From the Desk of…SusyJack
SusyJack, created by Susan Connor, was definitely one of my favorite lines to debut at the National Stationery Show this year. (And as a little sidenote: I’m pleased to say that the SusyJack line became a recent addition to Mixed Co. as well!) The image above shows Susan’s ringlet jotters as well as a comp for a new product that she says mingles with items-in-production. For Susan, she says, “It’s important for me to create things that have continuity…and yet are going someplace new.” Word.
What’s on her desk (in her words): 1) shoeboxes to organize the different pieces and parts of orders that need to go out; 3) natural light. I’m totally a morning person and the light really helps me stay lively and focused; 3) computer; 4) mug of tea, usually decaf; 5) stack o’ cards; 6) clipboard and inspirations; 7) sketchbook and pencil cup. I use all of my own designs to make sure they work and also to find out what it’s like for my customers. Using them really helps me to make improvements to the products and to get ideas for new ones.
About SusyJack:
Created by Susan Connor, a Manhattan artist and designer, the collection emerged in 2007 as bold new alternative in the paper goods market. Inspired by everything from trips to the hardware store to textiles and fashion, the collection’s joyful colors, carefully chosen materials, and fun, functional product brings paper to a new place; as much a statement of the user’s individuality and style as it is a useful and artistic object.
From the Desk of…Jason Munn
I’ve always harbored this semi-secret desire to design band posters, so naturally, I’ve looked up to Jason Munn of The Small Stakes. He’s a demigod of sorts in this area with a poster style that’s simple and well-edited while communicating a visual narrative. The above image is one of his most recent projects that he completed for Insound called Insound 20, featuring 20 different t-shirts and posters for 20 different bands.
What’s on his desk (in his words): I’m typically working half in my sketchbook and half on the computer, keeping my sketchbook in front of my keyboard. There is always a Pantone color guide within reach and I usually have some random sheets of tracing paper that I use to create more detailed sketches. The reason I use tracing paper is because I often will do a sketch and like only part of it and I’ll fold the paper and trace the part I like and redraw the part I don’t like. I use random pens, pencils, and sharpies. I’m not picky about what I draw or sketch with. The Art Deco Alphabets book is one of my favorites.
About Jason Munn:
Jason Munn is originally from Wisconsin but now calls Oakland,
California home. Arising from a love of independent music, design, and
making for the sake of making, his posters soon became a fixture in the
local independent music scene. He started The Small Stakes in the fall of 2003, a design studio producing internationally commissioned work in a range of print materials, including book covers, album packaging, T-shirt designs, screen-printed posters, and illustrations. Jason’s work has appeared in Print, Communication Arts, and ReadyMade, to name a few. His work has also been featured in numerous exhibits and is part of the permanent collection at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
