To begin: Collect a wide variety of paper samples and other paper ephemera across a range of weights, textures and surface finishes. This builds on your previous paper sample exercise from Part Two. Aim to collect a wide range of unprinted papers, such as blotting paper, tracing paper, lined paper, graph paper, rice paper and handmade papers. Look out for papers with special print finishes – metallic, embossed, shiny and matt. Aim to collect paper that is light as a feather and heavier, more dense, paper. Collect papers that will run through a conventional desktop printer, or indeed the print output options you have available to you – this may include board.
In addition, collect paper ephemera that you find interesting or that appeals to you in some way. This may include tickets, flyers and similar printed material or mementos or souvenirs of exhibitions, occasions and days out. Create a stack of these papers for use in your next few exercises.
In your learning log, document some of these papers and their attributes. Use a reflective approach and simple, descriptive words. For example, it may be that a heavy, coarse coloured paper reminds you of primary school, or the particular smell and shine of a paper puts you in mind of glossy magazines, or the fish and chip shop. Document these associations, however bizarre, into your learning log and/or ongoing paper sample book – you may revisit the words and phrases you use here later on in this process.
This pink kitchen paper puts me in mind of candy floss! Its feel is quite coarse and it is durable – which you’d expect in regards to its practical function. When folding this paper it develops a cushiony quality and becomes bouncy. The indented patterns also add to the tactile quality of the paper.
This greeting card is made of a thick card. It also features gold foiling and added glitter. This mix of techniques creates peaks and troughs and rough and smooth areas on the surface of the card. Somehow, this puts me in mind of champagne. I’m not sure whether it’s the general association with celebrations or perhaps the sparkling glitter that reminds me of champagne bubbles – perhaps both!
This UV gloss is taken from one of the sample books I have collected. It is a thick paper but the defining feature is the ultraviolet coating. I tried to capture a light reflection in this image to show what effect the UV gloss has on the look of the paper. It is very shiny but the light reflection also looks broken and muted. This makes me associate the look of the paper with water and what it looks like to look up towards the sun from underwater.
Another sample from a book. This thick and rough card has a very grainy finish. It reminds me of old grainy photographs.
This sample from a newspaper is thin and quite transparent. Newspapers need to be cheaply made so you don’t expect fine quality paper inside them. Perhaps the brief here influenced my thought process but especially when holding the paper, I can’t help but be reminded of fish ‘n’ chip shop paper.
Tracing paper takes the transparency to the next level. It is a kind of paper that is so light and airy that you’re almost afraid it might float away of its own accord. The effect it has upon underlying material reminds me of frosted windows in bathrooms.
This vinyl cover is perhaps the example that most needs to be touched to understand it’s unique quality. When you run your finger across it it feels a little bit like rubber with some friction or perhaps like it has a layer of dust on top of it. It has very muted colours and is a matte card with a finish on top.
Daniel's OCA Blog: Book Design 1 