I still was flying as a cabin crew. At the same time, I was looking for a new place where I would make my dream come true. And that dream at 24 was: my work is my passion.

And my passion was designing functional and beautiful things. I was looking for a job as a graphic designer.

I started as an intern (UI designer) at SKDO (in 2011 it had another name, but today guys still rock). A few months later I left my airline and started to work full-time.

No, not full-time.

“Full-time” for most people is like 8 hours a day, five days per week, or something similar. But I am talking about other “full-time”. I am talking about pushing all the boundaries. I invested all my physical and mental energy in this job.

It was my choice, and I wanted even more.

When your work is your passion, you don't think about sleeping or eating. But you think about improving yourself. About making the most incredible things ever made. About making something to impress your teammates. You want to become a rockstar but in your specialisation. And you want recognition.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2F9RJbadd5eypGhkkqOhj2%2F968bdfcf-65d4-4ab8-a785-650ff2a78eba.jpg?alt=media&token=fe69f634-6928-48bf-b27a-0b5393e01790","id":"968bdfcf-65d4-4ab8-a785-650ff2a78eba","width":640,"height":640,"filename":"02.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2F9RJbadd5eypGhkkqOhj2%2Fc43bd5e2-b722-4189-906d-b41d22271cae.jpg?alt=media&token=6ba767b7-8a4c-4144-853b-9f42a10b8476","id":"c43bd5e2-b722-4189-906d-b41d22271cae","width":640,"height":640,"filename":"15.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2F9RJbadd5eypGhkkqOhj2%2F799cb23b-fd9c-45ee-8746-31260f892a3b.jpg?alt=media&token=f5208485-4cb3-4118-bd2f-45eaffb2fa22","id":"799cb23b-fd9c-45ee-8746-31260f892a3b","width":640,"height":640,"filename":"05.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2F9RJbadd5eypGhkkqOhj2%2F62e70b6b-f34a-44f1-ab64-f31fd23662ee.jpg?alt=media&token=19bb1e57-a098-4b5a-9419-8fec168edfc1","id":"62e70b6b-f34a-44f1-ab64-f31fd23662ee","width":640,"height":640,"filename":"06.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2F9RJbadd5eypGhkkqOhj2%2F2a6bf58b-9345-454a-a0e4-a362e5104c78.jpg?alt=media&token=158d4334-dc2c-484f-bfe4-f54d5c1eee0c","id":"2a6bf58b-9345-454a-a0e4-a362e5104c78","width":640,"height":640,"filename":"07.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

The next 4 years were a wild time for me in a good sense. In the beginning, I was working on small tasks for graphic designers to gain technical and software skills as I was a newbie. But month by month I was transforming into a kind of multidisciplinary designer, problem solver, and critical thinker still working on most projects as UI/UX designer.

Millions were using the things we made daily.

Imagine that on the way to your office you see a person at a railway station using the interface you designed a month ago. It makes you smile.

I learned a lot. Not only about design as a discipline, but even more. I saw how wild ideas were transforming into perfect unique products.

The influence of the founder (Vadim Skrotsky) and art director (Valery Belozyorov) on me is impossible to describe. After years I know that their bold design philosophy still lives inside me.

It was not a job for me, it was primarily a **community**. A community of such wild fellas making outlandish projects.

I found my best friends here.

We were applying design thinking practices, implementing the "designers code" approach, recreating tools for the design processes and much more. Fantastic beautiful years of my career life.

*Photo credits: [@dimabuko](https://www.instagram.com/dimabuko/) (Instagram)*

Becoming someone at SKDO

At 22 yo, I started my independent grown-up life as a cabin attendant on international flights.

After a half-year of professional training, I flew on different aircraft types (mostly on Boeing 737) and provided safety and comfort to thousands of passengers in 100+ countries during their long aircraft journeys.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FAUrwhVSjbDQyqp0FIoJg%2Fb9d50f2b-be7b-49e5-9f18-073b1a0f3629.jpg?alt=media&token=68519329-2261-4484-a38c-970e6b1d0b81","id":"b9d50f2b-be7b-49e5-9f18-073b1a0f3629","width":453,"height":604,"filename":"b043ff08-910f-4dde-b489-fffa1e92afe4.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Me (left) with Andrey Makarevich, head of the band Mashina Vremeni, during one of the flights, 2009","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FAUrwhVSjbDQyqp0FIoJg%2Fc32fc36c-8a3d-4a3f-98f7-79062158bcd4.jpg?alt=media&token=895f767c-b16d-40cd-971e-20f072ec148e","id":"c32fc36c-8a3d-4a3f-98f7-79062158bcd4","width":450,"height":604,"filename":"8419fc0c-2a2e-4003-9a3b-7b5374ed0a2d.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Fight-fighting cabin crew training in BAA Training Aviation Academy, Vilnius, Lithuania, 2009","border":false}]}
```

I found a lot there: friends, adventures, and the taste of life while working in an unusual position. And I found people who became my mentors during the following years of my life.

The most important skill of this job is the process of managing large groups of people.

At the same time, I was studying graphic design in Vilnius, Lithuania. In the end, my designer goals outweighed my career goals in an aviation company. 

So I decided to transition to commercial graphic design as a UI/UX designer and left the aviation company for a new position.

Another important thing I learned is that the people management approach without effective and honest leadership can be unfair.

Growing-up and flying away

Making the book set

Becoming an Independent Publisher

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FHUIdVQXEbyLy5hIF9OQu%2F90711468-54b1-44f7-b79f-0171ce4708dd.jpg?alt=media&token=add2076f-e026-4462-96af-1fbd92dcfd25","id":"90711468-54b1-44f7-b79f-0171ce4708dd","width":4000,"height":2667,"filename":"cover.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Book cover","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FHUIdVQXEbyLy5hIF9OQu%2F3ad641b9-dccb-429c-96ae-0402bc824253.jpg?alt=media&token=248333c4-5088-4880-adbd-8c11cabd6c8f","id":"3ad641b9-dccb-429c-96ae-0402bc824253","width":4000,"height":2667,"filename":"pirate.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"P is for \"Pirate\"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FHUIdVQXEbyLy5hIF9OQu%2F6586412a-cf7f-4d08-b753-5680a7956402.jpg?alt=media&token=a4554efd-f6ee-4439-85bb-fb0e7e895621","id":"6586412a-cf7f-4d08-b753-5680a7956402","width":4000,"height":2667,"filename":"robot.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"R is for \"Robot\"... unicorn-robot :)","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FHUIdVQXEbyLy5hIF9OQu%2Fa16a8ace-5dee-4d1c-aa5c-ea797c730d87.jpg?alt=media&token=90640320-ca9a-42bd-ae45-f3f24a6aa2ef","id":"a16a8ace-5dee-4d1c-aa5c-ea797c730d87","width":4000,"height":2667,"filename":"tornado.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"T is for \"Tornado\"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FHUIdVQXEbyLy5hIF9OQu%2F6a196a9f-428f-4bdf-977e-a8a1f9e721d7.jpg?alt=media&token=b430fa7c-7759-4dc8-b11e-2314f944b73b","id":"6a196a9f-428f-4bdf-977e-a8a1f9e721d7","width":4000,"height":2667,"filename":"ukulele.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"U is for \"Ukulele\"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FHUIdVQXEbyLy5hIF9OQu%2F6e1a419f-7741-4ef1-90bd-0213ae22c42f.jpg?alt=media&token=31730b86-f609-42fd-9d8d-533e64c150ec","id":"6e1a419f-7741-4ef1-90bd-0213ae22c42f","width":4000,"height":2667,"filename":"yoga.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Y is for \"Yoga\"","border":false}]}
```

