Set of 3 Bumbling Traveller Books
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Bumbling Through Borneo named one of Ten Best Books on Borneo
Hong Kong, 18 April 2012 ————– Bumbling Through Borneo — the first volume in the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series — has been included as one of the Ten Best Books on Borneo in the the 2012 Summer edition of the Borneo Insider’s Guide. Travel writer Peter Adkins reviewed and compiled a listing of books written about Borneo, and described Tom Schmidt’s award-winning book as “Part light-hearted travelogue, part graphic-novel, part responsible-travel treatise; this idiosyncratic tale of one man’s calling from his day-job in Hong Kong to the longhouses and rainforest of Sarawak, engages all senses in telling its author’s story. Packed with witty anecdotes, information on how to stage your own ‘bumble’ and unpretentious environmental advice, by the time you get to the last page you will have been persuaded to quit your own job in favour of a Bornean adventure.”
Published by Kakibubu Media Limited, the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. The highly-acclaimed series has won various Independent Publisher and Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Volume 3 of the series is expected to be released in Summer 2012.
BOOKS
The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series™:
The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series™:Follow the adventures of architect Bumbling Bob as he leads a ragtag troupe of backpackers through remote region of Southeast Asia. Incorporating hundreds of hand drawn travel sketches, these unique entertaining and educational Bumbling Traveller graphic novels will take both teenagers and adults to the far corners of the planet on a voyage of discovery and humor!
The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series has received multiple book awards and accolades from numerous environmental groups including UNESCO, WWF Indonesia, WWF Malaysia, The Nature Conservancy, Malaysia Nature Society, Against Malaria Foundation, Yayasan Pulau Banyak Foundation, and The Borneo Project. The series has also received excellent reviews by the South China Morning Post, American Society of Architectural Illustrators, The Malaysian Insider, Descent Magazine, BC Magazine, Midwest Book Review, Small Press Bookwatch, and many more organizations.
In 2010, award-winning author and illustrator Thomas Schmidt, AIA, LEED AP was awarded a prestigious AIA Citation Award by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hong Kong Chapter “in recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region, such as Borneo and Sumatra, through educational graphic novels in the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series that are richly informed through detailed research and vividly portrayed by exquisitely hand-drawn illustrations.”
The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.
The Bumbling Traveller Wins Travel Book Award
Hong Kong, 7 June 2022 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT’S TRAVEL SKETCH BOOK WINS TRAVEL CATEGORY IN INDIE PUBLISHING AWARDS PROGRAM
The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World by Tom Schmidt was declared a winner in the 2022 National Indie Excellence Awards program. The heavily illustrated book, containing Schmidt’s hand-drawn depictions of a variety of destinations around the world, has been awarded the top prize in the Travel category of the awards program.
According to Doug Fogelson, President National Indie Excellence® Awards, “Now in our 16th year, The National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) has evaluated thousands of books across a wide range of diverse genres produced by self-published authors and independent imprints. From this position, we find that our current selection of NIEA award recipients represent the best and brightest talents to be found in contemporary indie publishing and self-published authors today.”
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book is available in regional and international bookstores, can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com), and is available on Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
The Bumbling Traveller Finalist in Indie Book Awards
Hong Kong, 16 May 2022 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT’S TRAVEL SKETCH BOOK DECLARED FINALIST IN INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM
The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World by Tom Schmidt has been declared a finalist in the 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards program. The heavily illustrated book, containing Schmidt’s hand-drawn depictions of a variety of destinations around the world, finished as a finalist in the “Illustrations” category of the awards program.
The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest International awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. In its sixteenth year of operation, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established to recognize and honor the most exceptional independently published books in 80+ different categories, for the year, and is presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group in cooperation with Marilyn Allen of Allen Literary Agency (formerly the Allen O’Shea Literary Agency).
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book is available in regional and international bookstores, can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com), and is available on Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
The Bumbling Traveller Snags Silver!
Hong Kong, 16 May 2022 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT’S TRAVEL SKETCH BOOK SCOOPS SILVER MEDAL IN INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM
The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World by Tom Schmidt has been awarded a silver medal in the 2022 Nautilus Book Awards program. The heavily illustrated book, containing Schmidt’s hand-drawn depictions of a variety of destinations around the world, was awarded a silver medal in the “Multicultural & Indigenous” category of the awards program.
With a 23-year history, The Nautilus Awards represent Better Books for a Better World. The core mission of the Nautilus Awards is to celebrate and honor books that support conscious living & green values, high-level wellness, positive social change & social justice, and spiritual growth.
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book is available in regional and international bookstores, can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com), and is available on Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
The Bumbling Traveller Scoops Gold!
Hong Kong, 11 May 2022 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT’S TRAVEL SKETCH BOOK SCOOPS GOLD MEDAL IN INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PROGRAM
The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World by Tom Schmidt has been awarded a prestigious gold medal in the 2022 Independent Publishers Book Awards program. The heavily illustrated book, containing Schmidt’s hand-drawn depictions of a variety of destinations around the world, placed first in “Category 77: Travel – Essay”.
The Independent Publisher Book Awards were conceived in 1996 as a broad-based, unaffiliated awards program open to all members of the independent publishing industry. The program is open to independent authors and publishers worldwide who produce books intended for an English speaking audience.
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book is available in regional and international bookstores, can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com), and is available on Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
Schmidt Moderates Hong Kong Literary Festival
Hong Kong, 13 November 2021 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SCHMIDT MODERATES AT HONG KONG LITERARY FESTIVAL 2021
Award-winning architect Tom Schmidt, author and illustrator of The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World, was invited to moderate two sessions at the 2021 Hong Kong International Literary Festival on Saturday, 13 November 2021 at The Fringe Club’s Jockey Club Studio Theatre in Hong Kong.
In one of the first sessions of the day, Schmidt interviewed Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilley, authors of Until Proven Safe: The History and Future of Quarantine. As a hybrid event, the moderated online discussion was simultaneously live streamed in front of an live audience. Schmidt covered topics revolving around the architecture of quarantine centers throughout history and the political impacts of quarantine around the world. The discussion pivoted to aspects of agricultural quarantine, the need for quarantine relative to future space exploration, and the potentially dystopian future of quarantine around the world. A brief question and answer segment concluded the presentation.
Schmidt’s second moderated session, Make Independent Publishing Work For You, featured a panel of three prolific independent publishers. Schmidt was joined by authors Larry Feign, Chris Maden, and Jordan Rivet who shared their personal journeys into independent publishing within a constantly evolving landscape of book publishing. The moderated discussion started with the business and financial aspects of independent publishing, followed by the production and process of bringing a book to market. The latter portion of the well-attended 90-minute panel discussion concentrated on book promotion and the future of independent publishing. The session concluded with a brief question and answer session from live and virtual audience members.
