What is your favorite paper and why?
It really depends on the the intended use – but generally speaking we prefer using off-white, uncoated, if possible recycled, paper with high bulk and a nice and rough surface feel. Here’s just a few we use a lot and truly love:

• Circle Offset white (affordable, recycled, fantastic)
• Geese (great quality papers from a small manufacturer in Hamburg)
• Maren Thomsen Les Naturals (100% recycled, amazing surface)
• Munken Lynx (of course) or Print (also great results when printing digital)
• Arcoprint Milk- Fedrigoni

Alwan 338
Bilingual identity, publication and poster series for Alwan 338 – an art festival in Bahrain.

Could you give an example of a design you created where paper played a special or particularly functional role?
The art project Transient Spaces – The Tourist Syndrome, which we designed the visual identity for, dealt with issues of mobility, emigration and relocation. For the project’s final publication we used eight different kinds of paper which change randomly throughout the publication. By not adapting the change of papers to the content – in some cases full spread images were printed on uncoated paper on the left and glossy paper on the right side for instance – we created a physical impression of crossing borders and movement.

Transient Spaces
For the visual concept we used various typefaces and colours which were used differently on all printed materials for the different locations. The publication was printed on 8 different kinds of paper.

How important is the choice of paper in your designs? Do you spend a lot of time choosing the paper?
All the little bits and pieces together result in the visual concept and final design. In other words, the choice of paper is just as important everything else. So yes – we do spend a lot of time choosing the paper – just as we spend a lot of time on all other details.

Kommunale Galerien Berlin
Visual identity for the 30 30 communal galleries run by the city of Berlin.

Could you mention a designer whose paper choice appeals to you?
Fons Hickmann and Bjoern Wolf from M23: www.fonshickmann.com

Is there something missing in the current range of available paper?
Many uncoated papers are only available up to 300 or 350 gr/m2. Sometimes we’d wish to have a higher grammage.

Right-To-Left
Our ongoing exhibition project about graphic and type design from the Middle East and Iran. The first show took place in Berlin end of 2012. The publication is printed on Arcoprint Milk.

Right-To-Left
Our ongoing exhibition project about graphic and type design from the Middle East and Iran. The first show took place in Berlin end of 2012. The publication is printed on Arcoprint Milk.

What is your biggest frustration in the field of paper?
There should be more fully recycled papers.

Is it difficult or easy for designers in your country to find information on paper, paper samples and/or paper collections?
German designers are spoilt for choice when it comes to paper. Paper suppliers here are well equipped and never hesitate to stop by for a chat. However we do work a lot for projects/clients in the Middle East. In some Arab countries for instance it is almost impossible to get uncoated paper – not to speak of specific brands. So either we go for the expensive option shipping paper to the production facility, or we simply send a sample and ask the local printer to get similar paper. No risk no fun!

In search of Europe
Visual Identity and publication for the art project In Search of Europe. The book is printed on Circle Offset White / Cover: Incada Exel

In search of Europe
Visual Identity and publication for the art project In Search of Europe. The book is printed on Circle Offset White / Cover: Incada Exel

How do you see the future of paper?
Print will never die – so paper will live as well. More effort will be put in environment-friendly, sustainable production.

Wagner
Identity for an arts festival dealing with Wagner.

Interview by De Monsterkamer with Ben Wittner from EPS51
www.eps51.com