Paper matters

Tuesday, 4 April 2017

In a digital world where people are absorbed with their screens, including myself, I have just received some gorgeous business cards back from the printer. They have a raised spot UV varnish on my client’s name so you can feel the design and well as see it. We are human beings with at least five senses (many neurologists identify nine plus, with some listing as many as 21!) with touch being one of them. When receiving printed material this sense plays an important part of the experience and as well as being visually stimulating, a tactile design can add to the interaction, creating a superior impression. Using textured paper, raised spot UV and embossing are examples of how designers can add another element to their design, making it more ‘touchy feely’.

I sit down every evening my with little boy to read, and a lot of the younger children’s books include a tactile experience, encouraging the child to enjoy and investigate. I don’t think this should stop with children, going back to my delight of receiving the business cards and how special they are with the combined look AND feel. So paper matters to me, and as a designer in a digital age, still needs great consideration when creating the delights of printed material!