The annual Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF) features established and emerging writers from around the world in a program that includes panel discussions, book talks, literary lunches and dinners, readings, workshops, and performance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
RGS Book Talk: The Bumbling Traveller
Hong Kong, 18 October 2021 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ILLUSTRATION AND TRAVEL: ARCHITECT ADDRESSES ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY
Award-winning architect, author and illustrator Tom Schmidt discussed his new book, The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World, in an event hosted by the Royal Geographical Society Hong Kong (RGS-HK) at 7:30 pm on Thursday, 28 October 2021. With over thirty RGS-HK members and guests in attendance, the book discussion was held at the Pacific Place Galleries of Bonhams (Hong Kong) Limited.
Schmidt’s discussion of his global travel sketches was prefaced by a brief overview of the role in-situ illustration has played throughout history. This included the documentation of expeditions before the advent of photography, the development of plein air painting, and the continuing evolution of urban sketching. The artist elaborated on his various techniques for creating select sketches, shared humorous anecdotes associated with the creation of some images, and conveyed the emotional connection with a place when sketching a subject on location. Schmidt remarked, “Every sketch is a grand experiment,” relative to pushing the boundaries of media when sketching outdoors under uncertain lighting and weather conditions.
The presentation discussed how travel journals and sketches can be effectively used to document the journey, as well as various destinations and environments. In addition to how sketches can become “visual notes” during a trip, Schmidt explained how travel experiences could also be made into storyboards — a technique that he used in the creation of his award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series of educational graphic novels. The one-hour presentation concluded with a period of questions and answers.
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book is available in regional and international bookstores, can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com), and is available on Amazon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
The Bumbling Traveller Hong Kong Book Launch
Hong Kong, 24 September 2021 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT LAUNCHES BOOK OF SKETCHES FROM HIS WORLD TRAVELS
Award-winning architect Tom Schmidt launched his new book, The Bumbling Traveller, in Hong Kong on Thursday, 23 September 2021 in advance of commemorating World Tourism Day and the book’s international debut on 27 September 2021.
The book launch was held at 7pm at TGIF, located at G/F Wo Fat Building, 539 Queen’s Road West in Shek Tong Tsui. The well attended hybrid in-person and virtual event was live streamed to an international audience around the world. Over 60 book lovers and media representatives attended the in-person event, during which Schmidt provided a brief overview of his book, followed by a live sketching demonstration, and book signing.
Using a photograph for reference, Schmidt spent 20 minutes sketching a 140-year old historic building located at the Hong Kong Observatory, to simulate a scenario of rapid in-situ sketching to capture a subject during deteriorating weather conditions. Schmidt’s black and white demonstration sketch was produced with a 0.6 Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment lightfast permanent marker on sketch paper, generously donated by Hong Kong Faber-Castell. Schmidt narrated his sketching process to the virtual audience while drawing. The completed sketch was given to one winning event attendee by way of a lucky draw.
In addition to a selection of the author’s previous books and other creative products, the event venue featured a montage of projected images from Schmidt’s new book, in addition to large format graphics affixed to the exterior windows to simulate a “sketch view” of Sukhothai, Thailand from the interior of the space.
The event was hosted by Ian McGinlay, live streaming was provided by filmmaker Hayley Rofkind, and catering for the event was provided by Kate Lai with additional culinary contributions from Rebecca Lo. Assistance with venue setup and dismantling was provided by Winston Cheng, Andy Niven, Sherie Tsang, and Michael Lai. Schmidt noted, “I was thrilled with the turnout, and truly appreciate everyone who supported our event.”
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. According to the highly acclaimed Midwest Book Review, Schmidt’s new book is “Inherently fascinating, impressively informative, uniquely inspired and inspiring, ‘The Bumbling Traveller: Sketching the World’ is a unique, extraordinary, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library contemporary art instructional reference collections.”
From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book is currently available in regional and international bookstores, and can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
BOOK STATISTICS:
| Title: | The Bumbling Traveller |
| Author / Illustrator: | Tom Schmidt |
| ISBN: | ISBN 978-988-18066-4-2 |
| Category: | Travel / Art / Architecture |
| Length: | 156 pages |
| Retail Price: | US$39.95 |
| Binding: | 11.0″ x 8.5” (28.0 cm x 21.6 cm) softcover |
| Illustrated: | 252 Color and B&W illustrations |
BOOK LAUNCH: The Bumbling Traveller
Hong Kong, 3 September 2021 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT LAUNCHES BOOK OF SKETCHES FROM HIS WORLD TRAVELS
Award-winning architect Tom Schmidt will launch his new book, The Bumbling Traveller, in Hong Kong on Thursday, 23 September 2021 in advance of commemorating World Tourism Day on 27 September 2021.
The book launch will be held at 7pm at TGIF, located at G/F Wo Fat Building, 539 Queen’s Road West in Shek Tong Tsui. Just steps away from Exit C2 of the HKU MTR Station, Schmidt remarked, “We chose this Hong Kong Island venue due to its bright and airy ambiance and proximity to public transport for ease of access.” Schmidt plans to provide a brief overview of his book, a live sketching demonstration, and a book signing during the free event. A portion of the event will be live streamed to an international audience across the world.
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 book will be available in regional and international bookstores beginning in September 2021, and can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).
NOTE: This will be a private event and pre-registration is required
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
BOOK STATISTICS:
| Title: | The Bumbling Traveller |
| Author / Illustrator: | Tom Schmidt |
| ISBN: | ISBN 978-988-18066-4-2 |
| Category: | Travel / Art / Architecture |
| Length: | 156 pages |
| Retail Price: | US$39.95 |
| Binding: | 11.0″ x 8.5” (28.0 cm x 21.6 cm) softcover |
| Illustrated: | 252 Color and B&W illustrations |
The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World
Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series
THE BUMBLING TRAVELLER – Sketching the World
Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream.
With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the place they are visiting.The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 Bumbling Traveller will be launched on 27 September 2021 in Hong Kong in commemoration of World Tourism Day.
ORDER NOW!
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
GOLD MEDAL WINNER – 2022 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS
SILVER MEDAL WINNER – 2022 NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS
DESIGNATED FINALIST – 2022 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS
BOOK REVIEWS:
“Architect Tom Schmidt’s illustrated collection of buildings and the spaces in between is a fun, autobiographical guide to understanding – and remembering – locations great and small.”
“Inherently fascinating, impressively informative, uniquely inspired and inspiring, ‘The Bumbling Traveller: Sketching the World’ is a unique, extraordinary, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library contemporary art instructional reference collections.”
“By dint of his well-developed architectural and illustration skills, coupled with an astute eye for historic, iconic, novel or arresting vistas encountered in his world-wide travels, Tom has compiled another terrific book for the inveterate traveler and sketcher. Beginning with an appealing primer of the basic tools needed for drawing or painting, this book features a global spectrum of subjects, all portrayed by his experienced hand in various media. With insightful subject text and drawing tips, ‘The Bumbling Traveller — Sketching the World’ is a guidebook, sketchbook primer, history lesson, and very entertaining read — all in one slim volume; well-built as a companion for anyone’s travels.”
— Frank M. Costantino, ASAI FAIA ASIP FSAI JARA, Architectural Illustrator, Co-Founder American Society of Architectural Illustrators
“In this latest volume of his autobiographical Bumbling Traveller series, the author and illustrator, Tom Schmidt, has artfully weaved his brilliant sketches and renderings together with engaging personal narratives about architecture, the environment, travel and culture, as well as sharing his drawing techniques. This book is both a visual delight and essential reminder to a digital generation that the deliberate activities of site visits and drawing by hand will impart indelible insights of places, heritage, and human experience.”
