Year: 2010

Posted on by

Travel Book Writer Awarded AIA Citation

Hong Kong, 6 November 2010 ————– — Architect and award-winning author and illustrator Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED® AP, has been awarded a 2010 chapter Citation from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hong Kong Chapter for the creation of the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series™.

Schmidt was selected by AIA Hong Kong to receive one of two annual Citations in recognition of his significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s Asia-Pacific region through his creation of educational graphic novels that the Chapter Nominating Committee described as, “… richly informed through detailed research and vividly portrayed through exquisitely hand-drawn illustrations.”  As per the Chapter’s bylaws, this recognition is extended to individuals or organizations for their achievement in promoting the value of architecture in society and for fostering public awareness of issues related to the built environment.

Schmidt was presented with the Citation at the joint AIA Hong Kong / C40 Conference dinner on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the historic Helena May in Hong Kong.

Bumbling Through Sumatra, the second volume in the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series™ and recent recipient of a bronze medal in the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards, seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  Author and illustrator Schmidt noted, “As an architect, I am flattered to have received this prestigious award from my professional peers, and from an international organization that continues to champion the value of traditional vernacular architecture.”

Consisting of more than 76,000 US-licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners in design, the US-based American Institute of Architects (AIA) has represented the professional interests of architects and design professionals for over 150 years.  The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series ™ is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Foreign Press Distributors and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.  The series is also available for international purchase through Kakibubu.com, Amazon.com and other online portals.

Posted on by

Hotel Architect Launches Sumatra Travel Book

Award-winning graphic novel travel series educates and entertains both children and adults

Bumbling Through Sumatra by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-6-6)

Hong Kong, 20 May 2010 ————– Architect, entertainer and author Tom Schmidt launched Volume Two of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series last night at Hong Kong’s historic Fringe Club.  With close to 100 people in attendance, the book launch included book signings by the author in addition to lucky draw giveaways of travel-related prizes donated by ProTrek and Teva, the two sponsors of the event.  Guests from various creative and travel industries were in attendance, as well as various media representatives including the South China Morning Post, Asia Literary Review, and Bloomberg.

Entitled Bumbling Through Sumatra, this educational graphic novel follows on the heels of award-winning Bumbling Through Borneo, the first volume in a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.

Book author and illustrator Schmidt contends, “Sumatra is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now.  In today’s era of climate change, the destruction of ancient rainforests, loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, and erosion of traditional cultures around the world is a very serious issue – and Sumatra is a case in point.”

Recently selected as a bronze medal winner in the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards, Bumbling Through Sumatra is an educational yet comical adventure through the Strait of Malacca, various ports in Malaysia, and across the Indonesian island of Sumatra.  The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters on a shoestring budget as they stumble across the natural treasures and indigenous cultures of the Indonesian island of Sumatra – including the environmental challenges they currently face.

With over 200 intricately hand-drawn illustrations, UNESCO’s ecologist Robert Lee notes, “It is refreshing to see Schmidt travel the way travel ought to be done — with arms, eyes, and mind wide open.” WWF – Indonesia views Bumbling Through Sumatra as “a very educational and informative book while providing an entertaining way of telling various conservation messages through adventurous stories.”  Legendary American architectural illustrator Frank Costantino agrees with the universal appeal of the book by noting, “For readers of any age and culture, Bumbling Through Sumatra is a uniquely conceived, very entertaining book –– and sheer fun!”

The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Foreign Press Distributors and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.  The series is available for international purchase through Amazon.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.

###

Posted on by

Bumbling Through Sumatra Scoops Bronze Medal

Second volume of graphic novel travel series wins third prize in 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards

Bumbling Through Sumatra by Tom Schmidt (ISBN 978-988-18066-6-6)

Hong Kong, 14 May 2010 ————– Bumbling Through Sumatra , volume two of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series by Tom Schmidt, has been selected as a bronze medal winner in the Graphic Novel / Drawn Book category of the 14th Annual 2010 Independent Publisher (IPPY) Book Awards.

Billed as the largest independent book awards program in the world, IPPY Awards Director Jim Barnes announced today that the 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards garnered a total of 3,980 total book entries from over 2,000 independent authors and publishers across the world.  Of the thousands of entries spanning 67 various categories, only 347 winning books were awarded with medals.

Bumbling Through Sumatra author and illustrator Tom Schmidt noted, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as an award winner in such a competitive and international book awards program.” Coinciding with the opening of BookExpo America in New York City, a gala awards ceremony will be held at Providence NYC at 6:00 pm on May 25, 2010 for award-winning medalists.  The IPPY Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers.

Bumbling Through Sumatra is an educational graphic novel that follows on the heels of award-winning Bumbling Through Borneo, the first volume in a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Foreign Press Distributors and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.  The series is available for international purchase through Amazon.com.

The book will be officially launched in Hong Kong on May 19, 2010 at Fringe Club from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.  Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.  Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED® Accredited Professional, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997, and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.

Posted on by

Bumbling Through Sumatra to be released

Sumatra COVER
Bumbling Through Sumatra by Tom Schmidt ISBN 978-988-18066-6-6

Hong Kong, 26 February 2010 ————– In the time it takes you to read this media release, an estimated 13 hectares of the world’s forests will be lost, according to a recent estimate by WWF-Malaysia.

“Sumatra is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now,” asserts architect and LEED® AP Tom Schmidt, author of the new book Bumbling Through Sumatra.  “In today’s era of climate change, the destruction of ancient rainforests, loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, and erosion of traditional cultures around the world is a very serious issue – and Sumatra is a case in point.”

Bumbling Through Sumatra is an educational yet comical adventure through the Strait of Malacca, various ports in Malaysia, and across the Indonesian island of Sumatra.  The reader is taken on an entertaining journey of discovery by following the misadventures of a fictitious cast of bumbling characters as they stumble across the natural treasures and indigenous cultures of the Indonesian island of Sumatra – including the environmental challenges they currently face.  With over 200 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travellers’ journey through Malaysia and Indonesia seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the region’s rapidly changing situation.

Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature audiences in helping to create environmental awareness. 

Bumbling Through Sumatra is the second volume in the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series, a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.  The first volume in the series, Bumbling Through Borneo, was the recipient of a silver medal in the 2009 IPPY Independent Publishers Book Awards, a bronze medal in the 2009 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, numerous positive media reviews, and is now headed into its second printing.

Bumbling Through Sumatra will be launched on May 2010 in Hong Kong; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2010, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited.