Unravelling the stories of your loved ones...
When developing DYR Diary, I wanted to emphasise that it is a physical heirloom to be cherished for generations.
With that in mind, it was important that the design and choice of materials were of the best quality and built to last.
Diary Design
The first design took into consideration the 'treasure' feel to the product; something that is opened with anticipation and excitement. That is why I chose a rustic looking leather hide for the cover with a leather lace tie. Just imagine untying this and stepping into the past..
The B5 size of the diary pages was based on being able to stack two 6 x 4" landscape photos on top of each other. On that basis the diary itself is approximately 25 x 20cm.
The ringbinder mechanism allows you to customise your diary with the 'Packs' of your choice.
The second design takes a more 'professional' approach akin to photo albums or leather organisers. It caters for those that may not want a rustic look but a more clean and robust finish. The decision to provide a magnetic closure instead of a leather tie was also based on the overall look.
I want to offer the highest quality material that will last several lifetimes.
Diary 1 from above is made from Rustler hide in a tan colour with burnished edges and leather tie wrap. There is also decorative stitching on the spine. The leather has been treated so that it can be reinvigorated should it get tired.
Diary 2 is made from Healey hide in a burgundy colour. It has been stiffened with board and covered in book cloth. The closing mechanism is a magnetic clasp.
Packs
I want each and every diary to be as personal to the individual as possible. This is why I have created 'Packs' that allow you to create your own personal timeline.
The majority of diaries and journals available are book-like and already have everything outlined in a specific order and cannot be changed. By providing interchangeable Packs, there is flexibility to make the diary as unique as possible.
These are categorised into themes, such as Heritage, Childhood and Marriage.
Each pack contains 20 sheets with a question per sheet. The questions have been specially selected and will align with the Pack theme. To cover all bases, there are blank Packs for when you have a question of your own to ask.
The paper used will be high-quality and non-blotting, meaning that several ink types can be used. DYR Diary is an eco-conscious company, the paper used will be from a sustainable source and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified.
In order to distinguish between sections, inserts with tabs will be provided so that you can personally order your diary.
Future
As the product line develops, I want to be adding additional features. A number of these have been listed below:
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Additional Packs. I will be adding new themes on a regular basis so that your diary can be filled with various aspects of your life.
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Sticker Packs. This to help make your journal and stories more unique. We're thinking Flags for countries you've visited, Badges, Logos and more.
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New materials. I am experimenting to cater for our vegetarian, vegan and eco-conscious customers.
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Colours. At the moment we are limited to a handful of colours but as we grow we want to offer a variety to suit your needs.
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Sizes. The current specifications are for the diaries to hold B5 paper but we are thinking that there may be a need for various sizes.
If my research proves that there are enough of interest out there to want a DYR Diary, my next steps will be:
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Funding. Aside from my own personal savings, I will look to ramp up production by having potential investors on board. This may be our direct network or using sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe.
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Manufacturers. I have wanted to ensure that the end-to-end product development stays within the UK, so we'd want to partner up with national manufacturers to bring production up to scale.
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Marketing. This includes getting an e-commerce site up and running as well as establishing a strong social networking presence.
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Distribution and delivery. The most important part - getting your diary to you!
Here's to our past, present and future, from