— Professor Nelson Chen, FAIA FRIBA FHKIA, Architect, Hong Kong
“The Bumbling Traveller is a great read with 250 sketches that capture the mood of destinations.”
– Today’s Traveller Magazine
CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE REVIEW BY TODAY’S TRAVELLER MAGAZINE
The Bumbling Traveller profiled in the China Daily newspaper
BOOK STATISTICS:
Title: The Bumbling Traveller – Sketching the World
Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt
ISBN: 978-988-18066-4-2
Category: Travel / Art / Architecture
Length: 156 pages
Retail Price: US$39.95
Binding: 11.0″ x 8.5″ (28.0 cm x 21.6 cm) paperback
Additions: Internet Resources
Illustrations: Original Line Art; 252 Color and B&W illustrations
Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents. Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
LINKS RELATED TO THIS BOOK:
Trademarks: “Bumbling Traveller” and the Bumbling Traveller logo are registered trademarks of Kakibubu Media Limited and may not be used without written permission.
Release of The Bumbling Traveller Book Announced
Hong Kong, 4 June 2021 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT CREATES BOOK OF SKETCHES FROM HIS WORLD TRAVELS
Tourism is the lifeblood of many global communities. As the fight against the global pandemic continues, it is hoped that travellers can once again explore the world around them, with perhaps a new set of eyes and sense of appreciation.
“Travel sketching is one of the best ways to understand a destination, its architecture and culture,” asserts architect Tom Schmidt, author of the new book The Bumbling Traveller. “In today’s digital era, many tourists quickly simply snap a photo, post it to social media, and move on to their next destination.”
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream.
With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the place they are visiting.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment 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 Bumbling Traveller will be launched on 27 September 2021 in Hong Kong in commemoration of World Tourism Day. The book will be available in regional and international bookstores beginning in September 2021, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, 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 (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
BOOK STATISTICS:
| Title: | The Bumbling Traveller |
| Author / Illustrator: | Tom Schmidt |
| ISBN: | ISBN 978-988-18066-4-2 |
| Category: | Travel / Art / Architecture |
| Length: | 156 pages |
| Retail Price: | US$39.95 |
| Binding: | 11.0″ x 8.5” (28.0 cm x 21.6 cm) softcover |
| Illustrated: | 252 Color and B&W illustrations |
Discovery Bay Christmas Markets
Hong Kong, November 24, 2019 ————– Beneath fabulous blue skies, Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series author and illustrator Tom Schmidt attended a book signing at Kakibubu Media Limited’s booth at today’s Discovery Bay Sunday Market, held in Discovery Bay Plaza, Hong Kong. The fair, organized by Handmade Hong Kong, featured hundreds of locally-produced creative products by small businesses across Hong Kong. Schmidt signed personalized copies of books for shoppers in addition to explaining his well-regarded series of annual Holiday Cards.
We would like to thank Handmade Kong Kong, and everyone who came out for this event to help make it a great success.
Santa Lost in China Holiday Greeting Card seriesABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR: 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 and across all seven continents. 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. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”
Volume 1: Bumbling Through Borneo
Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series: Volume 1
BUMBLING THROUGH BORNEO
Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt
Follow the humorous day-by-day account of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect, as he finds himself on an uncertain journey deep into the heart of Borneo with a small troupe of intrepid backpackers. Share an arduous journey up the fabled Rejang River to experience life in a traditional longhouse — ending in a deadly race through virgin rainforest aboard runaway logging trucks to a world of subterranean splendor. Discover the Malaysian state of Sarawak — a land abundant in nature’s treasures — ruled by a melting pot of cultures on a collision course with environmental catastrophe!
PARENTAL NOTICE: The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is intended for Ages 13 and above, and contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.
AWARDS / RECOGNITION:
SILVER MEDAL WINNER
13th Annual 2009
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS
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BRONZE MEDAL WINNER
3rd Annual 2009
MOONBEAM CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
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NAMED ONE OF “10 BEST BOOKS ON BORNEO” IN 2012 BORNEO INSIDER’S GUIDE
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NAMED ONE OF TOP 30 GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR EARTH DAY 2012 BY LIBRARY JOURNAL
BOOK STATISTICS:
Title: Bumbling Through Borneo
Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt
ISBN: 978-988-18066-5-9
Category: Travel / Environment /Humor
Length: 112 pages
Retail Price: US$12.95
Binding: 6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) paperback
Additions: Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources
Illustrations: Original Line Art
Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber
CLICK HERE FOR MORE BOOK DETAILS
Trademarks: “Bumbling Traveller” and the Bumbling Traveller logo are registered trademarks of Kakibubu Media Limited and may not be used without written permission.
Discovery Bay Book Signing
Hong Kong, August 13, 2017 ————– Despite scorching hot weather, Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series author and illustrator Tom Schmidt attended a book signing at Kakibubu Media Limited’s booth at today’s Discovery Bay Sunday Market, held in Discovery Bay Plaza, Hong Kong. The fair, organized by Handmade Hong Kong, featured hundreds of locally-produced creative products by small businesses across Hong Kong. Schmidt signed personalized copies of books for shoppers in addition to explaining his well-regarded annual Santa Lost in China holiday cards.
We would like to thank Handmade Kong Kong, and everyone who came out for this event to help make it a great success.
Santa Lost in China Holiday Greeting Card seriesABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR: 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 and across all seven continents. 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. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”
Discovery Bay Market Fun
Hong Kong, January 8, 2017 ————– Amidst unseasonably good weather, Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series author and illustrator Tom Schmidt attended a book signing at Kakibubu Media Limited’s booth at today’s Discovery Bay Sunday Market, held in Discovery Bay Plaza, Hong Kong. The fair, organized by Handmade Hong Kong, featured hundreds of locally-produced creative products by small businesses across Hong Kong. Schmidt signed personalized copies of books for shoppers in addition to explaining his well-regarded annual Santa Lost in China holiday card series.
We would like to thank Handmade Kong Kong, and everyone who came out for this event to help make it a great success.
Santa Lost in China Holiday Greeting Card seriesABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR: 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 and across all seven continents. 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. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”
Bumbling Through Hong Kong Awarded Silver Medal
Latest volume of educational graphic novel travel series wins second prize in 2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
Hong Kong — October 22, 2013 – Bumbling Through Hong Kong, the third volume of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series by Tom Schmidt, has been awarded a silver medal in the Young Adult Multicultural category of the 2013 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.
Moonbeam Awards Director Jim Barnes announced, “The Moonbeam Awards exist to bring increased recognition to these kinds of exemplary children’s books that inspire and delight children of all ages.” Judging panels of librarians, teachers, students, and book reviewers chose 165 medalists in 48 categories, and winning books came from a diverse group of long-established publishers, small presses, associations, and self-publishers. This year’s contest attracted over 1,200 entries from throughout North America and around the world, and medals were awarded to books representing 35 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces, and 7 countries overseas.