The journey began with my daughter, Eva, born in Poland.

She juggles four languages daily. She speaks English at preschool, Polish in the playground, Belarusian and Russian at home and with her family and friends.

## Intro in English

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://youtu.be/10jOAeMc-RE?si=_qeqjVYd046aJmUs","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/10jOAeMc-RE/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

## Look through the book

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://youtu.be/RwSI1Rg6Zpo","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RwSI1Rg6Zpo/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

## Intro in Polish

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zISlwiS5CUQ","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zISlwiS5CUQ/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

## Intro in Belarusian

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbawpX7xPfI","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gbawpX7xPfI/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

## Intro in Russian

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uKWInT6aPU","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2uKWInT6aPU/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

## 

In search of an ABC book for Eva, I found many options, but none met my "multilingual criteria". I was looking for a multilingual (as multilingual person) and aesthetically superior (as a book designer) alphabet book.

Working initially with five languages I sought words starting with the same letter across different languages. ChatGPT was significantly accelerating the process :).

The final book includes 24 languages:

**Arabic, Belarusian, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinise (Simplified), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian.**

A team of **48 native speakers** joined our Workspace to proofread the content.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F61bedfc1-7e58-44d7-b755-de95a1820944.png?alt=media&token=43945025-5052-4026-a601-0ccdcc66336a","id":"61bedfc1-7e58-44d7-b755-de95a1820944","width":3680,"height":2382,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 10.50.41.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Proofreading process in Miro (version 1.0 was printed as a sample). Currently We are working on version 1.2","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F487c1801-dac6-445f-92d3-eeca4a5b2b3b.png?alt=media&token=5e2ba9f2-9764-41c6-b932-afb2aa8500b1","id":"487c1801-dac6-445f-92d3-eeca4a5b2b3b","width":3680,"height":2382,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 10.50.46.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2Fff1a60f7-5078-42e8-91b2-172f08db275b.png?alt=media&token=0d5b3af9-583f-4b0e-a21d-fa045a43e615","id":"ff1a60f7-5078-42e8-91b2-172f08db275b","width":3680,"height":2382,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-23 at 11.37.29.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

### **Design**

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F084f1fc8-10ee-4b2d-a991-6aac310668fd.png?alt=media&token=3902384c-3df9-4989-8613-67faf7aef1ab","id":"084f1fc8-10ee-4b2d-a991-6aac310668fd","width":3424,"height":2455,"filename":"intro.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F894e5d8c-5e91-46c1-be37-8d97e7c3dbca.png?alt=media&token=4a1229fd-feed-4512-9a01-6e2e720f4612","id":"894e5d8c-5e91-46c1-be37-8d97e7c3dbca","width":3424,"height":2455,"filename":"A.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F4f98df95-bc15-491b-a390-ae7ddbd59c47.png?alt=media&token=36030675-eae2-4152-b159-2a61c32a40ed","id":"4f98df95-bc15-491b-a390-ae7ddbd59c47","width":3424,"height":2455,"filename":"B.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F0a225487-8fa0-4600-9c9e-9e64905085f6.png?alt=media&token=c05a2c0c-fc3c-47e4-a465-779e924b1c6c","id":"0a225487-8fa0-4600-9c9e-9e64905085f6","width":3424,"height":2455,"filename":"J.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F86ed2d37-0db6-4e12-a6ee-6c45cec38a91.png?alt=media&token=d446074d-e82f-40b0-bcf7-acd81eb47cce","id":"86ed2d37-0db6-4e12-a6ee-6c45cec38a91","width":3424,"height":2455,"filename":"Z.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebg_RjWpGy8","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ebg_RjWpGy8/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

*Testing PDF on iPAD*

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2Fa1b04c0b-5701-4cf0-aed0-38a88224c546.png?alt=media&token=b2841f8c-7e26-4438-bd9a-ba7a683a6c22","id":"a1b04c0b-5701-4cf0-aed0-38a88224c546","width":1988,"height":682,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-20 at 21.53.21.png","type":"image/png","caption":"How to change text to read right to left in Adobe InDesign","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2Fd911d143-7fb1-4b64-92fe-de9643a5f4c1.png?alt=media&token=d657d9e2-a508-4258-8fb5-bff1b38ed012","id":"d911d143-7fb1-4b64-92fe-de9643a5f4c1","width":2210,"height":1598,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-18 at 13.39.09.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Book cover layout","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F43f73ca9-ca0f-4bcd-b193-b4a524265f21.png?alt=media&token=d879db2c-78cb-47c7-aadd-f697382d789d","id":"43f73ca9-ca0f-4bcd-b193-b4a524265f21","width":3680,"height":2382,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-18 at 00.11.14.png","type":"image/png","caption":"The process of upscaling using Magnific AI web app","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F1972a78b-47a5-4c66-b296-2394afed2b2d.png?alt=media&token=8d978756-9598-4ace-8986-c5525ff45fb9","id":"1972a78b-47a5-4c66-b296-2394afed2b2d","width":3456,"height":2170,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-14 at 12.01.45.png","type":"image/png","caption":"One of first drafts where Eva proposed to use a cat illustrating \"YOGA\"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F6e04f8ed-e6a4-4dcf-92a5-f90b29cbcb84.png?alt=media&token=e2dd5b4e-21f3-42cc-8aea-b3a80636fb79","id":"6e04f8ed-e6a4-4dcf-92a5-f90b29cbcb84","width":3456,"height":2170,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-14 at 12.01.30.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Another image where Eva asked me to add a cat face to \"Astronaut\"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F2a7dd484-5c22-4771-9f20-963ca1c8a681.png?alt=media&token=cce5486b-72aa-45ab-96c9-0a3b0c961760","id":"2a7dd484-5c22-4771-9f20-963ca1c8a681","width":3680,"height":2360,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-04 at 23.25.39.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Initial project of ABC book while I was working only with 5 languages and with simple illustrations","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2F1ea9b2f1-787d-47f7-a60b-959510dfc5c2.png?alt=media&token=5ca0e07c-76d1-41c4-8714-9abbba302a3c","id":"1ea9b2f1-787d-47f7-a60b-959510dfc5c2","width":3428,"height":1538,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-01 at 20.46.24.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

White space — a rarity in children's book design. As a father, I appreciate the importance of such aesthetics. My goal was to create a book that was clean.

