What Is It
In late 2020 a friend of mine linked this article to me that spoke about Critically Endangered Animals that could go extinct in our lifetimes. I've read articles like this many times before, and for moment it just felt like another piece of bad news surrounding the 'fun year' that was 2020. But this time around I just got angry, and that anger turned into frustration, then motivation to do something about it. So I decided that I'll make an artbook featuring 31 different critically endangered animals, put the book on Kickstarter, then all stretch tier goals will be donated to charity.
The Problem
Hundreds of animals are now on the Critically Endangered List and are facing extinction in our lifetimes. What can I do to help?
The Goal
I want to run a successful kickstarter about critically endangered animals where after production for the books, all extra funds go to a charity that supports endangered animals. The project will launch May 4th 2021!
Responsibilities
Research, Visual Design, Graphic Design, Project Management, Marketing
Tools
Platforms
Since I have run a successful Kickstarter in the past, I have a better understanding of the process and what to expect. I've learned from my last project that I need to have an extra percentage of the funding to go to surprise shipping costs and taxes (especially with current Covid-19 restrictions).
For the project I decided to paint 31 different critically endangered animals, and turn them into celestial galaxies/constellations. That way if some of these animals due become extinct, they will instead be remembered and placed in the stars above.
Before I work on the artwork however, I need to gather reference material for what I want everything to look like.
(I worked on the original inks for each animal during my breaks at work)
Planning Out The Project
After getting most of the artwork done, it was time to start planning out the Kickstarter project and answering questions like:
- How much is it going to cost?
- What company will I be using to print my books?
- Where will I be printing my prints?
- What will the tiers be? What will be offered in those tiers?
- How much does an ISBN # actually costs? Where do I go to get them?
For printing the books I decided that I would use Mixam due to their great reviews and there environmentally friendly printing. For this project I want to use as much eco friendly materials as possible. The company also has a great calculator that estimates how much printing would cost, along with how heavy the boxes will be for shipping.
- To print 50 artbooks with Mixam, it'll cost around $800, if I want to do a test print of the book, it'll be around an extra $80.00. The package weight is 60lbs, with the extra book shipping is around $250.00
Total (production and approx. shipping) = $1,130.00
- IF I wanted to print 50 coloring books with Mixam as well, it would cost $250.00, and a singular test print book is $40.00. The package weight is 17lbs, with the extra book shipping is around $150.00
Total (production and approx. shipping) = $440.00
- IF I wanted to make holographic stickers (50 quantity) alongside everything is $85.00 dollars with a site like Stickermule. Shipping would be an extra $25.00
Total (production and approx. shipping) = $110.00
- I wanted to print at least 3 copies of every 31 critically endangered animal for the project it would cost around $125.00, shipping would be free since I work with a local print shop.
Total (production and approx. shipping) = $125.00
- Shipping materials (Boxes, bubble wrap, waterproof protectors, tape, shipping label paper, fragile stickers, etc.) all together is around $550.00
- An ISBN number is usually around $20.00 dollars
Current Total is = $1,825.00 (ignoring the coloring books and stickers)
- I want a shipping buffer for any surprise shipping encounters = $175
- I want an off the bat donation of $250 to charity if the project is successful
- Rounded up to $2,500.00, Kickstarter Fees/Etc. would be $250.00
I would need $2,500.00 to run a successful Kickstarter.
Possible Tiers
After getting most of the artwork done, it was time to start planning out the Kickstarter project and answering questions like:
- 1$ Free Donation
- $5 Digital Downloads
- $10 Print (includes previous tier rewards)
- $25 Artbook (includes previous tier rewards)
- $100 Original Artwork, Limited to 32 (includes previous tier rewards)
What Next?
The project will launch May 4th 2021, what happens afterwards (weather the project is successful or not) will be updated here in September.