TLDR
Proposal for Funding from NOUNSDAO to Support the NFT Yearbook Project
The NFT Yearbook is a unique blend of a digital and physical artifact that boasts 420 pages and weighs 6.9 pounds. It is the largest democratically populated chronicling of the NFT space, and with the support of the NOUNSDAO, we aim to spread the word of web3, NOUNS, and cryptoart around the world, claiming our shared narrative and telling the story of web3 through the eyes of those building it.
The project has chronicled the web3 narrative from the very beginning to 2022, featuring contributions from over 550 artists, collectors, founders, creators, and community members through a democratic nomination process. The yearbook is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history and future of web3.
We believe that NOUNSDAO is a perfect fit for supporting the NFT Yearbook project. The DAO is a community of dedicated web3 enthusiasts who are passionate about spreading the word about this new technology. With the DAO's support, we can reach a wider audience and make a greater impact.
In collaboration with NOUNSDAO, we propose: a) Adding the NOUNS DAO logo, visuals, and content to all 3000 NFT Yearbooks. b) Creating a limited edition NFT Yearbook with a custom NOUNS cover, to be airdropped to all NOUNS holders. c) Printing and strategically placing 100 additional custom NOUNSDAO NFT Yearbooks around the world in strategic libraries / museums such as Harvard Business School, which has already collected 2 NFT Yearbooks for its libraries and permanent archives.
The total cost for this proposal is 88.6815 Ξ
Introduction
The NFT Yearbook project has captured a snapshot of the rapidly evolving web3 landscape. It's a comprehensive 420-page, 6.9lbs coffee table book, and a 3D digital readable. It spotlights over 550 artists, collectors, founders, creators, and community members, including many NOUNS fam. Link to participants list: https://twitter.com/i/lists/1559260935520411650
Throughout the past year, we've accumulated over 750 hours of recorded interviews, encapsulating the web3 narrative from the perspectives of those actively shaping it.
A notable aspect of our project is its community-driven nature. The book was co-written and co-curated by the community. Each interviewee nominated other participants for the book, ensuring diversity, equality, and inclusivity.
We've also introduced a unique feature to increase engagement: blank content spaces as rarity traits. These spaces allow random NFT holders to contribute to the final version of the book, both digital and physical.
A 1/1 cover created by 0xDariush
Being a 100% bootstrapped and small team, we've strived to ensure that all artists involved in the project can profit from their contributions by creating a 1:1 cover for the book, auctioned on SuperRare, with 100% of the profits returning to the artists.
In a month and a half, our 1/1 sales have reached 58.150Ξ. Moreover, three artists were invited to SuperRare thanks to the NFT Yearbook project. 79 artists participated in the 1/1 covers and our all-time high sale was 10ETH by thr33som3s.
Our main collection of NFT Yearbooks is hosted on OpenSea, and we've sold 1277 units out of the 3000 total, to date.
We're proud to announce that the NFT Yearbook was already collected by libraries at Harvard University/HBS, and the books will be placed in their permanent archives. This opportunity would place a NOUNS DAO limited edition cover yearbook in two of the most significant academic libraries globally, cementing its cultural significance.
With this proposal, we aim to increase the reach of the NOUNSDAO with the historically important content of the NFT Yearbook, to an additional 100 locations worldwide (famed libraries, galleries, etc.)= more NOUNS, everywhere!
Project Details
The NFT Yearbook is a pioneering project that combines the physical and digital realms of art and literature. This 420-page coffee table book, weighing in at 6.9 lbs, captures the web3 narrative from the perspective of those who are actively building it. It is also available as a 3D digital readable yearbook, enhancing the experience of the readers.
Over 550 artists, collectors, founders, creators, and community members, many from NOUNSDAO, are featured in this comprehensive collection. The book is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity of the web3 community, serving as a historical record of the NFT space till 2022.