I reached out to linguists and educators experienced in teaching bilingual and multilingual children. Their feedback helped me to shape the book's core message:

**`There are many languages. Some are very similar. Some are very different.`**

This theme in multilingual environments teaching children about the fun of linguistic similarities and differences.

Multilingual children often develop reading and writing skills at a different pace. My daughter Eva and her friends were involved in the illustration process. This collaboration evolved from simple drawings to more complex designs, like cats in astronaut suits. We utilized AI tools.

For example, for the letter '**Z**,' we imagined a teenage cat visiting a **Zoo**, observing **Zebras**, and taking selfies. ChatGPT helped us to refine these concepts as prompts. Midjourney web app and Magnific AI web app became our tools in achieving high-resolution illustrations.

Originally created for Eva, two test copies were printed, later this book has become a cherished possession in our family. It stands as a testament to our humanity and the diverse ways we communicate and express ideas.

The book also contains a "Workbook" part where you can practise writing in different languages, scan QR-codes to find out how to generate these cats by yourself.

## Workbook spread in the end of the book

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2Fb69dffe3-4898-4e11-8250-db8c0526c1f4.png?alt=media&token=0bfa7ded-7396-4c93-9245-105ad8da7ac3","id":"b69dffe3-4898-4e11-8250-db8c0526c1f4","width":1916,"height":2256,"filename":"Screenshot 2024-01-21 at 00.17.53.png","type":"image/png","caption":"The book also contains a \"Workbook\" part where you can practise writing in different languages, scan QR-codes to find out how to generate these cats by yourself","border":false}]}
```

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1klodb8h04","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/c1klodb8h04/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

## **Kickstarter Campaign**

To bring this project to life, I aim to sell **300 copies** at **19 euros each**.

This will cover the costs of printing and distribution. [Purchase a copy](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/booko/abc-for-multilinguals) for yourself or as a gift, and help bring this unique multilingual ABC book to other families.

If I reach my goal of 300 sold copies, the book will be printed and shipped. If not, thanks to Kickstarter's policies, all funds will be returned.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Fabc-for-multilinguals%2Fc148ef99-7d13-447c-a309-09502c3c5262.jpg?alt=media&token=95943111-dcd2-4efd-b357-4a0ee88ad840","id":"c148ef99-7d13-447c-a309-09502c3c5262","width":3000,"height":2000,"filename":"two-books.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

[Link to campaign](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/booko/abc-for-multilinguals)

ABC for multilinguals

Creating a business as a family

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Funrealhands%2Fde16007f-9134-4341-8763-cb7c463f74f1.png?alt=media&token=3c5e8417-f8fd-4177-87ce-9c1790d60099","id":"de16007f-9134-4341-8763-cb7c463f74f1","width":3400,"height":1862,"filename":"TinyPNG Group 217 (1).png","type":"image/png","caption":"Main UI","border":false}]}
```

Project: [UnrealHands.com](http://unrealhands.com/)\
Role: Product Designer

Unrealhands is a web app which gives you a possibility to to create promotional images with couple of clicks, running on UnrealEngine and some AI in the background (but we still always get 5-fingers-hands).

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Funrealhands%2F3935ed40-f58b-4de9-b6b2-e150e5168a3a.png?alt=media&token=497790e9-cdd7-43cc-a475-e7b6213dae4a","id":"3935ed40-f58b-4de9-b6b2-e150e5168a3a","width":2166,"height":1488,"filename":"TinyPNG Group 214.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Pose selector","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Funrealhands%2F691a7d24-f977-4b14-a806-4737bc8278fd.png?alt=media&token=d10150d0-60da-4169-8724-b3403e9841ee","id":"691a7d24-f977-4b14-a806-4737bc8278fd","width":2140,"height":1490,"filename":"TinyPNG Group 209.png","type":"image/png","caption":"Background search","border":false}]}
```

Glad to work with a team of professionals that help to bring this idea to life.

Team: Ivan Baranov, Slava Mazai, Alexander Karchik, Gleb Titarenko

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2Funrealhands%2F3d709ca7-3cd7-4db4-a88d-2ffa55d7ed89.mp4?alt=media&token=aa2acd98-7f24-48b7-bc32-02e76cf96002","id":"3d709ca7-3cd7-4db4-a88d-2ffa55d7ed89","width":1920,"height":1080,"filename":"Background Change.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Unrealhands

Wait... What? Cake delivery after 4 years rocking in a rapidly developing IT company. How could it be? The answer is...

Because of LOVE.

In 2015 my wife and I faced a terrible challenge: we lost a child. It became a reason why I left my company. I wanted to join my wife in her passion: making beautiful pastries. Also, it became a reason why I decided to leave the country and realized that I want to move to the EU.

So here it is. For a year, I was a partner for my wife in her baking challenge and was helping to deliver her product to clients.

It sounds boring but it changed our life. Look what happened next.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2Fe4f1c7c7-09e0-44b8-bd9c-cf6c3e79047b.jpg?alt=media&token=7536de8e-d3cd-45e3-a302-535ff6e4eab0","id":"e4f1c7c7-09e0-44b8-bd9c-cf6c3e79047b","width":1080,"height":719,"filename":"14.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2Face86202-7146-4969-aa5a-fd8b3fe2c670.jpg?alt=media&token=3c69653f-3bbf-46fd-9fcd-43cff367b921","id":"ace86202-7146-4969-aa5a-fd8b3fe2c670","width":1080,"height":719,"filename":"15.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F3ca8528a-d74e-4d95-92f4-c37afdec2dc7.jpg?alt=media&token=001b837b-5496-46b7-a555-d66c3c251f21","id":"3ca8528a-d74e-4d95-92f4-c37afdec2dc7","width":1080,"height":1349,"filename":"01.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F5451e888-5773-42df-85c6-4172b976708f.jpg?alt=media&token=d5d1a125-74eb-4bef-9170-00d073f785be","id":"5451e888-5773-42df-85c6-4172b976708f","width":1080,"height":1080,"filename":"03.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"One more cake with a logo","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F9aaf0482-425b-4005-a669-099778875dda.jpg?alt=media&token=bd8d4704-98cb-40a4-a3a1-e0c4a05a42ce","id":"9aaf0482-425b-4005-a669-099778875dda","width":1080,"height":719,"filename":"13.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F982e935f-60ea-4120-bfde-9d8ba8ecf870.jpg?alt=media&token=f6ed1551-3929-4569-aa4e-2025682df1ea","id":"982e935f-60ea-4120-bfde-9d8ba8ecf870","width":1080,"height":1349,"filename":"02.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Delivering cakes","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F2b150d67-2fe1-4408-b144-692632677367.jpg?alt=media&token=5c981d8d-3b04-4024-b1db-029739fd0280","id":"2b150d67-2fe1-4408-b144-692632677367","width":696,"height":760,"filename":"05.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake from the event","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F9490f451-d063-4c20-bfa1-851dd8238f16.jpg?alt=media&token=c23d5f0b-9c47-4fc1-aab1-2321340683a0","id":"9490f451-d063-4c20-bfa1-851dd8238f16","width":1080,"height":719,"filename":"12.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F8ecb709c-5d7e-4ac4-aebd-b953a545c4f7.jpg?alt=media&token=7c7b1124-126b-4e7f-90c9-422037103a46","id":"8ecb709c-5d7e-4ac4-aebd-b953a545c4f7","width":1080,"height":719,"filename":"17.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"And one more","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F7c9e27a7-e5e5-40d7-8851-2f79a4718af9.jpg?alt=media&token=f794d59f-7eb1-4c1a-8988-59ea9a9b66fa","id":"7c9e27a7-e5e5-40d7-8851-2f79a4718af9","width":994,"height":1243,"filename":"18.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"And more","border":false}]}
```

