Why I Love PaperThe name paper derives from papyrus, the material used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. For thousands of years, hand-made methods dominated and then, during the 19th century, paper production became industrialized.
I remember the first time I found myself lost in the tactile experience of “feeling” paper. As a junior in High School I attended a summer program at Parsons School of Art and Design, one of our trips was touring the Mohawk Paper Mills, I had no idea how involved the paper making process was, I was in awe. Later as a graphic design student at Pratt I spent countless hours at the local art store Jake's choosing the paper my next assignment would be created on, considering the texture and color to reflect my ideas.
When I began in this field designers’ tools were the visual ideas in our heads both waking and dreaming. The skill was using the tools you had at your disposal to make the concept come to life. I owned hundreds of colored markers in ultra fine to bold tipped, the smell of which gave anyone within a 500-foot vicinity a nice little high. And my studio shelves was filled with paper stock sample books.
Even today whenever I pass a great paper store in Manhattan I feel giddy and have to check it out. I promise my husband I will just be 5 minutes and somehow an hour later I’m still mesmerized feeling the paper stock and inspired by all the papermaking and printing techniques, both old and new.
And now, we stare at a computer we think inside a box, we have no tactile experience that comes with our concepts. I’m the first to admit that my apple is an amazing and invaluable tool and no I wouldn’t go back, but what have we all lost! According to an article from Mohawk Paper titled Print as Urban Legend “Print gives us what all too often electronic media lacks – that feeling of the human spirit, permanence, honesty and quality”
Now more than ever a beautifully designed and professionally printed piece, with its tactile characteristics makes a positive impact on whoever receives it.
So what do you think?
Ann Byne, Principal/Creative Director
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5 comments:
I understand completely. I have stacks of paper that I'm holding on to in hopes of using it. I have boxes of paper sample books that I keep for design inspiration, and just to look at how beautiful they are. And I agree with you that in the world of electronic media in which we now live, a beautifully designed print piece with gorgeous paper is sure to make a big impression.
Yeah Jake's! They had EVERYTHING!
Painting, Class of 1976
Next time you're in downtown Manhattan check out Printicon (7w 18th street) it's a great little paper and print shop, Paper Access is right next door and one the best hot chocolates I've ever tasted is served in a gourmet cafeteria a few doors down. A triple delight!!!
i have to confess i share your passion. when i get a nice greeting card i do cut it up and recycle the nice parts for tags, handmade cards, scrapbooking ideas, even decoupage. we'd not to put printers out of biz, but we all need to think about the resulting deforestation. like everything else, find a balance i guess.
I'm with you Becca, and don't you really appreciate it when you get that handwritten note on beautiful paper! I especially like the note cards you can get at The Met (embossed and heavy weight!)
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