Our team has spent over 750 hours recording interviews, providing a wealth of insights and experiences. Additionally, each interviewee was given the opportunity to nominate other participants. This democratic approach to curation ensures that the final product is a true reflection of the community's diversity and inclusivity.
The NFT Yearbook is more than just a static record. It's a participatory project that invites engagement from its readers. A unique feature of the book is the opportunity for all holders to submit content for a blank space, making it a truly community-curated project.
The Team The book is created and published by Metaverse Publishing, a new bootstrapped web3 company lead by co-founders @CryptoForager81, (Sol Fayerman-Hansen) the ex-head of innovation at the Bank of Montreal and active in blockchain since 2014, and, @CryptoDashi (Dan Stern) who has 10 years of experience in e-Commerce entrepreneurship and DTC experiences creation. Both have been degening since 2017. The third co-founder of Metaverse Publishing is a storied IRL coffee table book publisher with 30-years of experience and 300+ physical coffee table books produced, printed and shipped globally -Global Village Publishing.
Metaverse Publishing The NFT Yearbook is our first step, our contribution to this space. This unique web3 + in-house IRL publishing capability positions Metaverse Publishing to create some real dope sh*t, and it all starts with The NFT Yearbook.
Market Validation
The NFT Yearbook project has already demonstrated its appeal and relevance within the community. In just a short span of time, we've managed to attract a passionate, dedicated community that actively participates in the project's development.
The project's notability extends beyond our community. The NFT Yearbook has been recognized by prestigious institutions, including Harvard University, which has included the yearbook in its library collection. This validation from such a renowned educational institution emphasizes the yearbook's cultural and academic significance.
The community's response has been overwhelmingly positive, with active engagement and enthusiasm for the project. NOUNS DAO members have been integral to the project, participating in decisions, suggesting ideas, and contributing content.
Goals and Milestones
Here are our specific goals and milestones:
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Finalize the book design with NOUNS DAO: With the funding, we aim to finalize the design of the book, incorporating the NOUNS DAO community's feedback and ensuring the highest quality. The NFT Yearbook is complete outside of NOUNS DAO content.
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Production: Upon design finalization, we'll move into production. Each NFT Yearbook comes in digital and physical form, each beautifully bound and printed to the highest standards.
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Distribution: Once the yearbooks are printed, we will handle distribution. We aim to distribute the yearbooks to strategic libraries (two libraries at Harvard have already collected the book and will be placed in their permanent archives), institutions, and individuals around the world, thereby spreading the influence and reach of our community's creative output. For any NOUNS that do not wish to receive their physical books to their address (anons), they will have the option of allowing us to place their books wherever they would like them...schools, libraries, hotels, etc.
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Community Engagement: As a key part of our mission, we will continue to engage our community in the development and refinement of the NFT Yearbook project. This includes seeking their input on design, content, and distribution strategies.
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Placing 100 Limited Edition NOUNS Cover Yearbooks In Strategic Libraries / Museums : With the funding of this prop, Metaverse Publishing will print ( and create the NFTs ) of 100 NOUNS cover NFT Yearbooks and place them in Strategic libraries and institutions. We'll start with Harvard Business School which has already collected 2 NFT Yearbooks for its permanent libraries. We'll seek the community's support and recommendations to assist with this important mission.
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Future Editions: Securing this funding will help set the foundation for the production of future editions of the NFT Yearbook, ensuring that this becomes a tradition within our community, celebrating and documenting our achievements each year with NOUNS as a central figure in the future publications.
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NOUNS 3D books The NFT Yearbook will revolutionize NOUNSDAO book projects (past and future) by transforming them into interactive 3D readable books that can be minted, have AR and VR capabilities, can be read in virtual worlds, etc.
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Open-source / free tools We will give all NOUNSDAO community first access to our open-source and free 3D book creation software, which empowers artists and authors to create immersive and interactive books, enabling them to bring their stories to life in a captivating three-dimensional environment.
