At Code&Quill, we only do two things. We develop new stuff and we improve what we already have.

You already know about our latest new stuff—the large-format Monolith notebook, which launched on Kickstarter this fall—and once again, we can’t thank our customers enough (especially our Kickstarter backers!) for making that possible. =]

But with the Monolith's launch behind us and 2016 almost over, now we’re focused on improving what we’ve already got. That’s where you come in—whether you’re already a customer or not. 

For the last two months, we’ve been learning more about y'all through our Customer Awesomeness Survey. (By the way, we’ve still giving the $5 credit for submitting your response, so share your two cents if you haven’t already!)

This week, we’re sharing some of what you've told us so far.
Want to hear what y'all think? 

Where has your Code&Quill notebook been with you? Any adventures?

For the most part, Code&Quill notebooks stick with their owners. Wherever you go, the notebooks go. 

That means some wild-and-crazy adventure locales—like Iceland or the Serengheti—for our better-traveled family members. But don't feel bad if your Code&Quill only bounces from backpack to desk . . . that's what happens to most of the notebooks we sell. =]

Some of the more interesting "adventures" in the Code&Quill collective:

• Writing jokes in a Traveler and taking it to comedy shows
• Hackathons and all-night "crunchtime" sessions
• Around town for local sketches, drawings, and people-watching notes
• Boatloads of job interviews (on both sides of the table)
• Chemotherapy to jot down notes and journal entries while waiting

How does your Code&Quill help you find ideas or solve problems?

As we showed you a couple weeks ago, Code&Quill tends to be popular among designers and developers—in large part because of the dot-grid-indentation-rule combo, which allows notetaking in tandem with drawing and diagramming. As it turns out, plenty of y'all—not just the code monkeys—like this feature, for both technical and creative reasons. Numerous people said they use their C&Q for bullet journaling, for example.

Like any notebook, a Code&Quill can be great for ideation—for dumping your brain onto the page and seeing what sticks. But unlike most other notebooks, a Code&Quill is designed for purposeful use—and we daresay it's easier to get motivated about writing in a book you love and can call your own.  

What's your dream Code&Quill product? 

Unsurprisingly, many of you suggested variations on our existing notebooks. Some of the more popular suggestions for notebook evolutions:

• More color options, including fresh limited-editions
• Additional page layouts/layout combos
• Removing/altering the branding on the front cover
• Short-run custom notebooks
• Small features like strap closure, pen loop, rear pocket, etc.

Here's what we can tell you in response (without promising deadlines or official details yet):

We do plan to introduce other colors, even if we keep the variety small. And we've been wanting to bring back limited editions for a while. =] (Remember these?)

We know the dot-grid/indentation-rule combo is unique; very few other notebooks have anything similar. We're open to new layout options—we recently added the indentation-rule-only option, for instance—but we'd need to make sure there's demand for a new option before we create it. 

As we've mentioned on the blog, we've recently rebranded our Scribe notebooks. We think that, by removing the patch and debossing our red ampersand in its place, we've improved the notebooks both functionally and aesthetically. If the re-branded Scribes do well, we'll re-brand the Travelers next.

We're playing new features by ear. We'll add what seems sensible (that's why we added a ribbon bookmark to the Monolith's design). But it's not our style to add things just to add them; simplicity and even minimalism are part of the appeal for us. So we'll never make the notebook equivalent of a Swiss Army knife.

Folks have also mentioned ideas for separate products—like pens, pencils, desk accessories, additional/external covers, and even some household electronics. We've got some new projects brewing . . . but the details will have to wait until next time. =] 

What's next with the survey?

This is just what we've heard so far. Here are your feedback options down the road:

(1) You can always comment below, give your two cents on Facebook, or email hello@codeandquill.com about what's been said already. 

(2) You can submit a survey response if you haven't already. Obviously we love to hear from you, so keep the feedback coming!

(3) We'll be adjusting the questions as we go forward. This is our "1.0 version" of the survey—and we're aware (for example) that none of the questions prompt critique or criticism. So far, we've learned the positives and gotten some ideas, but we'll be asking more about the negatives as well. 

(4) If we create a new survey, we'll create a new reward code—meaning that people who have already submitted will get another $5 reward for submitting new answers.  

We'll always keep an ear to the ground for you, especially as we begin 2017 with new goals and a fresh start. ("Fresh" except for, you know, the hangover.) 

To start the new year with a new notebook, come see our notebooks here. If you wanna be sociable, feel free to check out our Instagram or say hi on Facebook.