This brief required me to challenge the standard conventions of a book and create a self-authored one on what makes me a South African. I decided on using my childhood boarding school routine as a narrative, as it’s a rare South African experience. I depicted this through the use of intertextuality of borrowed imagery which seemed nostalgic, with personal photographs as well. Half of the narrative are existing sentences I wrote as a child in various of sources I found. This then became the different plots of my weekly military routine a decade ago. The title of the book: “ROETINE & FIGURE”, which translates to: “ROUTINE & FIGURES”, captures the naive outlook of a young citizen. These are the only two concerns of a child - sticking to the standard routine and considering the people in it.

The mixed media/collage design technique enhances the naive approach of the overall execution. This is inspired by rough zines and scrapbooks that look and feel authentically personal. Other conceptual motifs that help enforce this include the roughen edges of the pages, tape motif, image quality, imperfect binding and language and grammar usage.

The tape motif has various functions and meanings. The PVC-tape reminds me a lot and has a direct link to my dad, because he uses this regularly with repair work - it's also a very durable material. It also lends into the imperfect binding intention by creating a rough, DIY-look-and-feel. Masking tape just plays lovely into the whole collage look&feel. It’s a secure way to keep all the contents of the book together and simultaneously be flexible, which is ideal for the materials to be placed in the page folders.

The week’s narrative is printed double-sided on transparent plastic paper sleeves. This has a direct connotation with the retro overhead projector papers that were used for our presentations in primary school - lending it sentimental value. The transparency also allow the reader to view the collage depictions of what he/she is reading, whilst reading it. It simultaneously provides a different dynamic and rhythm in perceiving the contents of the book.