After a year of making tons of cakes, and working in collaboration with big companies and agencies (f.ex. we made hundreds of kilos of cakes for Hewlett Packard), we decided to transform the creation of cakes into the creation of knowledge and provide hands-on courses for other people.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F2b4cc511-9c71-41b5-a496-f967f63d82c6.jpg?alt=media&token=c822351d-fa97-48d7-928c-89cbf5d2c853","id":"2b4cc511-9c71-41b5-a496-f967f63d82c6","width":1080,"height":810,"filename":"07.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Graduating part from the workshop, Minsk, 2016","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F510d58db-cba2-4d88-a0dd-d8aaf7aeedfc.jpg?alt=media&token=5ce35056-68de-4766-8c29-99eb4955d85e","id":"510d58db-cba2-4d88-a0dd-d8aaf7aeedfc","width":994,"height":1243,"filename":"20.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cake glazing, photo from the workshop, Sankt Petersburg, 2015","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2Fba63a5fe-22f9-4838-ae06-d81528deaf82.jpg?alt=media&token=62bded76-4413-4f90-aa09-4062a6aae95b","id":"ba63a5fe-22f9-4838-ae06-d81528deaf82","width":1080,"height":1080,"filename":"10.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Workshop, Minsk, 2016","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2Fa2074e52-9c8b-45a7-96af-b794de5055a0.jpg?alt=media&token=d1679118-b5a9-4b82-9cfd-7b0c319777f3","id":"a2074e52-9c8b-45a7-96af-b794de5055a0","width":1080,"height":810,"filename":"09.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Calligraphy on certificates made using letterpress printing","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F532bd086-1628-4490-b255-a6d9e79759e6.jpg?alt=media&token=675ffabe-a231-45cb-9e32-18d972313562","id":"532bd086-1628-4490-b255-a6d9e79759e6","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"04.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2F8ccba3f7-b14c-45d9-9f8d-eb3a97634e58.jpg?alt=media&token=82cb17bb-528c-4915-ba5d-8f75cb9c000c","id":"8ccba3f7-b14c-45d9-9f8d-eb3a97634e58","width":994,"height":1243,"filename":"19.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Graduated student, Sankt Petersburg, 2016","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FUae5KXnQ8p9GbeFEgvE5%2Fccdd9162-a9f2-4ebe-af86-98baa3b166af.jpg?alt=media&token=f70d50ea-f67e-4735-9270-5919439d9934","id":"ccdd9162-a9f2-4ebe-af86-98baa3b166af","width":1080,"height":810,"filename":"08.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Workshop, Minsk, 2016","border":false}]}
```

We organised three hands-on courses and realized that these courses should go online. That's fun but seven years ago making online courses wasn't as common thing as it is today.

So this is how my journey with cakes started.

The funniest thing is that while I was delivering cakes I made even more best friends than before. I met entrepreneurs and opened my eyes wider to the different and diversified world around me. Everyone eats cakes, you know (start-up founders, entrepreneurs, top managers).

It was another crazy year in my life when I tried to start to see myself as an entrepreneur. And we did it with my lovely wife (and partner), which was the best thing.

*Photography credits: [@lima\_academy](https://www.instagram.com/lima_academy/) (Instagram)*

Transforming to Entrepreneur

## "KUT", the book

I spent a year making a book about the country where I was born and raised.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F5923829b-d7ba-4f17-a8ab-18005e705f29.jpg?alt=media&token=ba5537d9-8b20-4be0-94a3-0f372d9f504d","id":"5923829b-d7ba-4f17-a8ab-18005e705f29","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"5E6F1735-1495-43EE-AC15-56C86FAE306D.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Faa1740a3-a196-4d7c-8036-45f7fd29d119.jpg?alt=media&token=36ee4cc2-7851-4c15-9141-0ae51121b88d","id":"aa1740a3-a196-4d7c-8036-45f7fd29d119","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"5B987989-A762-42D9-8394-C1E56E821862.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Fdcc53d9b-2bec-482e-b29a-b56f6ceda3dd.jpg?alt=media&token=2074f375-8a3b-4208-8c4a-6af16e3c3e2b","id":"dcc53d9b-2bec-482e-b29a-b56f6ceda3dd","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"162E106A-A5EA-45DB-AE01-F237101167FD.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Ff21bff80-3172-4ed7-920d-92270a6ac997.jpg?alt=media&token=1998e1f6-c117-4256-822d-1c05f8af1fec","id":"f21bff80-3172-4ed7-920d-92270a6ac997","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"B3A8C8B8-03A5-4CBE-B779-7BBAF61393D7.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Fd8679951-8872-4688-bd70-6ee0ffb3d489.jpg?alt=media&token=2e7f3103-67bb-46cc-8988-c4a1a3aab14f","id":"d8679951-8872-4688-bd70-6ee0ffb3d489","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"6BCD4B10-3BB5-486C-A42F-E8C4F4E76D6B.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F77e20ea0-ffb4-4ff7-95cc-d8787127c59d.jpg?alt=media&token=1aa9bf8c-4710-4233-a2dc-71d3c141370b","id":"77e20ea0-ffb4-4ff7-95cc-d8787127c59d","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"A1970A00-94B6-48A5-A685-D76E5529FD59.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F62fb51d5-5a7f-448e-bf29-13f3c558efde.jpg?alt=media&token=3ec5f9be-db3b-449c-9088-06f7cd80dd2e","id":"62fb51d5-5a7f-448e-bf29-13f3c558efde","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"C5886443-A8EC-4B9E-8744-FEDAC6D6F2A6.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F6ec3760d-5673-4aa8-a18f-58947bfb306d.jpg?alt=media&token=5653ed1c-bf6f-4b88-9bde-0f96d6148cb2","id":"6ec3760d-5673-4aa8-a18f-58947bfb306d","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"48E2678D-3DE4-43F9-AB2E-D07CB79B135A.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Fc49eb057-f3c9-4ca5-b9ab-cba0fe660cfe.jpg?alt=media&token=5310d0fc-c1bf-4846-8480-5d749c1508a7","id":"c49eb057-f3c9-4ca5-b9ab-cba0fe660cfe","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"2CDC48FB-0BD6-4C20-9927-AD9123DFCEF5.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

### **KUT means ‘a nook’, or a cosy corner that brings back warm memories and feelings.**

I did it not for money, but for a simple idea: share the love to the place I am from. Actually also I fell in love with the content of this project: with the photos and stories of two photographers and friends. Also because I knew that I would do something useful and significant.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Ffbd68347-1421-4efe-90d7-7bebaf6fb651.jpg?alt=media&token=37125ff5-a038-4578-9e99-faaac75ad6ab","id":"fbd68347-1421-4efe-90d7-7bebaf6fb651","width":4000,"height":2642,"filename":"E7B7596D-8164-4C16-844B-0C04E0357ACF.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

### I knew that I will make this book **beautiful**.

That I won't let anyone to do anything not beautiful in this project. I knew that I'll redesign it for 1000 times if needed. I knew that I won’t eat, I won’t sleep, but I’ll finish this book.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F8e9e8490-613d-45fd-a061-70c9572bed5a.jpg?alt=media&token=5b45f925-ea73-4f4a-b17c-fe51b1161ac8","id":"8e9e8490-613d-45fd-a061-70c9572bed5a","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"7ACBAFAF-EA03-426A-BB47-E8EE914F9F37.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F4bc7ac08-68f7-4cd5-9543-540e2156c13c.jpg?alt=media&token=3925832c-5645-4f79-aec9-de5a69f5f65c","id":"4bc7ac08-68f7-4cd5-9543-540e2156c13c","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"4DEAA1A0-892E-413F-B522-AA0C4BB072BD.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F46a53092-2737-40ea-878b-b072aa3c3325.jpg?alt=media&token=35c47a49-d9eb-4708-8750-1a4b5e15ce81","id":"46a53092-2737-40ea-878b-b072aa3c3325","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"333BE6EE-B287-4242-BF07-0C69A106BF07.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Ff7dd4f4a-f9c8-41bf-9b98-53a3b92ab8a4.jpg?alt=media&token=de346b75-9554-40e6-a33b-4f7c96ddcb80","id":"f7dd4f4a-f9c8-41bf-9b98-53a3b92ab8a4","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"94255F28-3DFA-4D6A-842C-28F5B103951F.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F181965a7-ab87-47b2-8193-c5ed31fe6772.jpg?alt=media&token=98004cb4-7e80-492b-af24-8c06b112e5b8","id":"181965a7-ab87-47b2-8193-c5ed31fe6772","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"C1ECBBC1-D211-4578-825B-6CA2DEB7718F.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2Fd67343c9-1e0d-4e5e-89c6-f728bbe23536.jpg?alt=media&token=b3adf4fa-2c2e-4d11-a7aa-f225583c079d","id":"d67343c9-1e0d-4e5e-89c6-f728bbe23536","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"20543A96-3287-452D-8D70-55CB95E9F3FF.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F5a3659e5-c60b-4a06-b8a4-c363d09a54ff.jpg?alt=media&token=0623a392-2625-493c-bd56-7615ad37fc7c","id":"5a3659e5-c60b-4a06-b8a4-c363d09a54ff","width":1440,"height":1800,"filename":"2E232ED6-EAE1-4558-AC07-AF9E23CFCC44.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

## There was no such book. But we all (Belarusian people) really need it.

Explore the book:

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFDl_pgwS-8","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZFDl_pgwS-8/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

*[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFDl_pgwS-8)*

Thanks everyone who supported and to everyone who will support in the future, I love you all.

* Authors of the book: Slava Mazai Aliaksei Uhalnikau

* Editor: Olga Polevikova

* I am the designer.

* (And many more people who helped make this happen)

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FWZUGWSXqaNWhBZUG2ocT%2F0f5fad84-9fed-4ebf-919c-1f4df558ef0b.jpg?alt=media&token=9b9b59bf-d662-4912-8656-272170298452","id":"0f5fad84-9fed-4ebf-919c-1f4df558ef0b","width":6000,"height":4000,"filename":"E916EFB7-56CD-4F7F-B3C1-B5BB303F65B8.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Slava (the book author) holding a sample of the book","border":false}]}
```

