Mountains of work
Before starting Niche design, I hadn’t done anything close to that. I’ve never conducted interviews. I’ve never designed a print magazine. And I surely never handled overseas shipping.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this project has been the most ambitious project I’ve ever done. As it turned out, self-publishing is an enormous amount of work.
When I look at the deadline I set for November, what I have left to do seems impossible to accomplish:
- We move out in October
- We have a baby to take care of
- We’re going on a vacation for a few days
- September is full of holidays
Everything seems to run out of time.
A month ago, things had been quite tranquil. The first interview was held in February, and gradually, the rest have taken place in the following weeks and months. But like with other big projects, there comes a time when the work needs to be pushed forward to bring it to completion.
It always fascinates me to watch the process take shape. At the beginning, there are so many things to do that make you feel like this is not going to happen. And with this project, it's just me orchestrating a giant operation.
But slowly, something begins to shift. Decisions are being made. Trade-offs are being settled. The messy files get just a bit more organized, and suddenly an identity starts to emerge. The work, once hidden in this endless forest, begins to reveal itself through the weeds. Essays become better. Interviews get polished. The layout comes together.
There are roughly two months left to publish the issue, and still, it’s hard to imagine it being ready on time. However, observing the work, day after day, makes me feel just a little better.
The mountains that once were hidden by fog and clouds start to peek out in the sun.