Alex Charchar from RetinArt has just written a fantastic article for Jacob Cass’s ‘Just Creative Design’ blog in which he talks about the key role paper plays in the design process. He cites Dumbo feather as an example of how paper can be “warm and soft” and “can help set a mood and feeling in your audience before a single word is read or a fraction of an image absorbed.” We couldn’t agree more.
When we began the process of designing Dumbo feather we developed a set of characteristics we wanted it to embody - amongst them were intimacy, authenticity, quality and respect for the environment. When making each and every decision in the design process, we’d come back to these characteristics. They meant that the paper stock had to be of a good weight (and quality - it had to last and feel valued/treasured), couldn’t be glossy (because Df’s not about the ‘glossy PR’ version of the story, but the real authentic one - warts ‘n’ all) and had to be matt and uncoated, and had to have the least impact possible on the environment (hence the 100% post-consumer recycled stock and soy-based inks).
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Hi there! Thank you so very much for the kind words about my article I wrote for Jacob — it made my day to go from reading the latest issue of DF over a cup of coffee, to jumping on the net and seeing this mention, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
“…amongst them were intimacy, authenticity, quality and respect for the environment”
You got all these down perfectly, I think. Every time a new issue arrives in the mail I flip through the pages quickly without reading a word and enjoy the warmth it gives through the gentle colours of the photos and the beautiful paper choices you’ve made
I’m a Graphic Designer and couldn’t agree more about the importance of paper. It’ll make or break a good design and is too often neglected. I LOVE paper and see it as one of the most fun parts of any job. We’re so fortunate too that the enviro stuff has come such a long way. Hooray for paper I say!!!