I mentioned recently that I find the act of physically writing things down helps with my organisational skills, but also to clear my head of all the things buzzing around. Note taking is one of the ways I cope with dyslexic, as I never feel totally happy until I see the ink on the paper - be that a plan for a project, or a daily to-do list.
For someone like me, Mind Journal is a project that speaks volumes. I caught up with Ollie Aplin, the Brighton-based graphic designer behind the Kickstarter which aims to reach out to those who have experienced issues which we normally keep to ourselves.
-----
Mat - As a freelance writer I’ve always been interesting in words, but the idea of journalling isn’t something I’ve taken too. Could you explain a little bit about the idea behind the Mind Journal?
Ollie Aplin of Mind Journal - There’s a big difference between writing for a reason and journaling for an unseen meaning. Well, at least that’s how I see it. It’s like walking to the shops vs. walking along the beach. One is for a reason - you need to get to the shops. But you walk along the beach because it makes you feel good. That's the challenge I face and have learned many others face when it comes to journaling. I write all day, be it emails, proposals, or copy for web design. Why would I then want to write again, and what would I write about?
The idea behind Mind Journal is to take all the frustration and confusion associated with journaling, and to simplify it into a set of manageable tasks. Blank pages are notoriously difficult to fill. Mind Journal is not blank, therefore some of the work has already been done for you.
There
is a real pressure on guys in today’s society to look a certain way, to
perform at an increasing capacity, and to cope unfaded, without
question. And there’s a ton of tools on the market to help with this;
gyms, nutrition supplements, productivity apps etc...
But there is nothing to help guys cope with their mental welfare. This is where Mind Journal becomes powerful. Its stripped-back approach does away with any doubt or scepticism. It's for the modern, everyday guy that doesn’t meditate or do yoga — the guy that believes in the power of simple things and simple solutions.
The Mind Journal encourages guys to pick up a pen, and get their own thoughts across. What do you think this notion can achieve, and do you see it as a deeply private thing?
Journaling can achieve so much in terms of a persons well-being. I’ve been writing in a journal for almost 10 years now. It’s helped with my panic attacks, decisions in life, worries about money and relationships. All the things I didn't feel I could share with others. The interesting thing I find with writing in a journal is that it takes all the danger out of whatever it is I was worried about. All the fear goes.
Thoughts in our heads are often jumbled words, noises and emotions that lack any real definition. It’s just stuff. Writing all that stuff down helps make sense of it. You have to turn that noise and jumble into structured sentences, and that then helps those jumbled thoughts become clearer. Journaling has no rules. It can be a private thing or not. And you, the writer, can decide to share your discoveries or not. There is no wrong or right way to write a journal.
But there is nothing to help guys cope with their mental welfare. This is where Mind Journal becomes powerful. Its stripped-back approach does away with any doubt or scepticism. It's for the modern, everyday guy that doesn’t meditate or do yoga — the guy that believes in the power of simple things and simple solutions.
The Mind Journal encourages guys to pick up a pen, and get their own thoughts across. What do you think this notion can achieve, and do you see it as a deeply private thing?
Journaling can achieve so much in terms of a persons well-being. I’ve been writing in a journal for almost 10 years now. It’s helped with my panic attacks, decisions in life, worries about money and relationships. All the things I didn't feel I could share with others. The interesting thing I find with writing in a journal is that it takes all the danger out of whatever it is I was worried about. All the fear goes.
Thoughts in our heads are often jumbled words, noises and emotions that lack any real definition. It’s just stuff. Writing all that stuff down helps make sense of it. You have to turn that noise and jumble into structured sentences, and that then helps those jumbled thoughts become clearer. Journaling has no rules. It can be a private thing or not. And you, the writer, can decide to share your discoveries or not. There is no wrong or right way to write a journal.
What is your background, and where do you take draw your on influences from?
My background is in design. Digital mainly. I’m often working to find the best solutions for people to use things better, be it a website or app. And I’m always looking at how things are made and wondering how they could be better. I’m influenced by everything really, articles I read, the work of others. I’m fascinated by people that refuse to do things normally. That push boundaries.
Oooh yeah. I might be a digital designer day-to-day but my love for paper and things that are real is what gets me fired up. With print you only get one chance to get it right. You can’t just email out an update and change the paper stock of the book that everyone has already bought.
The details really matter when it's a physical product. There’s no where to hide. With Mind Journal I’ve obsessed over these details for months. "Is the paper right, does the case work, how does it perform, how does it feel." This connection from the user to the product is super important to me. We buy with our hearts not our minds. And that’s what I’m trying to tap into with Mind Journal. Hence the story, and physicality of the design.
How about the other side of what you do? You clearly have a great eye for modern design and branding.
I love things that have been well designed. That have purpose and have meaning behind them. That’s how I feel about design in general, and how go about designing things. Nothing is done for the sake of it. There is always a reason, a purpose. I don’t believe in ‘decoration’. I think that's why I get inspired by utilitarian design.
I love things that have been well designed. That have purpose and have meaning behind them. That’s how I feel about design in general, and how go about designing things. Nothing is done for the sake of it. There is always a reason, a purpose. I don’t believe in ‘decoration’. I think that's why I get inspired by utilitarian design.
What are you offering with The Mind Journal Kickstarter, and what sort of rewards can we expect?
Keeping everything simple is the way I’ve approached the Kickstarter. So the only reward is the journal in different qualities and finishes. There is a limited edition grey and yellow cover that I hope to add if we reach are stretch goal of 30k and 40k.
I’ve tiered the rewards so that the more you pledge the cheaper you get the journals for. This is not about making money, it’s about providing guys with the necessary tools to cope better. There is nothing else like this on the market.
You’ve gained some excellent feedback from the public and online press since the launch. Have you had anyone reach out with their own journalling stories?
It's blown me away, the feedback and comments have been overwhelming. I’ve had so many guys message me with their relief that they’ve finally found this journal, people with real troubles that are seeking help. That’s why it’s so important I try to get my message across. It really does have the potential to help so many men.
I’ve got some big plans for the future of Mind Journal that I’m working on. The more we raise the quicker I can roll them out, and get them in the hands of the guys that really need them.
Find out more about the Mind Journal, and support their Kickstarter here.
I need to try one of these. Great interview!
ReplyDeleteTotally need to try one of these, & Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing interview! And I need this :D
ReplyDeleteMONDAY PROJECTS
Fantastic stuff! Reading this convo, he sounds very passionate about this project.
ReplyDeleteKatrina Sophia
It's true, many men follow a crowd. I think I myself did that when I was younger. Now I concentrate on what I enjoy and what I like to do and I'm much happier for it. You already know I'm a big list fan and getting things down on paper just keeps me nice and organised - J
ReplyDeletewww.jordanbunker.uk
I can't wait to get my hands on one of these, I feel like I write all the time, but never as a way solving or relieving myself of problems or stress. It's a great idea, and beautifully designed.
ReplyDeletedayofrest.co.uk
We sound like we work a similar way, man. It just doesn't feel right if I can't physically see it written down. I've trained myself to let go, and use apps but it's not the same. I end up writing the same again in pads.
ReplyDeleteit's an interesting, positive concept.
ReplyDelete