News / 14 Jan 2025
Graphic Design students celebrate paper in project with G.F Smith
BA (Hons) Graphic Design
Second year BA (Hons) Graphic Design students have been working with iconic British paper company G.F Smith on the brief: Celebrating the Tangibility of Paper in a Digital Age.
G.F Smith is the UK’s largest specialist paper company, and the dedicated supplier of quality papers to the creative industries. Second year students were briefed by G.F Smith paper consultant, Josh Williams, to create a campaign integrating print and digital outcomes, highlighting the value of paper in a digital world.
The students were given two weeks to work on their ideas, culminating in a presentation to peers and representatives from G.F Smith, to receive valuable feedback from industry professionals.
Two stand-out campaigns were chosen, 'Can’t Turn Off Touch', created by Leith Brown-Kufuor, Florence Hall, Caspar Berry and Niamh Doherty, and 'Playper' by Jules Lea, Aryan Syam Manohar, Katie Hutton and Anson Lee.
'Can’t Turn Off Touch' emphasises the importance of the sensory experience of paper, celebrating its tactile nature, by encouraging playful, hands-on interaction. The project highlights the need to think sustainably when using a physical product, utilising paper from G.F Smith’s Extract range which is made from recycled coffee cups. The sample kit is also designed to transform into a lasting interactive installation, with designers being encouraged to keep it as a creative tool.
'Playper' aims to evoke childhood nostalgia, promoting play with paper. Their sample kit includes four cromatico envelopes with square stickers to seal them, each containing one item: a colourplan emerald ninja star, vermillion chatterbox, citrine paper plane, or a turquoise boat, and one of our four cards which make up the manifesto. The clients is invited to play with each of the items, connecting a feeling of nostalgia to the colourful papers.
"Presenting this live brief to Leeds Art University was an absolute pleasure. The students delivered professionally and with great charm. Shout-outs especially to the two winning projects; “Playper" and “Can't Turn off Touch". For the creative industry to become more inclusive, we must champion the next generation, so a big thank you to Dom and Mike for inviting us to this opportunity."
Josh Williams, Paper Consultant at G.F Smith