Graphic Design

Beci Orpin · Make and Do

We do love a multi-talented, multi-tasking talented local creative, and designer / illustrator / author Beci Orpin is one of the most productive we know.  In fact, we’re beginning to wonder if she is living in some kind of alternate reality where time can be paused for productivity, because her creative output really defies belief! Beci’s latest book is her third in two years (!!), it’s called Make and Do, and it officially launches this week!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins

Make and Do‘, the brand new book by Melbourne designer Beci Orpin, published by Hardie Grant.  Photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Make and Do‘ by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Make and Do‘ by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

‘Giant Wall Sprinkles’ in Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

‘Giant Wall Sprinkles’ in Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

‘Found Projects’ in Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

‘Found Projects’ in Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Paper love in Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Paper love in Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

Writer
Lucy Feagins
27th of October 2014

Make and Do is a book about creative projects and creative spaces.  Beci has based each chapter around the different materials she uses in her studio – paper, wood, textiles and found objects.  Our favourite project hands down are the GIANT WALL SPRINKLES (genius!).  Interspersed  between these fun ‘how to’ projects are studio visits with some of Beci’s favourite creative people including Miso, Tin & Ed and Lucas Grogan, which is such a lovely and inspiring addition to the book.

For this book, Beci worked with her  ‘book dream team’ – book designer Michelle Mackintosh, and photographer Chris Middleton, plus the folk at Hardie Grant, as well as an external editor.  ‘Most of the work takes place over a 3 month period – it is a pretty intense process’ explains Beci.  The first 6-8 weeks are spent in the studio gathering materials and testing and making all the projects, taking comprehensive notes along the way.  Once all the projects are finalised, a big photo shoot  happens – where Beci and her team work solidly for around 10 days creating all the photographs for the book.  After the shots are in, Beci finalises the text, and Michelle starts putting all the layout together, and then, Beci says, ‘I just click my fingers and a book is made – if only it was that easy!’.

When she’s not writing books, Beci is also responsible for designing all the homewares at Arro Home, as well as juggling various other freelance projects, and being a hands on Mum.  At the moment she’s pumped about releasing the new Arro Home collection – ‘it’s bigger and better than the first one!’ she says.  She’s also currently working on a children’s picture book with Penguin which will be out in 2015, and has a number of other collabs in the works – and a new website too!  We will be sure to keep you posted on all of the above, but in the meantime, for goodness SAKE Beci, please chill out for like, 20 minutes once you’ve finished promoting  this book, your work ethic is beyond compare!

Make and Do by Beci Orpin, with photos in the book by Chris Middleton. (Our pic of the book by Eve Wilson).

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