suited to one who writes all day every day by hand, it is an idea that could quickly get complicated to the point of being absurd - it is just writing after all (said the writer, ha). After mulling over your comments I believe you have created an excellent system - one I intend to implement on an upcoming extended vacation. Portable, simple, light, and uncomplicated to build, I appreciate your insights and discussion about what you've done and liked/disliked about it. Thank you Mr. Cleave!
I love finding ‘my people’!!!!! So, I’ve had the idea ( and actually started the process but switched around to others 🤗) of using the thin travel journals and then 3-hole punching them into a binder such as the one you have!🤷🏼♀️
That is brilliant! Well done 👏🏽 How about a removable band to keep the paper in and it could hold the paper but still allow it to slide up and down. I love what you said at the end too, very inspiring. Thank you 🙏🏽
I love this idea a lot, because I have used a simpler version before, when I was in college, a couple of decades ago, I bough lose paper sheets and had a binder, just add them to the binder per topic
Love this idea. You described a lot of issues I have with most regular notebooks, especially the thicker ones. The awkward writing feeling on the lower part of a page is really annoying! Thank you for sharing this idea & the tips on how to build.
You have helped me get past the implied commitment of writing in "a journal". By rethinking and separating the functions of a journal, you have taught me a very important concept that I believe will be applicable to many different things, both physical and cerebral. You have achieved the rank of "mentor"!
Very practical and flexible 👍. I would add an elastic band with a pen holder loop, which would also keep the papers inside the box. Low tech but effective. You could "liberate" your bound A5 joirnals by cutting their spine and punching holes on the left margins. They would fit well in your A5 ring binder now. A decent printing place could use a guillotine to cut the spines off (it'd be a good idea to number the pages first 😊). Love the idea of using different types of papers as well. I am now very intrigued to consider this for my own journals
Joe, I really like this idea. For me, one of my biggest issues with my journal('s), is that I may be thinking of working on a new project of mine over the span of the journal, or journals, and I find that when I need to reference an idea or find a concept in my journal, I really have to do my due diligence with the table of contents. With your system Joe, as you return the articles to the archive system, you could then selectively and intent fully group them by concept or theory. This is important because later down the line you could bind these into a miniature journal of its own or a reference book of said concept or theory or project.
I've used notebooks/journals since I was really young to draw, write notes and just random doodles on my over active brain. It's funny how as an adult i still do it but with a better understanding as to why. But I still do it and enjoy it, and every few years my needs seem to evolve as well. But buying pretty new pens and papers is so fun!
Interesting that we got similar idea~ My journal, notes, sketches and planners using A4 paper and files. I stopped buying books because first, i have too much that there's no place for more on my bookshelf. Second, bcs there's too many books i sometimes took the wrong note books to classes. So i stopped using them and straight up jotting notes on A4 papers and keep them in section in files. Turns out really well when i need to skimming through information at same time kinda work as reminder when designing things. ✨Best decision ever✨
As I watch this gem I glance at my desk and see that I am surrounded by my many journaling systems. I always thought I had so many because of the "new shiny toy" syndrome combined with actual size dictated by practicality. (I am a Contractor/Hobiest/School for Life/Multiple Shop's mobile and stationary guy), this causes me to think about the two projects I need to complete today, which are inconveniently archived between several digital and paper systems and I hear you say "Carry my archive" and it hits me. My real problem is exactly that, In the end, all of my documents end up in 2 x formats, one analog in a binder and one digitally, But who the hell knows where they are in the meantime? Thank you, you have convinced me I need a new format, errrr a new format in many sizes, ahh hell, face it I have a new "journaling project to add to the rest" Thank you this was awesome.
I would suggest a 1/16 inch lip along the opening side of your writing box. This would give you a tactile guide for when you pick up the box so that you are less likely to spill the loose leaf papers. It would also help keep the paper "square" and the written lines parallel. Also I would pre-punch the sheets so you don't later punch through something vital.