Bumbling Through Hong Kong author and illustrator Tom Schmidt noted, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been selected as an award winner in such a well-respected international book awards program, and are hopeful that the Bumbling Traveller Series continues to inspire children to explore and change the world.” In conjunction with the opening of the 4th annual Traverse City Children’s Book Festival, a gala celebration will be held for award-winning medalists in Traverse City, MI, USA on November 9, 2013.
Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational graphic novel that follows on the heels of the first two award-winning volumes of the series — Bumbling Through Borneo and Bumbling Through Sumatra – which 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 Far East Media Limited and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.
In addition to this award, the book also recently scooped a bronze medal in the 2013 Independent Publisher’s Book Awards Program, shortly after its debut in Hong Kong on April 18, 2013 and subsequent launch in Singapore on May 26, 2013 in conjunction with the Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC).
[download id=”26″]
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR: 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. 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. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”
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Bumbling Through Hong Kong Scoops Bronze Medal
Third volume of educational graphic novel travel series wins third prize in 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards
Hong Kong, 8 May 2013 ————– Bumbling Through Hong Kong, volume three 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 17th Annual 2013 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 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards garnered over 5,200 total book entries from over 2,500 independent authors, publishers and university presses across the world. Of the thousands of entries spanning 77 various categories, only 382 winning books were awarded with medals.
Bumbling Through Hong Kong 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 29, 2013 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 Hong Kong is an educational graphic novel that follows on the heels of the first two award-winning volumes of the series —
Bumbling Through Borneoand
Bumbling Through Sumatra— which 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 Far East Media Limited and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd.
The book was launched in Hong Kong on April 18, 2013 and is scheduled to be launched in Singapore on May 26, 2013 in conjunction with the upcoming Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC).
[download id=”23″]
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. 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. Schmidt received a 2010 AIA Hong Kong Citation for the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series in “recognition of significant achievement in promoting the values of cultural heritage, eco-tourism and vernacular architecture in the Chapter’s region.”
Architect Launches Hong Kong Travelogue
Award-winning graphic novel travel series educates and entertains both children and adults
Hong Kong, 19 April 2013 ————– Architect, entertainer and author Tom Schmidt launched Volume Three of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series last night at Bookazine located in Landmark Prince’s in the heart of Hong Kong’s Central business district. With over 100 people in attendance, the Hong Kong launch of the book included book signings by the author in addition to lucky draw giveaways. Guests from various creative, hospitality, finance and travel industries were in attendance, in addition to various media representatives.
Entitled Bumbling Through Hong Kong, this educational graphic novel follows on the heels of the award-winning first two volumes, Bumbling Through Borneo and Bumbling Through Sumatra, in a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures.
Book author and illustrator Schmidt contends, “Hong Kong is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now. In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and the loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of the quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue — and Hong Kong is a case in point.”
Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments. 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 cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong — including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet. With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’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 readers in helping to create environmental awareness.
Hong Kong’s Association for Geoconservation notes that the book is capable of, “presenting Hong Kong in an interesting and casual way that not many travel books can compare. We are impressed and thank the author for introducing the normally ignored world of geological heritage of Hong Kong.” Greenpeace HK adds that, “Hong Kong has amazed the world through its rapid global interaction, efficiency and cosmopolitan environment. However, behind such speed and convenience, Hong Kong’s alarming per capita emissions rank second globally, if emissions from imported goods and their transportation are included. Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provided tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis. A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!”
The Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series is published by Kakibubu Media Limited and is distributed throughout Asia by Far East Media Limited Distributors and MPH Distributors Sdn Bhd. The series is also 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.
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Bumbling Traveller Book Creator to Speak at TEDx Victoria Harbour
Hong Kong, 5 April 2013 ————– Thomas Schmidt, creator of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series has been selected to speak at the upcoming TEDx Victoria Harbour event on Saturday, 11 May 2013 at the historic Sunbeam Theatre in North Point. Created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading,” TEDx Victoria Harbour is designed to give the Hong Kong community the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx Victoria Harbour is an independently organized TED event, organized by individuals passionate about sharing ideas to help shape the future of travel and tourism. This year, the theme is E-motion: the how and why we travel, and how it will evolve in the future. In true TEDx fashion, talks will be recorded and shared on the TEDTalks video site to be viewed by a global audience of millions. This full day conference will feature 11 multi-disciplinary speakers who will focus on travel and tourism.
Thomas Schmidt will present architectural sketches and travel journals in a session entitled “Travel Perspectives & Travel Perspectives,” which will revolve around armchair travel and travelling vicariously through books. Schmidt will be presenting his “perspectives” on travel, visual notes, as well as in-situ architectural “perspectives” from his many travels.
His visual documentation of the travel experience has resulted in the creation of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series.
Thomas Schmidt is an architect offering creative design solutions for the hospitality industry, as well as a writer, illustrator, musician, and stand-up comedian. His wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, where sketches of his travel experiences culminated in an award-winning travel book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. He 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). Born in the U.S., Tom has resided in Hong Kong since 1997 and is the founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited, an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
Vol. 3: Bumbling Through Hong Kong
Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series: Volume 3
BUMBLING THROUGH HONG KONG
Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt
THE ADVENTURE ACCELERATES! Follow the continuing illustrated daily antics of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect entrusted to carry a mysterious treasure, on his random travels throughout the Pearl of the Orient with a ragtag troupe of backpackers. Share a fast-paced adventure through one of the most densely inhabited population centers on the planet, and a series of educational discoveries while the bumbling travelers search for an elusive doctor who holds the key to a lingering mystery. Discover Hong Kong — a land rich in natural assets and cultural treasures whose fate teeters in the environmental balance!
PARENTAL NOTICE: The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is intended for Ages 13 and above, and contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.
ORDER NOW!
