Andrew Kelsall bought a MoleSkine® Notebook :: Squared Paper Design | Andrew Kelsall

Andrew Kelsall bought a MoleSkine® Notebook

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Every-so-often, I read either a blog article or comments section where a designer has mentioned how great the Moleskine® collection of notebooks and diaries are. The last time I read about one was in an article about journal designs by designer, Kyle Steed. I’m not one to follow the sheep, but on this occasion I thought I’d buy one and see what all the fuss is about.

After ordering my Moleskine® Squared Notebook, I received it after about 3 days (shown below). I must admit, I wasn’t overwhelmed by it at first-glance…after all, it was just a notebook.

moleskine-notebook-front

I looked inside to reveal 240 double-sided square-printed-pages. At this point, I did start to see the quality of the acid-free paper it was made from (image below).

moleskine-notebook-squared

The notebook isn’t a diary, although there is quite an extensive range of these notebooks available to cater for various tastes and uses. Overall, the design is I think is rather classy―and very functional. It has an elegant elastic band that keeps the whole thing together when closed, and has a page-separating tassel.

Why did I buy it? Well, when I’m out and about measuring-up large-format prints, etc, it sounds like a better prospect than having a stack of loose pieces of paper…which is usually the case. I also plan to carry it with me anywhere I go, so if I have a logo, poster or other design-related idea, I can jot it down and keep my musings in one place.

Have you ever had a Moleskine®? If so, which one did you buy―and did it aid your designs and idea development in any way?

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31 Thoughtful Comments, Comment or Ping

Alex Charchar (11 comments.)

I love the Moleskine range. I love them enough to have written two articles about them for my site, heh :p

I started with the pocket sized Classic ruled, then received a non-ruled version that had been engraved. I use the Extra Large Cahier ruled for writing my blog posts in first (got my second three-pack of these earlier this year — so, so nice to write in. Cardboard cover makes them easy to carry around too). and earlier this year I got a diary which is just gorgeous.. a day to a page on that beautiful stock..

welcome to the club It’s a fun addiction

I find I write the best when writing in them.. i think it’s the feel of the paper, especially against a fineliner or graphite pacer.. it sounds odd, but the sound of the graphite breaking off onto the paper gets me excited and just feels right.. the ideas just flow.. I have no doubt it’s all in my head

Alex Charchars last blog post..Art Director: Milton Glaser

Feb 15th, 2009
Susan Caverta (1 comments.)

Have you pinged this to Ice Rocket?

Feb 15th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@ Alex,

I had no idea that you’d written of these notebooks, I’ll have to nip over to your site and take a look at your articles.

I used mine for the first time last night, to start designing a logo for my wife’s new business. Black ballpoint pens work really well on the paper…I can tell that I am now a convert to the Moleskine way

Sidenote: I’m still having some issues with comment Moderation, hopefully, your next comment should appear right away all going well.

@ Susan

Ice Rocket? I think it’s on my pinglist. Is this a great service to ping to?

Feb 15th, 2009
Richard, Peacock Carter Newcastle (10 comments.)

I’ve been considering buying a few myself – still not fully convinced, though!

Feb 15th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@ Richard,

I wasn’t convinced for the first few minutes, but now I’ve used it, I think I’ll be a long-term user.

I bought it for £12.50, free delivery, so wasn’t priced too badly either

Feb 15th, 2009
Gareth Coxon - Dot Design (9 comments.)

Twitter ID: dot_design
Hi Andrew thanks for the post on my blog, thought I’d check your out in return, looks good.

Regarding the Moleskine®, seems abit expensive for what really is a notebook full of squared paper! I write so many notes and produces some many scribble that this notebook wouldn’t last long, though it does look great, thanks for sharing!

Gareth Coxon – Dot Designs last blog post..Identify that font: ‘What the font’ for the IPhone

Feb 15th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@ Gareth

It does seem a bit expensive, in one respect, but this notebook will probably last me all year, so in that respect, I think the quality is worth it. If it wouldn’t last long for you, you must be quite a “jotter”

Thanks for stopping my my site…

Feb 15th, 2009
Craig (1 comments.)

I use the same Moleskine that you bought above. I love it.

Feb 16th, 2009
David Airey (37 comments.)