This is lovely. I feel comforted in the fact that most of your past journaling history is much like my own, glad to see I’m not the only one who has fallen into the same traps. As for the portable writing desk device, I’d really love to see some way to keep the loose pages from sliding out if the tablet is knocked over, and also a way to attach a pen to it so there’s a writing utensil with it at all times. Other than that it’s a great idea and system and I hope it works out for you!
A thought I had was a long door held closed by a set of magnets with the hing at the top of the tablet. Or perhaps its hingless and removable with magnets set in the top of the surface as well to use as a paper clip.
It’s an intriguing design, and you are absolutely right about the need to get a good purchase of your paper. I might try your idea. Thanks for sharing.
I love the concept! The flexibility of your design is the main point of attraction for me. I find it a bit bulky though, but maybe that is exactly what you prefer. I would personally like a softer and grippy writing surface to rest the sheet of paper. I find it nicer to write on a soft surface than if it is directly on wood. Of course, you could use a couple of backing sheets for that purpose. I could see glueing a thin piece of leather for a permanent padding. Looking forward to your field experience with it and any other iterations. Daniel
What a useful and practical device. I had the same problem with notebooks. I jotted down some notes and then moved to doing something else, only to find years later that they were half (or even less) filled. But recently I found your video about the prong fastener notebooks and it's been such a relief not worrying about writing or sketching different things on my main notebook. I really thank you for that one. As for the handi-desk, I think the name goes straight to the point but here is a suggestion: pocket desk.
I think you are onto something here. There are a lot of possibilities for this. A lot of possible configurations. You could make a larger version that has room for writing tools or even a small set of watercolors. Another user suggested that you could use the acrylic back as a dry erase board. You've got my hamster wheel turning.
I'm a bit late to the party but your mention of magnets made me think. If you embedded a metal sheet in the wood or maybe even behind you could use magnets to hold the paper down as you wrote. Avoids having the clip in the way but your paper wont fly away in the wind if you are writing outside. Thanks for the video!
this tool you made , is such a great idea thank you for the video , I didn’t think something on my recommended would be so helpful I’ll have to make my own ponder board thank you ! ❤
i like this design. it seems super useful. the only thing i can think of is maybe a rubber/elastic band that could be used to hold the paper you're drawing on to the surface of the device in outdoor/breezy situations. it could also be used as a means to keep the paper in the storage slot secure if you have to throw the device in a bag or on the seat of a car, etc. just a thought. thanks for the videos as always!
For some years I have just used a plain clipboard to accomplish most of these same functions. It's not as aesthetically interesting as the handi-desk, but otherwise it serves just about every other purpose mentioned, plus it can also carry a pen or two under the clip, if desired. I suppose one could use one of the fancier leather or fabric folder-clipboard arrangements for a nicer look.
I shift filled pages to the bottom of the pile on the clipboard. Once a week, or as needed, filled pages are removed to a folder. Eventually these are bound together with a screwpost and cardstock cover.
I was confronted with the same problem, and my solution was the Remarkable 2. Endless paper, and cut paste, store on the computer or on the cloud. Also with ocr technology immediately indexed and searchable. Still has the paper feel, but harnessing the power of the 21st century.
I like it! I used to carry around a folder with the half-sized legal pad inside. I even found a real nice leather folder. I agree that when your hand gets nearer the bottom of the page, there is no where to rest it. Then I discovered the iPad mini. I may “lose” things; but I know at least they are inside it! 😂 you can type out your words, use the speach to type button (and correct it’s corrections! 😂) you can draw in it; make charts in it; and now they finally have created a filing system so you can sort by category (notes app). You can add pictures, too. The only downsides are there is no graph paper (maybe there’s an app for that?) and with the chart, you cannot customize the column widths like you can in excel. It’s not tactile though, so maybe not for everyone. But I like that everything is in one place and I don’t lose things anymore. 😁
Man does not want to carry his archive around. Builds portable desk the size of a notebook. Lol kidding aside, this is a neat idea; I like it. Now I'm thinking of how to add a hinged opening the covers the slot and also holds a pen... (or magnets) you've given me an idea and inspiration, thanks! I have discbound supplies (hole punch, discs, covers, paper) to archive with. I also happen to like making things from wood. **edit* I overthink and overcomplicate things lol. I'ma build one of these and just sew up an elastic strap to keep the pages in, which I can also use as a "clip" like a clipboard. Thanks again! I really like this.
This is great, I love it! There's an important insight here about the mixture of creation and archival and how physical notebooks bind you into a mix of both. For some people that may be exactly what they want because the reflection of what's been done is as important as the creation that will be done. If not though, this solution is absolutely excellent.
Love your ingenuity here. These are the best solutions. I've made my own clipboards and leather notebook covers. Crafting your own stuff is very rewarding and often solves the problem directly.
I found your channel via the typewriters subreddit on reddit and I'm pleasantly surprised to find that you journal as well. I've been journaling since 1995 and use only composition notebooks or handmade in that size for consistency. I use my typewriters for a separate poetry diary. Anyway... love your idea for the "handi desk" and was thinking you could add a side strip that has magnets to attach. This could hold the paper inside while traveling but could come off and stick to embedded magnets on the top to hold your paper to the writing surface.
great points about current work vs. carrying around your archive, and how this fixes the "bad hand position at the bottom of a page" - I am going to make one of these for this next semester, thank you!
What a brilliant idea. The amount of different things I've entered into a journal, made it hard to archive different writings/thoughts/ideas/feelings seperately, as they were all in one book. This system helps you to archive different subjects into a catalog. This makes it easier for retrieval
Plan old clip board for a couple of bucks works the same. I put several different style papers on it and place in my binder whenever I’m done. I use a full letter clip board with half letter papers. Gives your hand room to create. They also make clipboards with paper storage .
I like this concept! Although I do a great deal of writing by subject in the speckled notebooks, as you said you did as well, and I probably won't cease doing so ( I have over a hundred at the moment - either archived or in progress),, I also like taking notes and making lists in steno pads. I like drawing on paper about that size as well, so I think this system would be a great addition, I currently keep them in a zipped book cover with a handle for carrying, and I found a small clipboard that fits as well, but a "handi desk" would take up far less room. Thank you for a great idea to run with! 😁
Glad I got this video in my recommendations. I also found it a problem to work in bound sketch/notebooks and like A5 sized papers. My solution was to use a A5 sized clipboard but this looks fantastic and refined.
What an elegant and brilliantly executed system! If you wanted to incorporate something to hold the paper while you're writing, I think magnets might be a good solution. You could route out a portion of the interior wood writing surface, embed some magnets and then just use a magnetic bar to secure the paper. You'd still have the freedom to move the page up if you need to readjust, while being able to secure it. Seriously though, I love this idea and I really think you knocked it out of the park :)
"My Clean Slate " would be a great name for your creation. I believe the only thought you need to change is hole punching your sheets to fit in the binder before you write on them to ensure you don't have to hole punch over what you have already written or create a ledger line on the sheets so you don't write beyond the ledger line where the punches go.
Was blown away by this, never come across anything like this but it certainly addresses all the issues I have with journaling - will see if I can create one this weekend. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
It’s a wonderful system, and I can see its use. It wouldn’t be quite my style, but it is beautiful and useful in a variety of situations. Congratulations, Joe, for what you have accomplished!
This is a great idea that maybe you can market, as I don’t have the skills to make one of my own. I understand the need to have a mix of unbound paper but I also have accepted that most of what goes into my various notebooks ends up being the start of other projects. So in that sense I don’t always need to separate out pages and group them together, as the Handi Desk helps you do. As long as I have an index page for each book I can find what I’m looking for and continue on with it in a digital form or something else. But it would be nice to collate different papers and notes from something like this. Thanks for a good video.
Love this, the use of analogue systems in a digital world!! But have you thought of getting all your pages scanned to a digital medium so if anything happens to these pages (fire/flood) and you will still have a backup of all the work you have done over the decades.
Lovely. As a creative nerd that loves technology, my mind immediately goes to how I could design something like this and 3d print it. Of course, this defeats the beauty and simplicity of your design. What I really need is a workshop with some woodworking tools.
For archival, think about clam shell boxes. They are designed to be light and dust protected. Looks like a book, can be put on a shelf, and keep everything handy.