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
SILVER MEDAL WINNER
2013 MOONBEAM CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER
2013 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS
BOOK REVIEWS:
“With its comic book reminiscent approach, Tom Schmidt’s Bumbling Through series presents pertinent and often overlooked information in a reader friendly way through various adventures around the globe. Light manneredly evoking a desire to learn more from a global perspective, these books are perfect, offering a fun take for the traditional nonfiction reader. Bumbling through Hong Kong takes us to another land, full of energy, rich in culture and bursting with productivity!” — IP Notables, Independent Publisher Magazine
CLICK HERE for the full INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER IP NOTABLE REVIEW
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“Hong Kong has amazed the world through its rapid global interaction, efficiency and cosmopolitan environment. However, behind such speed and convenience, Hong Kong’s alarming per capita emissions rank second globally, if emissions from imported goods and their transportation are included. Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provide tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis. A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!” — Gloria Chang, Campaign Manager, Greenpeace HK
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“Overall, Bumbling Through Hong Kong is a fun, informative and engaging read which is also pleasing to the eyes. I just can’t help but admire each illustration in the book. I’ll definitely recommend this book to those who loves travelling or just want to know a little more about Hong Kong!” — Michelle Chew, Michelle Chew Writes
CLICK HERE for the Michelle Chew’s full review & author interview
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“The book series contain beautiful illustrations of Asian scenes and nature and many box outs with detailed information on specific socio-environmental issues or cultural traits. They are, in sum, a treat for the eye, food for the brain and a stab in the conscience … The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series makes a great gift for older children, young adults and anyone who needs to be clued in on the socio-environmental impacts of fast growing Asia. Apart from gaining insights on real life issues, readers will have many chuckles over the comic styled educational book that can only be Tom Schmidt’s landmark style.” — Mallika Naguran, Founder, Gaia Discovery
CLICK HERE to read GAIA DISCOVERY’S FEATURE ARTICLE on the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series
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“Presenting Hong Kong in an interesting and casual way that not many travel books can compare. We are impressed and thank the author for introducing the normally ignored world class geological heritage of Hong Kong. Very well done and congratulations!” — Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong
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“Tom’s story and drawings are a witty illustration of Hong Kong’s challenges and a guide of both bustling and serene beauty. Enjoy the trip.” — Paul Zimmerman, CEO, Designing Hong Kong
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“Tom Schmidt is one of those very creative writers that makes learning about history and socio-economic issues fascinating. His masterful descriptions of Hong Kong neighborhoods, customs and other issues are hidden in a fun, adventure/mystery story following Bumbling Bob, the architect and his sidekicks throughout the city and outer islands. In between the dramatic chapters are bites of useful information on what makes Hong Kong tick. Where does our water come from? Where does all our waste go? How does bamboo scaffolding work, where do our traditions such as lion dancing come from and many, many more interesting facts. The book opens your eyes to many key issues Hong Kong faces and took me to neighborhoods I have never seen in over 20 years of residing in Hong Kong. Makes me want to go explore Hong Kong again.” — Amazon.com Customer Review
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“Bumbling through Hong Kong is a great read. Informative and enlightening. The story continues from the previous successful books, Bumbling through Borneo and Bumbling through Sumatra and although light-hearted touches on a number of important and often overlooked issues in Hong Kong. Can’t wait for the next installment.” — Amazon.com Customer Review
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“Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an award-winning unofficial guide book extraordinaire. Three discerning backpackers with a mission to find the mysterious mastermind behind cryptic messages and ancient parchment fragments romp through parts of the territory that many people don’t see for the shopping malls. Illustrated by an attractive comic strip, the narrative is fast-paced, humorous and engaging. Panels are subtly added for fascinating facts relating to Hong Kong’s culture, heritage, geology, religion and food. Underlying the wild goose chase there are strong messages about environmental protection, heritage and important contemporary social issues. Lonely Planet move aside! Although readers are advised not to use the book as a travel guide, newcomers as well as Hong Kongers will find this book a compelling mix of fact and fiction.” — Jane Houng, Author
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“As another American living in Asia and a researcher that studies many of the issues Tom writes about, and deals with in his other job as an architect in the hospitality industry, I was very excited to see these urbanization issues presented in such an accessible manner.” — Melreese, Encountering Urbanization Website
CLICK HERE for the full review
BOOK STATISTICS:
Title: Bumbling Through Hong Kong
Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt
ISBN: 978-988-18066-7-3
Category: Travel / Environment /Humor
Length: 144 pages
Retail Price: US$12.95
Binding: 6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) paperback
Additions: Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources
Illustrations: Original Line Art; 193 B&W illustrations
Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber
CALENDAR:
RTHK RADIO INTERVIEW
Date: Thursday, 11 April 2013
Time: 11:00 – 11:30 am
CLICK HERE for a link to the broadcast
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HONG KONG BOOK LAUNCH
Date: Thursday, 18 April 2013
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Venue: Bookazine, 3/F Landmark Prince’s, Central, Hong Kong
Visit the Bookazine website for more details
CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS————————————————-
TEDx VICTORIA HARBOUR – TRAVEL PERSPECTIVES & TRAVEL PERSPECTIVES
Date: Saturday, 11 May 2013
Time: To be determined
Venue: Sunbeam Theatre, 423 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong Visit TEDx Victoria Harbour for more details
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SINGAPORE AFCC BOOK LAUNCH
Date: Sunday, 26 May 2013
Time: 2:45 – 3:15 pm
Venue: Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC), The Plaza, National Library Board, 100 Victoria St., Singapore
Visit the AFCC Website for more details
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RTHK RADIO 3 “AROUND TOWN” INTERVIEW: The Bumbling Traveller Story
Date: Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Time: 9:15 pm
CLICK HERE for a link to the broadcast
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SINGAPORE BOOK LAUNCH & SIGNING
Date: Saturday, 01 June 2013
Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Venue: “Crossroads” within Kinokuniya Books, 391 Orchard Road, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore
Visit the Kinokuniya website for more details
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SAN FRANCISCO BOOK SIGNING / ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATION EXPO
Date: Thursday, 03 October 2013
Time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Venue: San Francisco AIA Offices, AIA San Francisco, 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA, USA
Visit the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) website for more details
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LITERARY DEATH MATCH
Date: Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Time: 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Venue: XXX Gallery, B/F, 353-363 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong
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HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY – The Bumbling Traveller Story
Date: Thursday, 26 March 2015
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Venue: Hong Kong Baptist University, Shek Mun Campus, Hong Kong
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RTHK RADIO INTERVIEW – “Sunday Escape” – Volume 4 Announcement
Date: Sunday, 03 May 2015
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 am
CLICK HERE for a link to the broadcast
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ELSA HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL LECTURE – The Bumbling Traveller Story
Date: Thursday, 04 June 2015
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Venue: Elsa High School, 460 Shau Kei Wan Road, Shay Kei Wan, Hong Kong
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 AP, 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 is the founder of the architectural consultancy Sepia Design Consultants Limited. He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997.
LINKS RELATED TO THIS BOOK:
International Union for Conservation of Nature
Society for Community Organization (SOCO)
Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society
Association for Geoconservation Hong Kong
Geological Society of Hong Kong
Taipo Environmental Association
Earthwatch Institute Hong Kong
Trademarks: “Bumbling Traveller” and the Bumbling Traveller logo are registered trademarks of Kakibubu Media Limited and may not be used without written permission.
Bumbling Through Hong Kong Launch Announced
Hong Kong – March 9, 2013: At the end of each day, an estimated nine Hong Kong residents may have suffered premature deaths due to Hong Kong’s worsening air pollution, and another estimated 8,000 tons of discarded food waste will have found its way into the territory’s landfills.
“Hong Kong is one of the most important and fascinating places on the planet right now,” asserts architect and LEED® AP Tom Schmidt, author and illustrator of the new book Bumbling Through Hong Kong. “In today’s era of population growth, wasteful consumption, environmental contamination and loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the worsening quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue – and Hong Kong is a case in point.”
Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments. 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 cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong; including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet. With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn black and white illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling backpackers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’s rapidly changing situation and an appreciation of its natural and cultural assets. Schmidt contends that the unique graphic format of the book series appeals to both young adults, who are already accustomed to comic book formats, as well as more mature audiences in helping to create environmental awareness. Greenpeace HK notes, “Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provide tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis. A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!”