The latest sample - the layout displayed is not final
The Impact
→ Spreading the love: NOUNS will enter up to 3,075 new homes + 100 major, strategic public locations, worldwide.
→ NOUNS and the NFT Yearbook go to Harvard Business School + 100 libraries / museums / galleries / schools...forever! The NFTYB was collected by 2 libraries in Harvard Business School and once printed, will be placed in Baker Library and the main Harvard library on campus. Plus, we will reserve 10 additional units to be collected by future libraries/archives.
→ Supporting the largest-ever chronicling of the space, and contributing to this historical project.
→ Supporting an innovative bootstrapped web3 company, seeking to spearhead publishing 3.0 and empower the next gen of creators of web3.
→ Create a new experience for past and future books supported by the DAO. We’re working on making all Metaverse Publishing books compatible in online galleries, VR and AR platforms, as well as metaverse platforms (for example, OnCyber).
Project Timeline
NFT Yearbook Timeline:
Interviews: Completed prior to the timeline start. Writing of the Book: Completed prior to the timeline start. Public Sale: Completed prior to the timeline start.
Remaining Tasks:
Completion of Community Content (May 2023): May 1-28, 2023: Gather and review community submissions (including NOUNSDAO). May 16-25, 2023: Samples - Quality control checks and adjustments, if necessary. May 28-31, 2023: Incorporate the community content into the book and prepare the finalized book layout for printing.
Physical Printing of the Books (June/July 2023): June 1-30, 2023: Print the NFT Yearbook.
Shipping (End of July 2023): July 3-16, 2023: Prepare for shipping, including packaging and labeling. July 17, 2023: Open physical claim and begin shipping the NFT Yearbooks to customers.
Budget Breakdown
The total budget for the NFT Yearbook project is 88.6815 ETH
Here's how it will be allocated:
Commission for NOUNS Limited Edition Cover: A total of 3 ETH will be allocated for commissioning an artist, voted by NOUNS Prop House to create three different versions of the limited edition cover.
Production and Delivery of Books: The rest of the funds, which total 88.6815 ETH, will be allocated to Metaverse Publishing for the production and delivery of the NFT Yearbooks. This allocation includes:
- Printing and placing an additional 100 NOUNS Cover NFT Yearbooks in strategic locations, worldwide, starting with Harvard Business School.
- Cost of producing the digital and physical versions of the NFT Yearbook with the limited edition NOUNS DAO cover.
- Cost of delivery, which includes worldwide shipping and taxes.
- The claim for the 6.9lbs physical coffee table book.
The allocation is based on the public mint price of the book (0.1195 ETH per book), multiplied by the total number of books (717 books).
The funds will be transferred to the Metaverse Publishing multisig Safe wallet.
Conclusion
The NFT Yearbook project is an innovative initiative to preserve and celebrate the vibrant, diverse, and rapidly evolving web3 community. By incorporating NOUNS DAO into this historical chronicle and funding the placement of 100 books in strategic libraries around the world, we are not only recognizing the significant role of the DAO and its members in shaping the web3 landscape, but we are also furthering our commitment to diversity, equality, inclusivity and building a community driven narrative of the amazing world of web3.
The proposed budget of 88.6815 ETH will enable the production and delivery of a limited edition NFT Yearbook featuring a unique NOUNS DAO cover, both in digital and physical formats and placing an additional 100 NOUNS NFT Yearbooks in strategic locations around the world. This endeavor will help NOUNS DAO to have a tangible and lasting impact, reaching up to 3,075 new homes worldwide, and even prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School.
By supporting this project, NOUNS DAO will contribute to an important historical project, while also paving the way for the future of publishing in the web3 space. The NFT Yearbook not only represents a snapshot of the current state of the NFT community, but it also serves as a vision of what the community can accomplish in the future.
We appreciate your consideration of this proposal and look forward to the opportunity of working with NOUNS DAO on this significant project.