The book is on pre-sale on the website <https://kut.pub/>

Also I recommend to watch the movie about making this book. It shows some details about its content and the story behind the authors.

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lipuqagI9Qs","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lipuqagI9Qs/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

*[Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lipuqagI9Qs)*

Inspired by Belarusian protests and the pro-democracy movement of 2020 musical band Naviband and the musical chorus Volny Chor (literally "Chorus of Freedom") created a song which replicated a song from the movie "The Hanging Tree".

Unexpectedly for me, Naviband proposed to make a music video for the song.

It was a very challenging adventure for me because I faced about 30+ people (most of them I can't mention, as they are activists in danger).

The challenging task was to organise them together and... Just go and "make a music video".

I found an inspiring place which I thought should be good for the reason. I made a concept of the action. Then I bought smoke bombs from the football fans' store in white and red colours (colours of the flag used by the Belarusian national movement). I planned the action, filmed it and then edited and post-process the final music video.

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgE11oEU9CA","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QgE11oEU9CA/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

It was released [on the Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgE11oEU9CA) of the band.

The funniest thing for me is that the band was travelling with a professional documental filming group which was making a documentary about them. And both (the filming action and me) accidentally became a part of this film-in-making. And in this documentary, I am behaving as a film director :). But in reality, I was a shy and nervous guy doing all of this for the first time in my life.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FZZPDxPxNNoCHBTmbSwW9%2F207e813d-c2f9-4ba8-8e01-d199c526bcb7.mp4?alt=media&token=3f2da6ad-7fd3-40fc-b8ba-282a19656383","id":"207e813d-c2f9-4ba8-8e01-d199c526bcb7","width":720,"height":1280,"filename":"-5163745016204446505.MP4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Backstage video","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FZZPDxPxNNoCHBTmbSwW9%2F49adaec4-6586-4894-8594-d314eb89d698.jpg?alt=media&token=3defb177-afaf-4652-a493-e509afc937d5","id":"49adaec4-6586-4894-8594-d314eb89d698","width":960,"height":1280,"filename":"IMG_0459.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Stage photo","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FZZPDxPxNNoCHBTmbSwW9%2F20c9fb0c-3794-40fc-896e-c8ce2c8432b5.mp4?alt=media&token=0ec881df-ae9a-4e17-bcd8-4506c47d3f0f","id":"20c9fb0c-3794-40fc-896e-c8ce2c8432b5","width":720,"height":1280,"filename":"2335973167140362452.MP4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Another backstage video","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FZZPDxPxNNoCHBTmbSwW9%2F550bd32a-aad7-4645-8074-fe6ba274ddc0.jpg?alt=media&token=66a899f9-2a33-4509-b157-53a0b9413dfd","id":"550bd32a-aad7-4645-8074-fe6ba274ddc0","width":1280,"height":907,"filename":"IMG_0458.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Screenshot from editing in Final Cut Pro X","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FZZPDxPxNNoCHBTmbSwW9%2F64fc4727-6be3-4296-b649-b1c8f0fbaaff.jpg?alt=media&token=d0f9bdfa-aa17-4a8d-aa5f-95d825c3881a","id":"64fc4727-6be3-4296-b649-b1c8f0fbaaff","width":1280,"height":720,"filename":"IMG_2455.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Frame from the video","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FZZPDxPxNNoCHBTmbSwW9%2F26094464-c6df-4a7b-a004-e962d000f7b7.jpg?alt=media&token=912b3123-bc6b-46d4-87e0-1ee183df06ec","id":"26094464-c6df-4a7b-a004-e962d000f7b7","width":1280,"height":720,"filename":"IMG_4084.JPG","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Another frame","border":false}]}
```

This project pushed me to self-improvement in video production. With help of real professionals, I revised my filming skills and the gear I use.

I love this project for meeting extremely inspiring activists fighting for the value of freedom and democracy.

*Backstage credits: Artem Lukjanenko*

Getting a Film Director experience

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F0e13cfe2-3bd0-4486-8b9c-abb464d8c56b.mp4?alt=media&token=1724c642-a508-4c81-a2ca-4302f80f2437","id":"0e13cfe2-3bd0-4486-8b9c-abb464d8c56b","width":720,"height":900,"filename":"127156773_773792513217872_6998256237387534120_n.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"Sample of the updated book with different kinds of paper used and coloured edge","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fc8e5845f-35ab-4649-ae3f-fd54c0a7d58a.jpg?alt=media&token=9d33af4d-2649-43e3-95c7-18fe2736f9ea","id":"c8e5845f-35ab-4649-ae3f-fd54c0a7d58a","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"07.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Front cover","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F0abb2539-6d6b-4b96-853a-7828960850ba.jpg?alt=media&token=381a42b7-9817-4ac3-b177-7092683339cb","id":"0abb2539-6d6b-4b96-853a-7828960850ba","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"10.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

*Pralinarium, edition 2. Published: August 2019, 412 pages, 20.7×28.8×2.6 cm. 1530 photos inside. Full-colour printing. Hardcover. English. ISBN 978-8-3954578-0-7. Price: 99 EUR*