Bumbling Through Hong Kong is the third 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. Bumbling Through Hong Kong is scheduled to be launched on 18 April 2013 in Hong Kong at the Prince’s Building branch of Bookazine; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2013, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, 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.
BOOK STATISTICS:
| Title: | Bumbling Through Hong Kong |
| Author: | Tom Schmidt |
| ISBN: | ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3 |
| Category: | Travel / Environment / Humor |
| Length: | 144 pages |
| Retail Price: | US$12.95 |
| Binding: | 6.14” x 9.21” (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) softcover |
| Illustrated: | 193 B&W illustrations |
| Additions: | Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources |
Bumbling Through Hong Kong Release Announced
ARCHITECT BUMBLES THROUGH HONG KONG 15 February 2013: By the end of the day during which you read this media release, an estimated nine Hong Kong residents will have suffered premature deaths due to Hong Kong’s worsening air pollution. “Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong. “In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue – and Hong Kong is a case in point.” Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments. 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 cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong – including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet. With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’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 Hong Kong is the third 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. Bumbling Through Hong Kong will be launched in May 2013 in Hong Kong; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2013, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).
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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.
ARCHITECT BUMBLES THROUGH HONG KONG 15 February 2013: By the end of the day during which you read this media release, an estimated nine Hong Kong residents will have suffered premature deaths due to Hong Kong’s worsening air pollution. “Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong. “In today’s era of population growth, environmental contamination, and loss of marine and terrestrial habitats, the erosion of quality of life in the world’s urban areas is a very serious issue – and Hong Kong is a case in point.” Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an educational yet comical adventure through the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and its many manmade and natural environments. 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 cultural traditions, natural assets and historic relics of Hong Kong – including the numerous environmental and social challenges faced by one of the most densely inhabited places on the planet. With over 190 beautifully hand-drawn illustrations, the book’s day-by-day account of the bumbling travelers’ journey through Hong Kong seeks to instill the reader with an environmental and cultural awareness of the territory’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 Hong Kong is the third 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. Bumbling Through Hong Kong will be launched in May 2013 in Hong Kong; the book will be available in regional bookstores beginning in May 2013, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.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.
BOOK STATISTICS:
| Title: | Bumbling Through Hong Kong |
| Author: | Tom Schmidt |
| ISBN: | ISBN 978-988-18066-7-3 |
| Category: | Travel / Environment / Humor |
| Length: | 144 pages |
| Retail Price: | US$12.95 |
| Binding: | 6.14” x 9.21” (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) softcover |
| Illustrated: | 191 B&W illustrations |
| Additions: | Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources |
Bumbling Through Sumatra Scoops Bronze Medal
Second volume of graphic novel travel series wins third prize in 2010 Independent Publisher Book Awards
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.
Bumbling Through Sumatra to be released
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.
Bumbling Through Borneo Scores Bronze Medal
Hong Kong, 26 September 2009 ————– Bumbling through Borneo, written and illustrated by Tom Schmidt, was announced as the Bronze Medal award winner in the Comic / Graphic Novel category of the 3rd Annual 2009 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Published by Kakibubu Media Limited, this first volume of the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series took third place in its category in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards – a program intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. The top three winners of each category were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively. The call for entries garnered almost 1000 entries from throughout the English-speaking world.
The Moonbeam Awards ceremony will be held on October 10, 2009 as part of the 9th Annual West Virginia Book Festival in Charleston, WV, USA. Award-winning author Tom Schmidt expressed his satisfaction by noting “we’re thrilled to have our book well regarded in the Children’s Book market and winning such a prestigious award.” This award follows on the heels of the book receiving a silver medal in the prestigious 13th Annual 2009 Independent Publishers Book Awards earlier in the year.
With consistently positive reviews, Bumbling Through Borneo is the first volume in the Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series, a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. Bumbling Through Borneo is available from bookstores globally, online, and can also be ordered from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).
Bumbling Through Borneo Confirmed as Semi-Finalist at IPPY Book Awards
Hong Kong, 2 May 2009 ————– Kakibubu Media Limited confirmed today that Tom Schmidt’s recent release Bumbling Through Borneo has been confirmed as a Semi-Finalist in the “Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Humor/Cartoon” category of the prestigious 2009 Independent Publisher Books Awards. Semi-finalists will be awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals; winners will be announced on 29 May 2009 at the 13th Annual IPPY Awards in New York on the first evening of the 2009 BookExpo America convention.
Reviews
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT BUMBLING THROUGH BORNEO:
SELECT MEDIA & INDUSTRY REVIEWS:
“… A travel book with a difference. Engagingly written and amusingly illustrated in comic book-style format, it combines a rollicking backpacker’s adventure tale in the heart of Southeast Asia’s disappearing jungles with an increasingly serious environmental message.” — South China Morning Post CLICK HERE to download the full SCMP Article: [download id=”8″]
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“… You can expect the usual — longhouse, river, jungle — in the next few pages, but it is the way Schmidt tells the story which makes it so interesting. His black and white illustrations help you visualise everything: the book’s layout is graphic and neatly presented so you get a cross-section of a longhouse, a cargo express, maps, etc. This is accompanied by fact boxes of the places Bob visits so you learn a lot about Sarawak, the people and its natural wonders. I wish my school geography books had been this well put together. Most of all, Schmidt tells a good story. It is simple but never simplistic and he taught this Malaysian a thing or two about Sarawak.” — Joan Lau, The Malaysian Insider CLICK HERE to download the full The Malaysian Insider Article: [download id=”9″]
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“Bumbling Through Borneo is loads of fun and laughs but at the same time, by cleverly weaving in the facts of Borneo into the main plot, readers are unwittingly enlightened on environmental and social issues such as logging, deforestation and population displacement … In all, this delightful book is informative and so much fun. It would appeal to the mature reader, perhaps the traveler who is planning on discovering Borneo, as well as young children. Definitely one for the personal library!” — S. Mohala, Malaysian Naturalist, Malaysia Nature Society CLICK HERE to download the full Malaysian Naturalist article: [download id=”16″] (The Malaysian Naturalist is the quarterly magazine for the Malaysian Nature Society, one of Malaysia’s leading organizations promoting conservation and environmental education)
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“… a sense of respect and awe for Sarawak and her people underpin this cartoon novel … This is not a guidebook, but it does give snippets of useful information on current issues including the controversial Bakun Hydro Electric Dam, changing land use patterns, cultural information on topics ranging from the construction of longhouses to beads and tattooing, and historical notes on towns and cities. A lighthearted approach increases the accessibility of this information and encourages a quest for more knowledge about Sarawak and the rest of Borneo.” — MM Ann Armstrong, Borneo Research Bulletin