Personally, I don’t see what all the fuss is about, but then again, those new Helvetica moleskins recently launched look quite tasty.

Feb 17th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@ Craig

Maybe great minds think alike

@ David

I noticed that you use A4 graph paper for your logo design process. Don’t know if Moleskine do them that size though

I saw the Helvetica Moleskins just the day after I received mine, wish I’d bought one of those red ones instead, but there’s always 2010…

Feb 17th, 2009
elle (1 comments.)

Perhaps I wasn’t aware of the cult like following to the moleskins.. but I too am an addict!

I don’t do much drawing- just doodles (not a designer), mainly I use mine a lot for notes, concepts, etc- almost anytime I am out, I get ideas and have to write them down otherwise I just lose them… ugh!

I am on my like 12th moleskin I believe- love ‘em *hearts* .. I know silly, but yes.. if its good enough to blog about right…. =P

elles last blog post..How Aware Are You Really?

Feb 17th, 2009
inspirationbit (5 comments.)

I’m with David, don’t quite see what’s all the fuss about Moleskine, except the prestige and thoughts about Hemingway and Picasso being its first famous fans.
Recently I bought a spiral notebook by Clairefontaine, 120 grid pages for $4 only (and that’s Canadian dollars), and another spiral sketchpad, also by Clairefontaine, 320 pages for $8 only, very happy with both.

Red Moleskines are beautiful though

inspirationbits last blog post..Striking Web Sites with Font Stacks that Inspire

Mar 6th, 2009
Alex Charchar (11 comments.)

I think you’re right about the prestige of using a notebook similiar to Hemmingway and Picasso (turns out they’re not really that alike), but I think a lot of it comes down to the way they’re put together.. the pocket ones are so darn sturdy and well built — they can take a real beating and still look great.. and the stock is lovely to write on

That being said, I’ve got many notebooks I adore, and they’re not all moleskines — my faveorite books to sketch in are $8 spiral bound things that have a heavier, textured, stock

Alex Charchars last blog post..Links: Ceramic Letters & Flowers

Mar 7th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@ elle

You’re on your 12th? Wow..you must have a lot of thoughts. I’ve had mine a couple of weeks and have yet to fill 12 pages

@ Vivien

Yeah, I have other pads too, but they were all too big for carrying around. To side with you for a moment, I wouldn’t rant-and-rave about them (except for this post, oh coarse), but I think they’re going to be with me, now I have one, until the end. But surely as a designer you’re tempted by the Red Helvetica one??

@ Alex

With the detail and effort you put into you’re articles, it doesn’t surprise me that, like elle, you have many notebooks. Keep up the good work…

Mar 7th, 2009
inspirationbit (5 comments.)

oh, I’m of course tempted by the Red Helvetica Moleskine, I did admit that Though in order for me to write/sketch in it I would have to have at least two Red Moleskines, so I can frame one, and write in another one

The French notebooks that I got recently, are not bulky at all, I usually prefer carrying and writing/sketching in small to mid-size notebooks.

inspirationbits last blog post..Striking Web Sites with Font Stacks that Inspire

Mar 7th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

Hi again Vivian. Oh well, as long as us designers actually USE notebooks & paper, we’re still on the same page…er, mind the pun

One day I’ll probably be writing a post about the lost art of writing and sketching…but that’ll be a discussion for another day…

Mar 7th, 2009
James Jacob (1 comments.)

Great post. I love my moleskine too, must be on my 6th now I think. The majority have been the same size as above, either plain or lined but I have also had the very small notebook and a couple of diaries along the way. Keep getting them at Christmas.

For added effect – use a yellow Lamy fountain pen – boardroom standout!

Ps – love the blog, really interesting and well designed

James Jacobs last blog post..New Domestic Trailer for G.I. Joe Movie

May 7th, 2009
Dave Holland (1 comments.)

My pocket Moleskine notebook has changed my whole existence. It lives in my pocket and as such is always there for all my moments of wisdom, clarity, etc. Without such a great little book I used to have many separate sheets of notes which were often lost and which never reached maturity as a result.
Moleskine rocks

May 11th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@James

Wow, your 6th? You must have many thoughts

I’m not really one for Fountain Pens, just the ‘ol Bic ballpoint for me I’m afraid, but glad it works well for you.

Thanks for the complement on my my blog design.

