Sometimes it's fun and cathartic to simply make a whole bunch of simple things and then arrange them. That is just what I did inspired by a page in Playing with Color: 50 Graphic Experiments for Exploring Color Design Principles.
This page in Playing with Color features a collage of colored letters, and I thought it would be fun to make a collage of little postage stamps embellished with washi tape.
The first part of this fun exercise was simply to punch out a whole bunch of solid colored and printed paper with a postage shaped paper punch.
Then I cut small rectangles of washi tape and placed it on the postage stamp cut outs. This was part of the fun of coordinating the background colored paper with the color and print of the washi tape. It was kind of a "mix and match" game.
The second part of the color play, was arranging all the little paper postage stamps in my altered book.
This was fun and easy too. I stuck them down with little glue dots so I could possibly pull them up and use them on envelopes. It was a nice little relaxing collage and a fun way to store my embellishments.
More about the Quarry and Rockport books:
If you have never heard of washi tape, get ready to enter a bright new world of paper crafts! Originating in Japan, washi paper is stronger than wood-pulp paper making it perfect for use in projects like origami and scrapbooking. The tape is low tack and slightly transparent, in a mix of adorable colors and patterns, and a brilliant way to make all of your crafts even better. Perfect to use for parties. See how to create invitations, gift wrap, and goodie bags. Holidays have never been more colorful with ideas for ornaments, window adornments, and even garland. Decorations for your home and office are easy and inexpensive when you use washi tape. Wall décor, borders and lampshades can become unique works of art and give your home a personal touch. You can even use washi tape in fashion. Dress up your glasses, shoes and jewelry using these simple ideas and designs. And because it's safe to use on delicate items, washi tape is great for personalized gifts like vases and photo albums. Washi Tape by Courtney Cerruti offers 101 amazing ideas that will make this new craft tape your new favorite thing. It's safe to use almost anywhere and great fun for children!
Playing with Color is a highly accessible, fun approach to learning color application and principles. This hands-on book begins with an introduction to the philosophy of learning through the process of play. It then leads to a series of experimental design projects with an emphasis on color, providing the reader with a “toolkit” of ideas and skills. The awareness and sensitivity to form, color, material and craft gained through these visual experiments will increase the designer’s confidence in their personal and professional design work. This book can be used in the classroom or independently, and readers can go directly to exercises that appeal to them.
Richard Mehl teaches two-dimensional design, color theory and typography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is a graphic designer by trade, working on projects for corporate and non-profit clients. Mehl received his MFA from Yale School of Art where he studied with Paul Rand, Bradbury Thompson, Matthew Carter and Edward Tufte. Visit him online at http://www.rmehl.com.
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