The Card Designer Highlight is a collection that includes impartial makers whose greeting playing cards you will discover in Paper Supply shops. Meet and be impressed by a brand new designer each month on our weblog!
Nicole Marie, after changing into obsessive about perfecting her craft as an artist reasonably than an actor, utilized her time and abilities to illustration and card design with the aim of serving to join folks with each other and creating particular moments.
How did you start your card-making profession?
Nicole Marie Paperie began again in 2010. On the time I used to be a working actor on the lookout for inventive methods to earn cash in between jobs. I had all the time cherished to attract and with a level in Promoting and Design from FIT, determined to strive freelance illustration. I shortly grew to become obsessed and devoted hours to perfecting my craft as an artist (than I did as an actor.)
I utilized every thing I Iearned in regards to the enterprise of performing to illustration and by no means appeared again. I traded my agent in for an artwork rep, listened to infinite hours of enterprise podcasts whereas drawing, and received a french bulldog named Rocco. Working with Rocco was one of the best as a result of he compelled me to take breaks and go on walks. It was on these walks the place I might go to the stationery retailers in my neighborhood and fall in love with designing greeting playing cards.
The place do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from conversations with pals, foolish memes on the web or just going via a set of inventory photographs that I’ve acquired via the years. I additionally maintain a sketch journal with concepts which have but to come back to fruition.
What does your day seem like as a card designer?
As a enterprise proprietor (and mum or dad) my day is organized into segments. After I drop my son off in school, it’s off to the races! The morning is devoted to orders – assembling and packing every thing in time earlier than the mail truck arrives. After lunch, I settle in to create new work or end up on a undertaking. 4 o’clock kicks off “Household Time” (stroll Rocco, choose up son, dinner and so on.) And no matter power I’ve left goes to emails, social media, and most vital “me” time.
What’s your most well-liked medium?
Nowadays my most well-liked medium is digital however I’m all the time impressed to strive new issues.
What does your inventive course of seem like?
I like to begin every thing by hand, sketching in black and white pencil. From there, I’ll take my concept and produce it into Illustrator and Photoshop the place I can fine-tune the main points. Typically I like to return to an outdated design and provides it a make-over by updating the colour palette and hand lettering. To start with, I used to chop and rating all of my playing cards by dwelling. As my enterprise grew, the method grew to become too time-consuming. Nowadays I work with an area print specialist so I can focus extra on designing and fewer on manufacturing!
What are you most happy with as a creator and card maker?
I’m proud that I get to be a greeting card maker in any respect! Once I first began I didn’t perceive the impression a easy greeting card might have till I began interacting with my prospects through the Pandemic. I noticed the only intention of a card is to assist folks join with one and different. Even in our digital age, you continue to want a bodily card. There’s a card for each and any second in an individual’s life…and I like that I get play an element in creating that particular second.