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“The book provides an extraordinary look into a place I would venture to say that few of us in western civilization have travelled or with which we are remotely familiar. It is filled with enchanting stories of kind and generous people formulated by three different cultures inhabiting Borneo – Malaysian Chinese, Ibans and a variety of Malay ethnicities – whose customs, though a bit unusual by our ‘standards’ provide a richness of life experiences we may never know within our hermetically sealed ‘bubbles’ of existence. An adventure like the one described of our bumbling explorers is not for the faint of heart. There is no spa, no martini, no soft feathered bed and no valet service in a journey such as this. But, I daresay, that if you choose a route and quest of a similar nature, you just might be changed forever, seeing the world with brand-new eyes.” — Michel Borg, AIA, American Institute of Architects Young Architects Forum CLICK HERE to download the full AIA YAF Book Review: [download id=”17″] ————————————————————————————————————————————————–
“Encouraging anyone to have an interest in exploration and the natural world can never be a bad thing, so Bumbling Through Borneo, which is set to entertain while imparting information, is a welcome blend of narrative with an underlying conservation message … the underlying message is excellent — adventure mixed with fact and just thing to hook a youngster into wanting to explore the world.” — Descent Magazine
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“Interesting! Recommended reading for backpackers to Borneo.” — Dato’ Dr. Dionysius Sharma, Executive Director / CEO, WWF – Malaysia
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“This book is a unique approach to share stories of disappearing plants, animals, lands and waters local people need to survive. A good blend of a tourist rough guide, conservation notes and a comic book. A good treat for eyes and mind.” — Ahmad Fuadi, Director of Communications, The Nature Conservancy – Indonesia
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“Bumbling Through Borneo is a classic Backpacker Yarn. Enlightening regional info digressions from the travelers’ tale highlight environmental devastation of a global treasure. Splendid comic book-style ink drawings illustrate the journey. Old travelers will chuckle at the wanderers’ jams, and young ones will be inspired to hit the road.” — Judith Mayer, Coordinator, The Borneo Project
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“Bumbling Through Borneo is an adventurous tale of backpacking through Borneo that will have you packing your bags and resigning from work without a second thought.” — BC Magazine, Hong Kong, April 2009
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“Part of ‘The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series,’ Bumbling Through Borneo is a novel based on a true story, about an American architect on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the depths of Borneo, along with a dedicated troupe of backpackers. Set in the 1990s, Bumbling Through Borneo has a strong environmental message amidst its exciting narrative of exploring a virgin rainforest and encountering diverse cultures. Cartoon-sketch style illustrations on every page add life to this enthralling adventure, told in day-by-day journal format.” — Midwest Book Review
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“As I began reading, I realized that ‘Bumbling Through Borneo’ was nothing like I had expected. Most backpacking stories are a diary of sorts of the events and circumstances that the writer experienced on his or her travels. Although, we do have an account of the adventures in this book from the author, we also get something more. This is a short book about a man and the companions he picks up along the way as they backpack through Borneo and make their way up the Rejang River. It integrates an adventure story, with historical facts, country information, and a keen sense of the effects from deforestation and climate changes all in a comic book-like format …” — Melissa Koltes for RebeccasReads
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“Part of “The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series”, Bumbling Through Borneo is a novel based on a true story, about an American architect on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the depths of Borneo, along with a dedicated troupe of backpackers. Set in the 1990s, Bumbling Through Borneo has a strong environmental message amidst its exciting narrative of exploring a virgin rainforest and encountering diverse cultures. Cartoon-sketch style illustrations on every page add life to this enthralling adventure, told in day-by-day journal format.” — Small Press Bookwatch, May 2009
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“Part light-hearted travelogue, part graphic-novel, part responsible-travel treatise; this idiosyncratic tale of one man’s calling from his day-job in Hong Kong to the longhouses and rainforest of Sarawak, engages all senses in telling its author’s story. Packed with witty anecdotes, information on how to stage your own ‘bumble’ and unpretentious environmental advice, by the time you get to the last page you will have been persuaded to quit your own job in favour of a Bornean adventure.” — Peter Adkins, “Borneo in Books, a Countdown of Ten of the Best Books on Borneo,” Borneo Insider’s Guide, Apr-Jun 2012
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SELECT READER REVIEWS:
“What a unique book all ages can enjoy. It is a wonderfully light hearted story that is told in a comic book style of backpacking travel. Made me laugh out loud!” — P. Trail, Graphic Designer, USA
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“This book chronicles the journey of the main character, Bob, on his month-long trek through Borneo, in search of the answer to a secret message. He meets fellow travelers and local people along the way, encountering unusual, and often humorous, situations as a stranger in a strange land. I felt like I was tagging along with the hapless travelers as they made their way through the Borneo rainforest, along the way noting the effects of modernization and globalization on the natural environment. It was so engaging, I read the book in one evening, but could spend hours looking through the hundreds of detailed pen and ink illustrations. The book offers useful tips and travel information for those visiting Borneo and for world travelers in general. It’s a combination travel guide, vacation journal, and graphic novel, with an emphasis on eco-tourism and being a responsible traveler. The book ends with Bob starting a new adventure to solve the mystery. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment! ” — R. Totel, Architect, China
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“This is a very enjoyable reading experience. The story unfolds in a casual way which effectively brings the reader into the adventure alongside of the story teller. The main story is augmented with lots of travel notes and quick character studies and descriptions of people which add richness to the travel experience. The illustrations are profuse and very effective at capturing the sense of place and mood of the story.” — WG Hook, Architectural Illustrator, USA
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“The most ENJOYABLE and FUN travel writing book I have ever read. The book is unique on its own way by showing illustration and sketches! This book is not all just about going for holidays/trip, by putting issues such as environmental and culture awareness, it able to open our eyes and put more responsible on preserving nature and local cultures.” — Roland Rengga Jemie, Malaysia
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“Schmidt’s work bumbles through the veins of the disappearing rainforest of Borneo. His beautiful illustrations fill literally every page, and his accessible and vivacious prose fits all walks of life. The author also made an effort to provide socio-geographical details that are of great educational value. Bumbling Through Borneo is a must-read for those who desire to experience beyond city life and human civilizations. In sum, a beautiful and a meaningful work – I am looking forward to its sequels!” — Selina Lai, Hong Kong
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“Bumbling Through Borneo, by Tom Schmidt, is the story of an American architect named Bob, who has received a mysterious note in his mail inviting him to travel to Borneo in search of a “great reward”. Perhaps against his better judgment, Bob does so, and soon meets up with a myriad of unexpected traveling companions to help him on his quest. They find themselves traversing through an unknown country, hacking through thick jungles, fighting blood-sucking leeches, and more, while they come to the realization that all around them, this seemingly pristine jungle ecosystem is coming apart at the seams. I really enjoyed this book. It combined humor, interesting travel stories, and environmental issues into a quick and satisfying read. The characters were funny and likable, and the facts about Borneo scattered throughout this book were very informative. Definitely an enjoyable read for anyone interested in travel/adventure books.” — Annie, Canvas of a Billion Suns
Vol 2: Bumbling Through Sumatra
Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series: Volume 2
BUMBLING THROUGH SUMATRA
Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt
Follow the humorous illustrated day-to-day antics of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect, on his continuing quest across the Indonesian island of Sumatra with a ragtag troupe of bumbling backpackers. Share a harrowing nautical sojourn through the pirate-infested waters of the Strait of Malacca, misadventures in ports along Malaysia’s west coast, and an arduous overland journey across Sumatra ending with a mystical encounter with the shamans of the indigenous tribes of the Mentawai Islands. Discover Sumatra — a land rich in ancient treasures whose fate teeters in the environmental balance!
