Hi there, I'm Justin, and I'm the writer behind this creative project.

I believe that we need a strong and thriving creative commons. We deserve a world where strong communities are built on shared ideas and where information is equitably shared. Culture should never be accessible only to those well heeled enough to be able to pay for it.

Endpapers is my effort to help build that world. It's the vehicle through which I am contributing to the commons. My curiosity runs deep, and I have ideas traversing technology, history, design, etiquette, botany, biography, and skills such as sewing or paper craft.

I write to remind others of the rich tapestry of the world, so that problems seem smaller, enemies less powerful, and the future filled with hope for better days. My work is led by 4 core values. These act as the compass that guides my work and decisions for the project:

1. Made by human hands. My work is made with care for the process, not just the end result. I don't use generative AI, preferring instead to learn and infuse my work with human care and dignity. I love what I do, and have no wish to outsource it to a machine in the name of efficiency.
2. The future is analog. Digital tools have given us a lot, but they are not all-encompassing. Not every problem can or should be solved by yet another app. I appreciate the weight and friction of reality. Digital options are just one part of the diverse toolkit I use to solve problems.
3. Design demonstrates values. I put as much effort into the unseen parts of my work as I do for the parts the public sees. What I create is a demonstration of who I am - my values and the care I have for those who get to use my creations
4. Strong communities are built on a thriving creative commons. I believe that a thriving commons of shared knowledge and culture is vital to strong and resilient communities. I believe in a future where information is equitably and sustainably shared.

What's with the name?

Endpaper, noun
a once-folded sheet of paper having one leaf pasted flat against the inside of the front or back cover of a book and the other pasted at the base to the first or last page

The endpapers of a book act as a hinge connecting the cover to the pages within. They’re the primary wear point for a book being read. They’re also the first thing a reader sees. Many books use the space to display elaborate art, setting the tone for what follows. It was in part my love of books and reading that lead to the idea for Endpapers. This creative experiment is my contribution to growing and strengthening a thriving commons that remains open to all.