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Suissemas

Self-Initiated / Print

Restored view of Paul’s snowflake made from repeated red studio scissors. — The scissors snowflake / The same object. Another possibility.

The project_

One fixed format. A different studio object.

The brief_

A series of Christmas cards sent to clients, suppliers and friends. I set a fixed format: the text, square and snowflake stayed in position. The box colour, description and snowflake changed from one edition to the next.

The observation_

There was one strict rule. The snowflake had to be made from something I used in the studio. If it came from the studio, it should be made from the studio. The task was to find the object, then find what it could become.

The application_

Bulldog clips, scalpel blades, staplers, arch-lever files and tape dispensers became snowflakes. The individual object appeared on the reverse. The format stayed familiar while the material supplied a new idea each time.

A studio object used as the starting point for a Suissemas card. — The ordinary object / The starting point.

The original portfolio photograph of the scissors snowflake. — The original portfolio photograph.

Several Suissemas cards showing the fixed format and changing snowflakes. — A fixed system. Room for invention.

A presentation mock-up showing the scalpel snowflake card front and printed back. — Card mock-up / Prepared for this website from the supplied artwork.

Credits / Recognition

Self-initiated concept / Design — Paul Gray, Suisse.