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Paper creations by Jenny Pinto

Rita — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:10:03 +0000

I’m always excited by useful objects made with beautiful paper. I was enchanted by the completely sustainable paper lamp designed by the talented Mr. Gardener. Now, I’m a regular visitor to this incredible resource for paper and product lovers.

Jenny Pinto is a hugely talented designer operating from her studio in Bangalore, India. She makes paper by hand the old-fashioned way using agricultural and waste fibers from the banana tree, sisal, river grasses, and more. The papers have a rich textural quality. Wow. Oh, please let me touch…. Check out her inspired paper designs.

All art from jennypinto.com.

Unbleached banana fiber paper sandwiched with paper strips

Dyed shibori paper

The papers get turned into yummy stationery…

Filebox made from assorted fiber papers

Journal, banana fiber

… And gorgeous, gorgeous, lighting for home and studio.

"Oyster Mushroom," banana fibers

"Spider," banana fibers; handcut

"Dried Flower," banana fibers

Have mercy.

Then it gets better.

Jenny has a heart of gold. To source material, she contacted NGOs working with women in rural parts. She then taught key members of each group her paper-making techniques, and empowered them to be self-sustaining entrepreneurs who make and market paper products. Read about Jenny’s vision here.

If you’re ever in Bangalore, be sure to contact Jenny and visit her studio for more art and exquisiteness.

"Time Maps"

"Water Stories," hand stitched and sculpted book

Tom Biederbeck

Rita — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:35:52 +0000

Art from feltandwire.com

I was delighted to hear that Tom Biederbeck is editing Mohawk’s admirable Felt & Wire site, and the newsfeed for the Academy of Art Univ (my alma mater). Tom, originally of STEP and the effervescent Dynamic Graphics Magazine, is one of the finest editors I’ve had the privilege to work with. I had written for many publications and books before I started my columns with his magazines, but it was different with Tom. I’d hand him my technically-sound writing (at least it was that) and it would emerge colorful and interesting. I’d gape at the edited draft. “I wrote this?”

And, I’ve also missed our long conversations about art and life…

Felt and Wire is eye candy for designers interested in paper art and products. Really gets my creative juices going. I visit their shop often to drool over the “curated paper goods.”

We can now look forward to Tom’s curated musings too.

GGG at MediaBistro’s Ebook Summit

Rita — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:25:17 +0000

Last month’s Ebook Summit in NYC was informative and gave us many opportunities to show n tell. The audience was mainly publishing types (editors, authors, agents, publishers and distributors). Read reviews of the speakers and events here.

Graphics Gone Green had a table at the event, and we generated a lot of interest and buzz at our table. Here are some pictures.

The following week, mediabistro’s blogs, GalleyCat and eBookNewser sent me these questions to answer:
They asked for some some practical tips for how publishers can set up an environment-friendly policy; and what the eBook revolution will mean for the environmental footprint of publishers.

My replies were posted on GalleyCat and eBookNewser. Good press.

Rita — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:22:50 +0000

We’re excited to attend and exhibit at the first-ever eBook Summit in NY. Hosted by mediabistro, It runs December 15-16, and will give us exposure to new technologies for ebook platforms, and a chance to seek new distribution channels.

Visit us there!

Design it to last

Rita — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:47:46 +0000

A packaging tip: Although this seems counterintuitive, consider a packaging design that lasts beyond its initial use. Packaging themselves can become keepsakes if they are attractive and durable enough to provide an alternative use.

Jewelry Designer Mimi Tudor likes to re-purpose interesting everyday containers to package her creations. Anything from used cupcake boxes, chocolate tins, and packaging for tea products enjoy a lovely second life in her studio.

D-Schools that teach sustainable design

Rita — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:26:15 +0000

Hello,

Since we launched the ebook, I’ve been asked to recommend design schools that offer “remedial” training in sustainable design. It’s an urgent need. I know of a few schools that offer flexibility with e-learning, and distance learning options.

The venerable CCA in San Francisco offers an MBA in Design Strategy. The program chair, Nathan Shedroff, is an expert in sustainable design and a prolific author of books on the subject.

The Presidio Graduate School, another local San Francisco institution, offers an MBA in Sustainable Management. (Nathan Shedroff is a graduate of this program.)

MCAD Minneapolis College of Art and Design offers a Sustainable Design Certificate that covers a large territory–graphic design, packaging, product design, and more.

If you hear of others, please forward!

- Rita

A book is born

Rita — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:23:14 +0000

After a year and a half, it was a true labor of love. Even feels like giving birth–euphoria and utter exhaustion.

“Graphics Gone Green. Ways to Go Green Without Losing Your Shirt,” our PDF-based ebook is ready. All 157 glorious pages with thousands of links, hyper-linked x-refs, video interviews and more. It’s aimed at creative professionals who wish to make their workflows more sustainable. Erica and I thought long and hard about how we designers like to learn and process information. Then we designed the ebook’s interface, appearance and navigation accordingly. For people who like to read a printed page, we offer a book (printed one at a time) from Blurb.

We really like how it turned out. Hope you do too. I’ll post a sample chapter and also the colophon. Check it out!

Cover design of ebook

Welcome

Rita — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:38:35 +0000

Welcome to designtalk!

Visit to find tips, techniques, chats with luminaries, reviews, and news of happenings in the world of sustainable design.

~Rita