Matt Anderson
Hello paper crafters! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Matt Anderson. I am a husband, father of three great kids (two boys, one baby girl) and the senior graphic designer for Paper Crafts magazine.
Working for a publication such as Paper Crafts is a lot of fun. I do the internal design of the magazine, create ads, design covers for some of our special issues and occasionally do photo shoots of our material. Oh, and I also design the monthly banner on Cath’s Moxie Fab World blog. May’s banner is pretty cool, “woodn’t” you agree?
Being the only guy on an all-female team is easier than you think. Yes, I’m your average, every day, run-of-the-mill kind of guy. I’m a huge football fan (usually watched in holey sweats), I love super cool action movies (with an overabundance of explosions and special effects), video games, playing in the dirt, bugs and comic books (yeah, my boys love me).
I now know what it feels like for some of you women working in all-male environments. It’s strange, alien and like a whole different world at times. Even though it’s a challenge, it’s also very entertaining. I think it’s one of the most entertaining jobs I’ve ever had. I’ve had to chuckle at some of the conversations that happen in my area of the office. Some of the topics have included:
- What shirt someone has bought on sale at the “Rack” (whatever that means) that matches the shoes they bought at Macy’s.
- Details on what Matthew McConaughey’s abs look like in his new movie.
- What kind of new moisture rich lotion works best with the transitioning conditions between winter and spring.
Seriously though, after the age of 10, I was pretty much raised by a single mom. And she’s one of the strongest women I have ever met. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
I guess you could say my life changed a lot in September of 2008. That’s when I started working with seven crazy and wonderful women. And to work with these talented ladies is a real pleasure.
In the words of Truman Burbank,
“Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”
P.S. Kelly’s always giving away free stuff, so now I want a turn! I’d love to hear your feedback on these six openers I designed for the magazine.
Here's the Fluttering Butterflies and Here Comes the Bride openers from our March/April 2009 issue.
Here's the Motherhood Through the Ages and Father Knows Best openers from our May/June 2009 issue.
And here's an exclusive sneak peek of The Value of Vintage and 5 Cards, 5 Occasions, 5 Dollars openers from our upcoming July/August 2009 issue!
Let me know which opener you like the best! One random winner will receive a collection of magazines that these openers appear in – March/April, May/June and our upcoming July/August. All comments must be received by midnight on Friday, May 8! The winner will be announced on Monday’s blog.
Definitely a fan of the “Here Comes the Bride” opener. But I love how you can do so many different styles well!
I’m a butterfly nut, so that one is my fave!
I adore the butterflies and also really dig the retro mom one too! So glad to finally meet the brains behind all of these. I had been wondering ; )
My favorite is definitely the Butterflies. The design is so pretty and the colours are perfect for spring!!
I love the butterfly and bride openings, but I’m intrigued by the 5/5/5 one, also, can’t wait to see the article!
I like the bride cover the best, my four year old son likes the 5 with the fish on it the best. He is an animal lover after all. Great work overall. I know what you mean about lone men in an all female office, we actually have two men in our 12 person office, and they are always bemused by what we talk about. Hah!
Great series of Mom pictures but I’m also with the butterfly and bride layouts as favorite.
My favorite is the bride one, I love the shades of blue accented with the brown-one of my favorite color combos!!
I LOVE the butterflies! Not only are the images pretty, I love the color scheme, very Spring-y!
I know I am not eligible to be entered in the contest.
I just wanted to say that I am so proud of you and have know you were talented since the age of two when you drew your first face, and printed your name at age 3 better then I could. Keep up the great work and I love all the covers. Also thank you for the Mother’s Day wish. I love you too! Mom
My favorite(s) are the Butterflies & the bride.
I like the Father Know’s Best one just because I really like that retro look and the bright colors.
I love the butterflies too!! Did many projects with them, but still can’t get enough, not yet.
I like the Vintage & 5 cards the most but I like them all..pretty tough to decide which one is best..but sense I had to chose then there you have it..
i love here comes the bride.
Aside from them all being fabulous, I really like the May/June mom through the ages layout. I’m becoming a huge fan of the silhouette, and loved the way you used that to show the various stages of mother and daughter. So sweet. Keep up the fantastic work!
They are all so STRIKING! But I think my favourite is the Here Comes the Bride. Love the chocolate brow and blues together!
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Here Comes the Bride is my fav.
i love the way you incorporate so much and end up with a clean simple layout.
very clever including ‘something blue’.
they are all attractive and i look forward to seeing those magazines.
very good topics.
do you get away with those ‘Rack’ jokes at work?!
anyway, i imagine there must be some drawback working with those lovely, talented, creative women!
….and just what does that photographer have you looking at?
i love the pics published of the PC team.
Hey Matt – great designs all, I think my favorite might be Father Knows Best – btw you have to catch the new Wolverine movie, talk about action and special effects WOW! And I hear that new Star Trek film is even better. Looking forward to more posts from you, Ciao, Marta
I like the March/April ones the best. What’s funny, that’s the style of my stamping.
I love love love the “Value of Vintage” totally amazing!!! Ok, so now I just wanna stay home and sb the day away!!! Sooooo much inspiration, so early in the morning….lol! Wow, thats all I have to say!!!
