The holidays are supposed to be a time to relax, enjoy the quiet and de-stress. With all of the preparation for the “big guy” we all know that's not the case, until maybe about 3pm on Christmas day when the gifts have been opened, the roast is in the oven, and my family is all settled in for an afternoon nap.
In our design studio the rush to greet Santa on time is no different. Projects seem to roar in from out of the blue and there’s a sense of urgency to put the last project under the tree before leaving for the holiday break. (Now I know how Santa must feel around the old workshop every December!) This year, one of our favorite print suppliers asked us to create a holiday card for them. For a printer, purchasing a pre-made holiday card is akin to your favorite baker bringing a supermarket pie to the holiday dinner. So what to make for a business that specializes in printing beautiful cards and publications all day long?
The concept was right before our noses in the piles of paper trimmings and printed samples adorning every surface of their print shop like an avalanche obliterating a ski slope. How about we create a card using these samples? And since the printed pieces represent their clients, the card will then become not only a greeting, but a subtle reflection of their clients, and a “thank you” as well.
A little snip here and a critical cut there, a little folding and joining, a pile of “snow dust” from the hole punching machine, and then a little creative photography—and wallah!—an instant wintery forest scene, complete with pre-decorated trees. The last time we had this many paper clippings hit the floor was when we cut snowflakes the size of hula hoops for one of our own cards.
Given the stress the holidays can bring, we wish you peace—and here’s hoping the new year will be packed with creativity and a little bit of pixie dust for everyone.