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F4517882d-b3d0-468f-9d10-59d7f3728d1c.jpg?alt=media&token=9cd50c5d-c8ae-47fb-944e-68a3c6230f6f","id":"4517882d-b3d0-468f-9d10-59d7f3728d1c","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"74694524_132519077732725_2754327194519480240_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Cover options, thicker paper, design updates","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fe7dae95f-6287-4861-9988-242f55b5c995.mp4?alt=media&token=d2ad4922-2af1-4336-8186-137406651bdc","id":"e7dae95f-6287-4861-9988-242f55b5c995","width":720,"height":900,"filename":"104123100_1395762183966927_8578828286108656807_n.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fc44a484c-5d29-42d7-b6db-11618d66c601.jpg?alt=media&token=ef3879cf-7abf-471d-9c08-b8e34cc1c982","id":"c44a484c-5d29-42d7-b6db-11618d66c601","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"75208752_107580847281048_8354182093886958760_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F895c6473-d639-4262-92af-f064e8bce916.jpg?alt=media&token=b4658fb8-600b-4e21-bc8f-ce4b9b999679","id":"895c6473-d639-4262-92af-f064e8bce916","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"82954806_178332916975547_2514282514640734525_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fb9972ddd-a53f-4308-8124-ee43494dcc64.jpg?alt=media&token=7b6a678d-c11c-40a7-b224-20fa98e812ea","id":"b9972ddd-a53f-4308-8124-ee43494dcc64","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"84100759_696259911159545_6379010444313949912_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fb9c8dc93-687e-423b-b46c-19332ed69ac4.jpg?alt=media&token=8337e0e2-af0e-4764-9fbe-1161499ef0a2","id":"b9c8dc93-687e-423b-b46c-19332ed69ac4","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"103271487_685241918999615_1133252495545802956_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F0aa31e0b-fb3b-4277-b731-b7010bf18ee7.jpg?alt=media&token=a856e27b-b588-4eb6-a634-5b0412cbcd40","id":"0aa31e0b-fb3b-4277-b731-b7010bf18ee7","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"103797770_2801807363280926_2339025092125695909_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F00b3ac7f-a489-45fa-aea9-022731049e58.jpg?alt=media&token=24f60ceb-7444-4dff-81a5-452dffbfeac3","id":"00b3ac7f-a489-45fa-aea9-022731049e58","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"103940308_149081216716408_6474100104199388853_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F6218c3d5-1d6a-488c-bff9-0d7154d2e669.jpg?alt=media&token=cf114a28-eafa-4fa5-80ad-1cdd4e9698ba","id":"6218c3d5-1d6a-488c-bff9-0d7154d2e669","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"104062524_265847117861456_5862032776181489535_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fd6dc3e10-0fd3-4bfc-88be-29e6ad14c821.jpg?alt=media&token=cf4413cd-2f12-4b61-9759-bcd7eb40e80a","id":"d6dc3e10-0fd3-4bfc-88be-29e6ad14c821","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"104169916_308481310158455_6862887018278278119_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F9b868a8b-752a-4fdd-b138-8675c093853c.jpg?alt=media&token=4bdd8b56-1d3f-4ba9-b5cb-5453eef6cbd6","id":"9b868a8b-752a-4fdd-b138-8675c093853c","width":1080,"height":1348,"filename":"104247821_554619311887005_93453778176541732_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F7994d3af-ac10-449c-ad2a-8706afad1bbe.jpg?alt=media&token=9407b426-d76c-48b7-9411-20d1cdb1ff25","id":"7994d3af-ac10-449c-ad2a-8706afad1bbe","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"104321043_3078925018856508_4733981934092697278_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

*Pralinarium, edition 3. Published: November 2019. ISBN (Edition 3 Gold) 978-83-954578-2-1. Full-colour printing. Hardcover w/ soft touch. English. Price: 99 EUR*

After [selling out the first book in 20 minutes](https://buko.works/xf9vkNsOQg6cjn8jfP8G) I faced three main problems:

* logistic difficulties,

* the question of how to save the hype on the product,

* lack of desire from distributors to be involved in the Drop model,

**Logistic difficulties**

As you can read in the first part we send the first 310 books by hand from our apartment and I call it "logistic difficulties".

So I found a logistic partner, a warehouse. The process was automated. It took about 3 months and sending 600 more books to make the process work "smooth". I was working on synchronization and automatisation of workflow. The e-commerce was synchronized with logistic software systems. The packaging was synchronized with the warehouse.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fcc35b54a-c637-48f8-805e-53ebd20180c3.jpg?alt=media&token=baced199-2c34-4a3c-8d5f-22759a86b25f","id":"cc35b54a-c637-48f8-805e-53ebd20180c3","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"16.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Me at warehouse facility supplying packaging materials","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F2c796f51-a9fc-4748-b2ee-10e5eb8668ee.jpg?alt=media&token=ce0b99e7-6ba5-45fc-a718-f5f59f4cbac0","id":"2c796f51-a9fc-4748-b2ee-10e5eb8668ee","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"17.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"The truck I rented to solve supplying issues","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F36f50406-48da-41ae-bf92-8fcd26d11354.jpg?alt=media&token=fe36f378-4127-424b-a815-10c22f3c16c5","id":"36f50406-48da-41ae-bf92-8fcd26d11354","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"19.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"I received some samples of boxes to find the best one to fit the product","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F049c2b33-dd70-45c6-b1af-3cf1fc13e13a.jpg?alt=media&token=55c77cdc-59b5-4e13-a0b8-396e67121da2","id":"049c2b33-dd70-45c6-b1af-3cf1fc13e13a","width":1080,"height":1349,"filename":"22.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"I designed the custom boxes for the books","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F4298d4fc-a8c0-41f1-b425-69d34e426267.jpg?alt=media&token=0acace20-5d62-4126-9762-a255f1f187ac","id":"4298d4fc-a8c0-41f1-b425-69d34e426267","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"76893573_157027888888694_4661174845696992584_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"Me at warehouse checking if the books packaged well or not","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F949e872a-d75f-408d-b74b-df3a33303d10.jpg?alt=media&token=8f612fe6-c1d9-4a32-a8e1-aed585ff449d","id":"949e872a-d75f-408d-b74b-df3a33303d10","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"24.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"\"If you know you know\"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fcef7a27d-dea5-4e9c-9fe6-b38888754afa.jpg?alt=media&token=7ebec094-219f-4b2d-bc70-8598e2fe1f65","id":"cef7a27d-dea5-4e9c-9fe6-b38888754afa","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"25.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"A lot of details are everywhere","border":false}]}
```