PARENTAL NOTICE: The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is intended for Ages 13 and above, and contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.
ORDER NOW!
Each Bumbling Through Sumatra book contains a collectible bookmark — collect all four styles and win a free gift! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
AWARDED CITATION BY AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS FOR PROMOTING VALUES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
BOOK REVIEWS:
Click here for more reviews“The only problem with Bumbling Through Sumatra is deciding whether to read the cracker of an adventure story or meandering over to the pages about piracy, orangutans or what causes a tsunami. The thing is those pages are just as engaging as the story. Devious man that Tom Schmidt … makes you learn stuff without your realising it.”
— Joan Lau, Managing Editor, The Malaysian Insider
CLICK HERE for an exclusive feature on book author Tom Schmidt by The Malaysian Insider
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“I enjoyed Bumbling Through Sumatra and am very supportive of the environmental awareness and culturally sensitive messages that are promoted in this book. It is a very educational and informative book while providing an entertaining way of telling various conservation messages through adventurous stories. The illustration and narration blend together very well, and brings the reader to explore the uniqueness of Sumatra’s land, water, culture and rich biodiversity.“
— Desmarita Murni, Communications Coordinator, WWF – Indonesia
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“Much like what Redmond O’Hanlon’s book, Into the Heart of Borneo, and others like it did for a score of adventure seekers, Thomas Schmidt’s book will tantalize those whom long for adventures in far-away places in Asia. There is much in this book to captivate the reader — the beautifully drawn illustrations, interesting characters, rich histories, encounters with local peoples and their customs, and tidbits about everything from pirates to indigenous cultures to the orangutan. In today’s world of tailored tourism, it is refreshing to see Schmidt travel the way travel ought to be done — with arms, eyes, and mind wide open.”
— Robert Lee, Ecologist, UNESCO
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“Bumbling Through Sumatra is funny, beautiful and informative. It conveys the local colors, describes the local communities with respect, and highlights environmental problems. It is a new kind of travelling book which I recommend everyone to read, not only us former backpackers. I am eagerly waiting for the third book in the series.”
— Mahmud Bangkaru, Founder of Yayasan Pulau Banyak (Foundation), Aceh
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“Architect, artist, writer, and modern-day adventurer, Tom Schmidt has combined his imaginative talents to thankfully create this engrossing sequel. Bumbling Through Sumatra picks up the dangling closure of his first book, continuing the travels and travails of his intrepid group in hiking, sailing, riding, or biking their way through some of the planet’s last fragile environments. The reader becomes the silent companion to his undaunted trekkers, connecting on many levels with their discoveries and disappointments in exotic places.With his entertaining drawing and journalistic writing styles, he brings into focus Sumatra’s people, customs, foods, wildlife, and architecture — and more. From the informative, well-researched sidebars of important ecologic facts, environmental or cultural issues, as well as practical traditions of everyday life, readers will become aware of the country’s biodiversity and its endangered condition.Travelers will be excited enough to get bags ready for a trip of their own. For readers of any age and culture, Bumbling Through Sumatra is a uniquely conceived, very entertaining book — and sheer fun!”
— Frank M. Costantino, Co-Founder, President Emeritus, American Society of Architectural Illustrators
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“A wonderful blend of story and things-you-should-know about Sumatra, really well written. Travelling to Sumatra? Take this. And a bednet.”
— Rob Mather, Founder, Against Malaria Foundation
BOOK STATISTICS:
Title: Bumbling Through Sumatra
Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt
ISBN: 978-988-18066-6-6
Category: Travel / Environment /Humor
Length: 144 pages
Retail Price: US$12.95
Binding: 6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) paperback
Additions: Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources, Collectible Bookmark
Illustrations: Original Line Art; 202 illustrations
Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber
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 AP, 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 is the founder of the architectural consultancy Sepia Design Consultants Limited.
He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997.
LINKS RELATED TO THIS BOOK:
Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre (MASDEC)
Trademarks: “Bumbling Traveller” and the Bumbling Traveller logo are registered trademarks of Kakibubu Media Limited and may not be used without written permission.
Vol 1: Bumbling Through Borneo
Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series: Volume 1
BUMBLING THROUGH BORNEO
Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt
Follow the humorous day-by-day account of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect, as he finds himself on an uncertain journey deep into the heart of Borneo with a small troupe of intrepid backpackers. Share an arduous journey up the fabled Rejang River to experience life in a traditional longhouse — ending in a deadly race through virgin rainforest aboard runaway logging trucks to a world of subterranean splendor. Discover the Malaysian state of Sarawak — a land abundant in nature’s treasures — ruled by a melting pot of cultures on a collision course with environmental catastrophe!
PARENTAL NOTICE: The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is intended for Ages 13 and above, and contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.
ORDER NOW!
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
SILVER MEDAL WINNER
13th Annual 2009
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER
3rd Annual 2009
MOONBEAM CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS
NAMED ONE OF “10 BEST BOOKS ON BORNEO” IN 2012 BORNEO INSIDER’S GUIDE
NAMED ONE OF TOP 30 GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR EARTH DAY 2012 BY LIBRARY JOURNAL
BOOK REVIEWS:
“… A travel book with a difference. Engagingly written and amusingly illustrated in comic book-style format, it combines a rollicking backpacker’s adventure tale in the heart of Southeast Asia’s disappearing jungles with an increasingly serious environmental message.”
— South China Morning Post
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“Interesting! Recommended reading for backpackers to Borneo.”
— Dato’ Dr. Dionysius Sharma, Executive Director / CEO, WWF – Malaysia
——————————————————————————————
“Encouraging anyone to have an interest in exploration and the natural world can never be a bad thing, so Bumbling Through Borneo, which is set to entertain while imparting information, is a welcome blend of narrative with an underlying conservation message … the underlying message is excellent — adventure mixed with fact and just thing to hook a youngster into wanting to explore the world.”
— Descent Magazine
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“This book is a unique approach to share stories of disappearing plants, animals, lands and waters local people need to survive. A good blend of a tourist rough guide, conservation notes and a comic book. A good treat for eyes and mind.”
— Ahmad Fuadi, Director of Communications, The Nature Conservancy – Indonesia
——————————————————————————————
“Bumbling Through Borneo is a classic Backpacker Yarn. Enlightening regional info digressions from the travelers’ tale highlight environmental devastation of a global treasure. Splendid comic book-style ink drawings illustrate the journey. Old travelers will chuckle at the wanderers’ jams, and young ones will be inspired to hit the road.”
— Judith Mayer, Coordinator, The Borneo Project
BOOK STATISTICS:
Title: Bumbling Through Borneo
Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt
ISBN: 978-988-18066-5-9
Category: Travel / Environment /Humor
Length: 112 pages
Retail Price: US$12.95
Binding: 6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) paperback
Additions: Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources
Illustrations: Original Line Art
Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber
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 AP, 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 is the founder of the architectural consultancy Sepia Design Consultants Limited.
He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997.
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