cut&make

November 4, 2011 | 2 Comments

“cut&make is a small stationery brand based in Berlin that creates conceptual paper products that are often cut and rarely printed.

Everyday stationery items have been re-interpreted in a playful way in Kate Bowden’s designs for cut&make. By playing with scale or simplifying and exaggerating an aspect of the form, the functional flat objects begin to take on sculptural qualities.

cut&make began with the postcutcard – conceived as an ironic statement in regards to the classic postcard. There is nothing printed on the card, on either side. Instead, the characteristic lines for the address, the division between the main writing area and the address field and the dotted line marking for the stamp are cut out. It is probably the most minimalist postcard ever. Instead of a motif, it offers the sender a blank canvas, inviting them to decorate as they wish.

Similarly for the AirMailSet, the envelope and inner cards are die-cut out to reveal the airmail’s defining pattern, producing a unique approach to an iconic design.

For the CityStamp postcard, perforations of a stamp have been enlarged and the stamp design reduced to a block of colour, allowing the sender to sketch a version of a London bus or the Arc de Triomphe.

cut&make uses FSC certified paper and constantly tries to improve its processes in order to reach the goal of sustainable products. Kate Bowden is based in Berlin and uses local companies to ensure the optimisation of the processes to date.”