I had a few wild issues:

* one time I needed to rent a truck and deliver some needed materials in 24H to the warehouse myself,

* one time \~200 books were stuck in between the warehouse and DHL Express without the right papers and customers were telephoning me as we have no client support desk,

* one time I needed to go to Cargo Airport and pick up some parcels which contained "too much" (it exceeds the custom limits for China), etc.

**Saving the hype**

To save the hype the most important thing was to produce not too much. The goal was to stay "sold out" all the time.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F674347fa-dc44-4ded-b65f-a3abbb4da3bd.jpg?alt=media&token=5654acd5-74ef-4068-93a1-67e079a16274","id":"674347fa-dc44-4ded-b65f-a3abbb4da3bd","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"04.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Ff48640d8-48bb-443f-b694-63489f753ae8.mp4?alt=media&token=82870f3c-fc39-41a4-a19c-e736e2f69e27","id":"f48640d8-48bb-443f-b694-63489f753ae8","width":720,"height":1280,"filename":"10000000_2580778755541708_3348780496411395915_n.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fbefdcce9-705d-41f1-8b4b-5fdeb571e6d8.jpg?alt=media&token=1084ed56-9bc0-4c44-b22d-c72300dfe5e9","id":"befdcce9-705d-41f1-8b4b-5fdeb571e6d8","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"05.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F7056fae3-f810-482f-a25b-ca530d34deca.jpg?alt=media&token=2982727a-b6f4-41f4-ba7f-fd44985bd389","id":"7056fae3-f810-482f-a25b-ca530d34deca","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"06.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F5bb10045-cafe-40fd-a897-8848df8baafe.jpg?alt=media&token=df11b0d5-92cf-474b-a131-d1db1be25b40","id":"5bb10045-cafe-40fd-a897-8848df8baafe","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"12.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fcd243bda-1163-4f53-949a-c0fabc6f66d6.jpg?alt=media&token=0a979a80-e751-4c53-89d6-e1c20d35efe4","id":"cd243bda-1163-4f53-949a-c0fabc6f66d6","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"14.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F68634992-a37e-4639-a23f-470ef4ef2013.jpg?alt=media&token=4a37c7a9-d6d1-4ae1-a158-06f987755cee","id":"68634992-a37e-4639-a23f-470ef4ef2013","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"15.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2Fababbfe2-e47d-450c-afae-02c4f084b177.jpg?alt=media&token=32fbc8d6-d384-4d0b-98c7-fbca8f6d085a","id":"ababbfe2-e47d-450c-afae-02c4f084b177","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"16.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FpFhPeccOm4JOdihCpLkH%2F397aee10-2db1-4f07-894c-46ea26330ef6.jpg?alt=media&token=a2d1971c-f238-4fcf-8871-a33a47faa8e5","id":"397aee10-2db1-4f07-894c-46ea26330ef6","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"67538026_420164175276702_711355642115232286_n.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

Other things were mostly about designing the hype. I redesigned the packaging, I redesigned the book, I changed all the materials used in production, I made the book two times bigger, I added different covers, and I added different shipping options to make shipping cheaper.

**Involving the distributors**

I also remember how everyone was looking at me when I was describing my goals and tasks. Like when I said that I need to send 600 books in one day and I CAN'T GET PRE-ORDERS because it is DROP MODEL. Eyes were telling me: "What? What are you talking about? Are you crazy or what?"

