Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case WIP - Update with PICS

[IMFletcher]

I just bought an Android tablet and I am making a leather case for it. I was thinking about doing a Hitchhiker's Guide case. I haven't seen a tablet case done this way and although there will be a size difference, I think the cool factor will trump that. It seems that the black binding with red letters (pictured here) is the definitive prop design.

I am pretty sure this was used in the film but I am interested in seeing screenshots of the one used on the BBC television show. It has been a long time since I have seen it and can't remember what the guide looked like on there. Does anyone have screenshots or photos or even remember and can describe it?

 

[breen2057]

re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

i would love one of these for my kindle.

 

[Jack T Chance]

re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

The problem is that finding pictures of the prop from the TV series adaptation is ridiculously hard. A Google Image search turned up nada, zip, zilch, nothing.

But think of a scientific calculator crossed with a BlackBerry, it was something along those lines. Screen at the top, about the same aspect ratio as a standard definition TV screen, and some sort of keypad below. It slipped into a large green container with a flip-top lid at the top. The case had the words DON'T PANIC imprinted on it in large, friendly letters.

Better to go with the movie prop as an inspiration, that would look better as the basis for a case for an ebook reader or tablet computer. In fact, there's a company that has already made at least 1 iPad case based on the Guide...



It was to be given away as a prize in an online contest, so I don't know if they ever actually made it available for sale to the public.

And if the quality is sufficiently high (real leather being a must,) I wouldn't mind one of these that can fit my 1st Generation Nook.

 

[Birdie]

re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Here ya go, the DVD image quality is shocking :unsure

The Book

The Case

 

[IMFletcher]

re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Ok, looks like I am going with the Film Version! I will post WIP pic on this thread as I progress. I think I will use tooling leather and acrylic paint. Tool the lettering and the design on the back, then dye and paint.... hhhmmmm....

What do you think, should it look new or aged?

 

[Contec]

re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

aged....everything looks better if it looks used.

 

[Zombie_61]

re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

...everything looks better if it looks used.

Except Lindsay Lohan.

 

[Contec]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

lol

Except Lindsay Lohan.

 

[IMFletcher]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

yea, she looks like chewed bubble gum now....

 

[Too_Many_Cars]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

I'm in if you ever make a second one. I recently hacked the splash screens on my Kindle to add the H2G2 logo since I couldn't find a patch to put on the fabric case:

Kindle H2G2

This 'papercraft' 1:1 model may give you some help with the layout:
http://paperkraft.blogspot.com/2010/11/hitchhikers-guide-to-galaxy-papercraft.html

The "Wikipedia" joke inside is pretty spot on on that replica.

--Brian

 

[Antinmarple]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Hi,


These are images of a replica of the original TV prop that I friend of mine has produced for SciFi and Fantasy Modeller magazine. Hope they are of interest.

 

[big F]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

I think you will do well with this I can think of two people who would want one. Maybe you may need to think up an iPad version too.

 

[IMFletcher]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

So I started the tooling and construction process. I had to make a hole in the backside to accommodate the camera lens. Now I need to figure out the holes for the buttons on the side, paint and stain and then stitch.

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Hi,


These are images of a replica of the original TV prop that I friend of mine has produced for SciFi and Fantasy Modeller magazine. Hope they are of interest.

Oh man! I'd love to get me this one. Beautiful work.

 

[cavx]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Brilliant. Loved the original BBCs TV series, not so keen on the film though.

 

[Jet Beetle]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Brilliant. Loved the original BBCs TV series, not so keen on the film though.

Same here. I'm sure I'd feel differently if they had just paid Bill Murray what he wanted to put him in the part of Ford Prefect.

 

[Slave1]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Hi,


These are images of a replica of the original TV prop that I friend of mine has produced for SciFi and Fantasy Modeller magazine. Hope they are of interest.

Oh man, how do I get one of those?

 

[IMFletcher]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

So here it is ALMOST complete. I have to paint the thumb logo on the back and paint the name on the spine. It's funny.... Tooling the leather isn't half as bad as hand painting the watered down acrylic paint! But I think it's probably better than a stencil and an airbrush...

The lettering needs about 2 more coats so you win't see brush strokes...

The RPF in the GUIDE!!

 

[IMFletcher]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

The last steps will be forming the inside leather to the shape of the tablet edges, burnishing the edges and putting a gloss over it. Not sure yet about aging it.....

 

[Lorum Ipsum]

Re: Hitchhiker's Guide Tablet case?

Hello there. I was looking through the RPF for something and came across this replica that your friend made. Would he make any more per chance..? I've bene dying to get my hands on one of the TV series Guides for years and years. Thanks ever so much.