SHAPING MATERIAL

Published:
February 2025

A material shapes an individual as much as the individual shapes it. Working with a material is a dialogue—a negotiation between its inherent attributes and one’s personal tendencies. Some may find harmony, adapting to its nature, while others may struggle and surrender. There are qualities within a material that cannot be altered; they define its essence. Its resistance, rigidity, or fragility becomes a test of patience and skill. Over time, this persistent engagement fosters a deep understanding, creating both reliance and attachment. In surrendering to the material’s nature, one is, in turn, shaped by it.

For us, paper is the material we surrender to—not by choice, but by our discipline as graphic designers. In our early years, it presented itself as a canvas for a visually driven practice, a medium to contain and express ideas. We became guided by its attributes—its texture, absorbency, weight, and vibrancy—each affecting how our visuals take form. Paper presents to us as a surface that accepts everything we throw at it. The best paper is the one that presents your ideas accurately.

However, over time, our relationship with paper evolved. As we delved deeper, we began to see it not just as a carrier of visuals but as an object in its own right—one shaped by project requirements and our expectations of paper that have shifted over time. Despite paper not always being the obvious choice, we’ve continually turned to it as a material to solve various problems. This reliance stems from the accumulated knowledge and experience we’ve gained through years of working with paper, exploring various manufacturing techniques and different types of paper. We’ve learned how processes like embossing, folding, and layering could transform it beyond a mere surface, revealing its sculptural qualities and fostering a deep trust in its potential and endless possibilities.

BIOTOPE by TAKEO Paper Co. is one such paper we’ve encountered. For years, we’ve been sold paper by various merchants for its vibrancy, wide range of colours, and textures—primarily for printing processes. Yet, when we were first introduced to the range of Fine Paper by TAKEO, we were sold on functionality — its sculptural quality. Paper that’s meant to fold without worrying about cracking. Paper that’s strong enough to withstand rough handling. Paper that becomes translucent when heat treatment is applied — papers that are made to form.

Material selection is a fundamental aspect of design, often shaping not only functionality but also inspiring the very essence of an idea. Sometimes, it is the material itself—its texture, weight, flexibility, or resilience—that sparks the genesis of a product. The first series of CARTD was born out of the discovery of BIOTOPE—a paper with the strength of Kraft paper yet delicate in nature. The contrast between delicacy and strength was expressed through twisting. How small can we make the point at which two planes meet while still withstanding the twisting force? The outcome was rather surprising.

One might ask: Why make this effort? More importantly, what’s the point? The answer is simple—if someone has created this material, it is design’s role to explore what can be done with it, shaping its meaning just as the material itself shapes its users.