Co-Designer Caleigh Cleary

Over the spring and summer semester of 2024, The Teaching Press has been hard at work on our latest project, Home Again and Again, written by Dr. Ann Gentry Recine and Louis Recine. This book is a self-help memoir highlighting the importance of finding and fostering the idea of “home” to lead a happy and fulfilled life.

With this project, The Teaching Press has employed two designers: longtime book designer Emily Heling, and newcomer Caleigh Cleary. What was the experience like for a first-time Teaching Press designer? Project Manager Allie Wendricks asked Caleigh all about it!     

Caleigh, what is your major, and what year of school are you in?

I am majoring in Environmental Engineering Technologies and Environmental Science, minoring in the Design Arts. I will be in my 4th year of undergrad in the fall.

What initially drew you to designing for the Teaching Press?

My best friend, Emily Heling, who I co-designed this book with. I got to see her working on so many titles that the Teaching Press has put out these past few years and it seemed really interesting! Now here I am!

As a first-time book designer, how would you say this overall experience has been?

Very busy and ever-changing. Since starting on this project last spring semester my roles have changed in many ways. I went from brainstorming design ideas and creating the cover to designing a large majority of the interior of Home Again and Again. I had minimal experience prior to this about how a book is designed and typeset (I had created a book for a past employer that was very simplistic and minimal design work and had some design classes.)

I asked questions when it came to layout to Dr. Meacham and referred to the internet when trying to learn how to do things more efficiently in Adobe InDesign (the software we use to layout our books.)

Example before and after images of design elements for book. Top picture is the before, bottom picture is the finalized design in the book

I would say overall, this process has been very rewarding. I take a lot of pride in the work that I do, and I have worked through many versions of the book to get it where it is today. When deadlines were moved or solidified, I made sure we were meeting them. It has taught me a lot, and I am so thankful for it.

This book features illustrations, icons, and recipes formatted as recipe cards. From a design standpoint, what was most challenging about designing Home Again and Again?

Probably trying to get the recipe card design to be visually correct. When our first printed proof arrived, we had to revisit the look of them. Another challenging part of designing Home Again and Again was that a lot of the edits and changes weren’t actually to the design of the book, but rather the text within. So, changing grammar mistakes or correcting sentences so that they matched our style guide, then moving the elements of design to fit the space.

What has been the most rewarding part of this process?

Getting to hold the physical copy of the book. I have stared at the virtual version for so long that it was just so surreal to have it in front of me. Feeling the matte cover and smelling that new book smell made this whole process worth it.

How has working for The Teaching Press been for you?

Manuscript cover of Home Again and Again.

Great! I think it has allowed me to grow as a designer tremendously. I was always open to others critiquing the book as I wanted Home Again and Again to be the best it could be and my partners at the Teaching Press delivered. I was so glad that I was able to ask so many questions of Dr. Meacham and have her so readily available. This process has taught me how to handle tough situations professionally while maintaining your self-worth.

What do you think is the most important thing you have learned/ taken away from this process?

Believe in your work and yourself. Then, advocate for it!

Cover of published book, Home Again and Again

Do you think the skills you’ve learned while working for the press will benefit you in your future career?

Yes, one hundred percent. Whether I am in the field of design, engineering, or science I will be working with clients. Knowing how to run meetings, communicate, and stick to a schedule is not just something that you deal with at the Teaching Press. I also think the physical skills I learned while designing the book will come in handy if I ever decide to pursue the Design Arts more regularly.

Home Again and Again: Recollections, Stories, Guideposts by Dr. Ann Gentry Recine and Louis Recine is set to launch on August 10th at @ Roots Art and Wine Gallery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Dotters Books will be taking pre-orders at the August 10 launch event, and via their website.

For more information on Home Again and Again: Recollections, Stories, Guideposts by: Dr. Ann Gentry Recine and Louis Recine, author interviews, or event details, please contact the author.