@Dave

That’s the dilemma that I had, always writing stuff here, there and everywhere! They’re certainly a handy notebook to behold, thanks for commenting…

May 11th, 2009
Amanda Vlahakis (7 comments.)

Never heard of one before now actually, but does David Airey use one because when you see his sketching for his logos it’s on that same sort of lined paper.

Maybe he just used bog standard ’school maths paper’ ha ha

Wouldn’t a maths book do the trick just as well? lol…

Amanda Vlahakiss last blog post..Where Is Tara & The Weather Pops

May 14th, 2009
Kate (1 comments.)

I can’t say I’ve ever owned a Moleskine, but I’ve heard a lot about them (all good – not a single bad remark). I might give one a try in the future, and I definitely think I’m be swaying towards a squared paper one like yours. I currently have a bog-standard notebook from Paperchase, but squared paper nevertheless

Fab blog though, thinking I’ll add it to my blog roll so I can keep an eye on it.

May 26th, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@Kate

I’m well-into mine now. Use it for almost everything, and I’ll definitely be buying another once full

Thanks for the compliment…

May 26th, 2009
Luke Sheppard (1 comments.)

Have you seen the price of the Helvetica ones?? You’d have to be SERIOUSLY irresponsible with money to even consider it!! Haha.

They ARE nice and I’ve used them in the past but I honestly don’t think the quality is any better than the higher quality offerings at WHSmith. That’s what I use now and I think they’re brilliant.

I’d love to rely solely on moleskines but I can’t justify it – when I design, I scribble ALL over the place, colour hex codes, pixel dimensions, enclosing div ids, etc etc. and I go through paper quicker than a curry house toilet.

Dec 23rd, 2009
Andrew Kelsall

@Luke → Pricey? Yes—but now I’ve been using one for over 6 month, I’ve found it useful because it was a pricey book. It makes me remember to write every thought so I won’t loose random pieces of paper. I know that their all in one place, in a quality notebook. Yeah, I could choose a cheaper one, but I’ve bought the ‘ol WHsmith type in the past. Did I write all my thoughts and ideas in these books? No.

I’m sticking with the Moleskine

Dec 23rd, 2009
Daniel (1 comments.)

Twitter ID: danielthai
I like the Moleskine line. I used to have a lined journal for when I was more of a writer, but I recently bought the same one you have, the medium hardcover notebook with squared pages. I haven’t found any other notebooks with squared pages, and I like that it’s easier to draw in this than a lined notebook. I also have small handwriting, and the grid is smaller than the lines, so it all works out well.

I carry mine around with me everywhere I go along with a set of colored pencils and a pen. I like to sketch things I see that might be good inspiration for future designs.
Daniel´s last blog ..Design-a-day, round 2

Jan 15th, 2010
fjpoblam

I like Moleskines, too. But I keep going back and forth, tending to favor a notebook that also comes in that variety of sizes: Rhodia. Made in France. High grade vellum.

You can find them in art stores. My favorite is the little 2.9X4.1in., cross-ruled – fits nicely in my vest or shirt pocket. Nice thing about Rhodia is, you can sketch out a note or drawing, then remove the page (perforated at the top).

I like the small Moleskine, though: that secret pocket in the back!

Jan 15th, 2010
steve benoit (1 comments.)

Twitter ID: studionumber9
i’ve had a moleskin for about a year or more now and i love it. no rules on the inside, just blank pages. the quality of the book is inspiring and the pages just scream out for artwork.

a guy i know out in portland also laser engraves covers for them with your (or any other chosen) design. he used to be able to engrave right on them but apparently laser engraving the moleskin itself releases some sort of toxic chemical?

worth the look: http://www.engraveyourbook.com/

here’s a glimpse of mine: http://bit.ly/5CbpF5

Jan 25th, 2010
Bruce Colthart (@bccreative) (1 comments.)

Twitter ID: bccreative
I only wish the grid lines weren’t so heavy in Moleskines. I like Miquelrius grid color and weight a bit better :]
Bruce Colthart (@bccreative)´s last blog ..Spontaneity – and Tedium – in A Street Concert Broadside Design: A Dissection

Jan 25th, 2010
Andrew Kelsall

@Daniel, fjpoblam, Steve & Bruce → Thanks for all your input

Jan 25th, 2010