Annie Ujifusa BB ’25

“I had finally found my career path”

Bookbinding ’25
Age 31
Boston, Massachusetts

For a decade, Annie worked seasonal jobs outside national parks across the country. She loved it, but knew it wasn’t sustainable for her in the long run. While making a box to hold the tickets, maps, and other paper items she’d collected on her travels, Annie stumbled across the field of bookbinding and knew she had found her calling.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself—how old you are and where you’re from?

I’m 31, and originally from just north of Seattle in Washington state. I moved from Birmingham, Alabama, to Boston to attend North Bennet.

What were you doing before NBSS, and what inspired the change?

For the better part of a decade, I traveled as much as I could and worked seasonally, mostly for private campgrounds outside national parks. It was a blast, but I knew that wasn’t going to be sustainable for me in the long run. Most recently, I worked remotely in accounts payable for a Washington-based company. I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted a change.

When/how did you discover your discipline/field?

I was making a box to hold all the paper items, like tickets and maps, that I had collected on my travels, and wanted to figure out how to title it. I stumbled upon a YouTube video of someone making a book from start to finish, and I was immediately captivated. When I Googled bookbinding classes, the first thing that came up was North Bennet. I was floored—I didn’t know that I could make a career out of it. I was immediately in love with the idea and knew that this was what I was meant to be doing.

Why did you choose to invest in training for a new career?

The more I researched North Bennet and looked into the Bookbinding program, the more I knew I had finally found my career path. It was one of those life-altering moments that I’ll never forget.

In what ways have you felt supported during your time at NBSS?

I have been supported in every possible way! Financial aid and scholarships made it possible for me to attend. My instructors have been there for me when I needed advice and mentorship. The friends that I made in the program have been incredible—we encourage each other, offer advice, and constantly ignite each other’s curiosity. And the supportive community is not just in Bookbinding, but throughout the entire School.
 
Esther Tutella-Chen, Director of Student Support & Career Services, has been wonderful. She does everything from stocking the free pantry at School to listening to concerns and coordinating mental health support. The Marketing team does so much to promote our work and share it with the world. Plus, the Facilities team made it possible for me to quit my two other jobs by offering a position that covered my needs financially and gave me access to the building as a student worker. Everyone here is the best!

How do you feel at the end of a full day in the shop today compared to before NBSS?

When I leave the bench room, I’m excited to get back at it tomorrow. Bookbinding is an obsession for me—I joke that it is my entire personality now! I go to bed thinking about what I want to do the next day. I wake up eager to get to school.

The physical proof of progress is extremely motivating and has been good for my mental health, as is working with my hands. In hindsight, I was struggling with my mental health a bit before coming here, and this work has been transformative for me.

What’s next for you?

I was hired as a full-time Conservation Technician in the Conservation Lab in Special Collections at the Boston Public Library. I’ll be practicing hands-on book conservation every day. It’s my dream job. It’s unbelievable. Book conservation is where I want to be—it’s magical.

If you could sum up your NBSS experience in one word or phrase, what would it be—and why?

Fulfilling, and the best decision I ever made. North Bennet changed my life. I found my purpose. I’m grateful because there aren’t a lot of programs like this one—to find bookbinding in conjunction with book conservation is rare. Learning both has been essential to understanding the field as a whole.

What’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve received while at NBSS?

The concept that handmade things aren’t perfect. I am a perfectionist, so my default state of mind is that nothing is ever really done. But this program has helped me a lot with that, because the charm from handmade things comes from the fact that they aren’t perfect. 

I’ve also learned to trust my senses. We don’t use a lot of mathematical measurements. We try to trust our eye and what we feel and what we hear, even. If it looks centered, it’s centered. If it looks straight, it’s straight. We don’t want to be machine-accurate or machine-precise. We want to be able to see the human touch.

What is one of your favorite lunch spots near NBSS?

North Street Grille for brunch. They have these breakfast pancake tacos that are so good. And Table Mercato is an Italian market and sandwich shop. I love being here in Little Italy.

What’s your favorite tool or technique you’ve learned to use?

Gold tooling, for sure. I love gold tooling. It’s challenging, but it’s enchanting.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made during your time at NBSS?

A historical model of a gothic binding. It was delightful to make, and it’s beautiful. Every single step was exciting and satisfying, from shaping the wooden boards to making the brass claps. There were a lot of new techniques it required, but at the same time, it brought together a lot of the skills we learned over the course of the program.

This story is from our Summer 2025 issue of Benchmarks magazine. View more issues.