It took some time before others started to believe that the drop model can work. In about 6 months I even saw in some business publics that it became an "official" way to sell and promote the products.

The same thing was with distributors. I had requests from big distributors for selling the book using a regular distributing model: I share distributor (publishing houses, manufacturers, stores) discount and the distributor sell the book at the same price I do. I proposed another way: I proposed to get the needed amount of books before the drop and resell it later using higher prices. Like buyers do. Like sneaker lovers do. I was pushing this idea and I even had some successes in it: some distributors were fighting for books using very small distributor discounts just to get these books in their stock.

But in the end, I can say that I failed it. I accepted the regular model of distributing.

When I published the third edition, I imagined another big thing: what if the book will have augmented reality and video content inside, like in Harry Potter Movies?

❤️

*This project is a part of the bigger story of how I became an independent publisher, you can read it here 👇🏼*

*[Becoming an Independent Publisher](https://buko.works/E7XB1JNnll01QMPHFxK4)*

Saving the hype

```cv
gallery
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```

Another impressive jump in my book production is connected with the idea "Never stop rethinking".

I was thinking about the AR feature: when you point the mobile phone camera at the image and see the "living picture" like in movies about Harry Potter. I would be honest... Firstly, I thought it won't be so difficult to make it real. Such a simple feature!

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FtKEAPP5HnrNLSI6Q9ujV%2F0e5cccfd-4751-44fb-b0b3-9839f2bdc99d.jpg?alt=media&token=4fb57526-73db-4d20-8c07-fd2837706a87","id":"0e5cccfd-4751-44fb-b0b3-9839f2bdc99d","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"14.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FtKEAPP5HnrNLSI6Q9ujV%2F74a2e524-e837-46e7-afc9-405f49e60043.mp4?alt=media&token=f90d2594-404c-42fd-95da-3d5eddbf4fae","id":"74a2e524-e837-46e7-afc9-405f49e60043","width":720,"height":900,"filename":"201472917_156477739846625_5106676591996862044_n.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FtKEAPP5HnrNLSI6Q9ujV%2Fb2181a80-3375-4354-9b39-34aeb6faf436.jpg?alt=media&token=14465f25-7f10-4495-8cfb-1bd86c42a0c4","id":"b2181a80-3375-4354-9b39-34aeb6faf436","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"29.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FtKEAPP5HnrNLSI6Q9ujV%2Fdd9f3e8e-d916-4c63-a08c-fc1b86c39df6.mp4?alt=media&token=52aaf7dd-67bd-4a87-97c6-e7caa2e025a5","id":"dd9f3e8e-d916-4c63-a08c-fc1b86c39df6","width":720,"height":900,"filename":"202669199_972173720206313_3292407808718873055_n.mp4","type":"video/mp4","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FtKEAPP5HnrNLSI6Q9ujV%2F021029bd-1935-458d-9626-2ed1597f4236.jpg?alt=media&token=bd837a8f-cff9-4940-91ca-bd583b383cf3","id":"021029bd-1935-458d-9626-2ed1597f4236","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"30.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false},{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2FuLxwy0w0jSQSnNt0Gg80PeIdkpk2%2FtKEAPP5HnrNLSI6Q9ujV%2F0ae65ecb-c25e-47ae-a30d-5337d51424f7.jpg?alt=media&token=1b290d9d-2602-43ff-9fb0-ec5c19adc5a4","id":"0ae65ecb-c25e-47ae-a30d-5337d51424f7","width":1080,"height":1350,"filename":"46.jpg","type":"image/jpeg","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

I had all the content: photos for AR targets, video-content to show in augmented reality. I just need to make it works!

In reality, it took \~6 months to make it real.

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://youtu.be/lJNHS5dW8Bg","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lJNHS5dW8Bg/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

*In the video, I am talking about the whole project and some specific aspects of my work on the fourth edition with augmented reality*

I tried different ways, but in the end, I found [a partner start-up called Visionar](https://www.visionar.com) developing its project for the same purpose and sharing SDK for creating mobile applications. I used it to release [my iOS app named the same way as the book](https://apps.apple.com/md/app/pralinarium/id1490413849).

After testing, I found that to make the book usable with AR it should be redesigned. Because targets can't be small, they should be larger to use easily. I redesigned the book one more time. It became a giant. But I love it.

```cv
gallery
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```

I like to showcase this book and show how AR works to other people. When people see it, they are acting like "WOW, HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, THAT'S MIND-BLOWING".

I love the final edition of the project I started. Later I used the same technology, SDK and app in the next bookset, published a year later.

```cv
youtube
{"url":"https://youtu.be/jtEkYDC4oOo","width":200,"height":113,"thumbnail":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jtEkYDC4oOo/hqdefault.jpg"}
```

*In this video, you can see the design of the spreads of the book*

❤️

*This project is a part of the bigger story of how I became an independent publisher, you can read it here 👇🏼*

*[Becoming an Independent Publisher](https://buko.works/E7XB1JNnll01QMPHFxK4)*

Adding augmented reality to the book

Making the very first book

[My wife](https://www.instagram.com/lililoveme/) started to write her book in 2019. At the same time, I started to design it. In 2021, two years later, I finally published it.

```cv
gallery
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```

It is giant and unique. I hold it in my hands, but I still can't believe that it could be real.

Named "Lili" (from my wife's nickname @lililoveme) bookset includes four books. The first "autobiography" book was so big (\~1000 pages in total), so we split it into three volumes.

The last book is a cookbook including all the recipes mentioned in the autobiography. It follows the story of how my wife grew up from an IT job to a well-known pastry chef and culinary influencer.

Book shares the story, including inspiring moments and terrible things she faced. It describes how it influenced her.

Following the cookbook, you can get the same culinary experience @lililoveme had. Autobiography inspires you, the cookbook gives you the possibility to learn from her.

```cv
gallery
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```

The design is limitless. If you make a book about your life, I believe it should not follow any rules. It should not react to any limits. You can do it the way YOU WANT, the way YOU LIKE. Anyway.

The final project is something between a fashion magazine, a kids magazine and an art-gallery catalogue. As the book is also something in between it :).

I started to work on the project myself in 2019. After a year of work, I realised it is too big for one person. I was working on other publications we had in 2021 at the same time.

I moved to an art-director position in the process of work.

With my wife, we created a competition for the position of book designer for this project. We found a great one in a day.

The book was printed and published as a set of e-books.

E-books were sold more than 1000 times in the very first month. They became our best sellers.

```cv
gallery
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```

❤️

*This project is a part of the bigger story of how I became an independent publisher, you can read it here 👇🏼*

*[Becoming an Independent Publisher](https://buko.works/E7XB1JNnll01QMPHFxK4)*