Wednesday 23 October 2013

RULES OF SUMMER App goes live (Australia)




 The Rules of Summer app, developed concurrently with the publication of the picture book of the same title, is launched today and will be available for Australian readers, with other territories to follow as the book is subsequently published overseas. What kind of app is this, and how is it different from the book? Both are adaptations of a series of large, unscripted paintings that form a visual narrative about two boys, but each form represents quite different reading experience. While I think there will never be a substitute for the charm and appeal of a physical picture book (especially a large format one like Rules of Summer), the app offers an extra depth of detail as users are able to zoom in and out of a canvas, courtesy of high-resolution photography and clever image compression and design by the Melbourne-based studio behind the app, Wheelbarrow. I also worked closely with an experimental sound artist and composer from New York, Sxip Shirey, whose surrealist soundtrack perfectly suits the intimate browsing of these mysterious pictures. The executive producer on the project, Sophie Byrne, was also the producer behind The Lost Thing; Tim Kentley of XYZ Studios (of which Wheelbarrow is a part) is the artistic director.

The app also includes a  sketch mode where you can see some of my concept and developmental drawings, which may be of particular interest to anyone with an interest in illustration (I'm a big fan of these kinds of features myself).

For more info, reviews and appstore link, go here.

7 comments:

  1. hi Shaun.
    Will this app be available in other formats, e.g. PC? my wife has non-apple smart phone but small screen of course..!
    or perhaps the music available separately?
    already got my copy of the hardback book on its way for my birthday :-)

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  2. As far as I know, it's only for iPad. It may work on a phone, but it's not ideal as you say, because of the small screen. I don't think the music is available separately so far. Any queries are best directed to Wheelbarrow, who know far more about the technical side of things than I do! Happy birthday too :)

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    1. good old Sxip replied straight away to my email... he'll be releasing his music (through 'bandcamp'..?), so at least i'll be able to listen to that while i'm enjoying your paper book. cheers!

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  3. Just downloaded this for my 2 and a half year old as she's already as obsessed with The Arrival and The Lost Thing (which she calls 'Big Red'). Thank you for allowing her imagination to thrive through literature and apps that aren't dumbed down and/or sugar coated. Already on her way to be your biggest fan!!

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  4. Hello! With whom we shold contact to ask about possibility to add polish language to that amazing app?
    I would be grateful for any help.

    Szymon Holcman from kultura gniewu publishing house, publisher of your books in Poland.

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    1. Thanks for asking, and for your interest. The best person to get in touch with is Sophie Byrne, sophie@passion-pictures.com.au. Thanks for publishing my books too, the Polish ediitons look great!

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