Brief
In June 2025, a friend who is active with Cheep Trills Community Choir noticed they were asking for volunteers to help make props for their upcoming musical, Community Choir: the Musical. Having enjoyed making props at uni, I signed up and volunteered to make 9 fake textbooks. I also offered to cover 5 of the ten grey cubes that were to serve various functions throughout the performance.
Deliverables
9 fake textbooks in various shades of brown, cream, and black. 5 grey fabric cubes half covered with brightly coloured fabric.
Tools and programs
Using Tinkercad, I designed a simple stencil that said ‘Text Book’, as well as an extraordinarily simple gluuing jig that helped glue parts of the fake books at 90 degree angles. These designs were then 3d printed on my printer and I published the gluuing jig file on Printables so that other people may use it as they need.
Design process
I examined my personal collection of books and looked at which ones could pass as textbooks. After taking numerous measurements, I designed the books so there was an obvious ‘cover’ and slightly smaller ‘pages’. The books were cut out of bookbinders board that I already owned, and the inside joints where glued together with pva glue and reinforced with sewing pattern paper that I had on hand. This glue and paper combination was strong, flexible and somewhat translucent when dried.
I glued and painted the outside covers and inside text blocks separately, then attached them carefully using the abovementioned paper and glue mix. Up close the books look janky and imperfect. However, as these props were briefly seen for the shortest period, and from a minimum of 9 metres away, any noticeable rough edges or discolouration were effectively invisible.
The director, Belinda Raisin, was beyond thrilled with the books, believing them to be of far better quality than she expected. I had the privilege of watching a full dress rehearsal and it was an absolute highlight to see the props on stage, albeit for such a brief period. Community Theatre: the Musical sold out its tickets in record time, and the overall experience was super fun and positive, and hopefully something I’ll do again soon.
Results
sallybaxtergraphicdesigner.com 