I like the Value of Vintage and 5 Cards, 5 Occasions, 5 Dollars openers set because I am always trying to do things that look great but don’t cost an arm and a leg. Thanks for the chance to win.
Carol
Fluttering butterflies surely caught my attention. I recently had some photos in a butterfly garden.
Can’t pick – they are all terrific!!!
I love the wedding one! Some of my favorite colors!
I hate to be like everyone else, but I have to say the Butterflies cover is the one that stands out the most to me. There is something very simple & sweet about it… I like the light splash of color against the nearly white background of the butterflies.
And, I have to comment that you must be one very enviable man… you are learning all “our” best kept secrets by being around all those talented women every day.
Keep up the great work.
I LOVE the Butterflies!!!! And, I LOVE that there’s a man working out there in a “woman’s atmosphere”. I would absolutely love nothing more than to have my husband be interested in being crafty & making things with me. Even giving me advise and suggestions would be welcome! You’re wife’s a lucky duck!
I think I like the “5″ one the most! I don’t know why…The bride colors are gorgeous and the butterfly colors are too!
Hi Matt,
Your do wonderful work. I hope you come back again.
I love all the work. The butterflies and Bride are great. Everything in balance.
My favorite is The Value of Vintage.
debbie peysen
Well Flutter my Butterflies, I think the butterfly one is my favorite!
I LOVE the colors in the fluttering butterflies page! What a talented guy you are!
BWAHAHA….Those overheard comments are so funny when taken in YOUR context! I can only imagine some of the other things you’ve overheard! You are a brave, brave man to venture into the world of all-femaledom!
My fave opener is the 5 Dollars page. I’m a bargain hunter, so that one caught my eye first!
Butterflies are so appealing to me right now. I love that one. I am, though, fascinated by the $5 crafts, occasions, dollars. I want to READ that one! Love every one of Moxie Fab’s headers. Now I will think of you every time I see a new one!
Such wonderful talent!! Men who work in predominantly female fields are such treasures! I have had the privilege to work with several in the counseling and education fields. Love your work and in particular I prefer the March April openers. The colors appeal to me more than the other openers, but all are quite amazing!
Fun post! I like the Father knows best page, but then, I love retro.
WOW, these are all SUPAH fabulous! I feel that you have touched on about style that anyone would have. From vintage to retro, they are severely AWESOME!!
IF I do really have to CHOOSE ONE to be entered to win the fabulous MAG collection, I have to say that I think the EMMY goes to: MOTHERHOOD.
I think it is attractive-eye-candy and speaks to any woman from pregnant to a grandma; AND even if a gal actually hasn’t bore children or even adopted, they probably feel like a mother to students, nephews/nieces, neighbors’ kids or their friends’ children.
Beautiful work on ALL of them, I am impressed!! Thanks for the chance to win and Blessings on your weekend! Nicole Anderson
A man sees things in a different eye as a woman, so good for you taking on a world of women…..geat work
Love the butterflies…what talent he has! Love seeing guys that papercraft!
I must say they are all totally awesome – hard to pick one….but I will have to go with the Fluttering Butterflies one. Great work Matt!
Incredible work. Inspiring,and nice to know there is a man out there who appreciates paper crafts!
R
Hello everyone!
Thank you all so much for the awesome comments. I really appreciate it so much, and it’s nice to hear what everyone thinks. To answer a few of your questions: 1) I am a member of the Raider Nation! I’ve like the Oakland Raiders
since I was a kid. (I just wish they’d get rid of Al Davis so they could actually start winning some games). I also am a HUGE Notre Dame (Fighting Irish) fan. Yeah… I pretty much bleed blue and gold. GO IRISH!!
2) I’m totally excited to see the Wolverine movie and for Star Trek (even though I am a Star Wars fanatic)! Also on my movie list is GI Joe, Transformers II, Terminator : Salvation, and Harry Potter! Yeah… I’m a HUGE geek!!!
If you wanna see any of my layout in the future go pick up a Mag. They’re all over in it. You can’t tell I have any fun designing them or anything, huh?
Anyways… Hope you all have a great weekend and keep those comments coming!
Thanks again,
Matt
I know what it’s like to be the lone design man to grace the pages of PaperCrafts (Check out my card in the current special issue, 225 Cards & Gifts). It is nice to know that I there is another dude that I can do some male bonding with. Up for a crafternoon? We can send our wives off to the “Rack” with the kids.
I am a major fan of the 5 Cards, 5 Occasions, 5 Dollars opener! Anytime you can incorporate a real item such as a receipt into a spread and make the content flow seamlessly into is awesome!
I really enjoyed the Motherhood through the Years. It has amazing colors, and with the outline of the figures. Matt you are really good at graphic design. I have been looking into doing the graphic design. Thanks for the examples from a great designer.
the fluttering butterflies one. It is just so happy and I like the use of negative space in the design as well.
Good for you being a creative man working in a very female environment. It is so great to hear that you actually enjoy it instead of considering it a burden.
I love the fluttering butterflies, fun colors, great layout!
They are all fabulous, but the butterflies one is my fave! I just *love* butterflies!
My favorite is definitely the “Fluttering Butterflies”!
i love the bride opener.
if you like the Truman movie, have you been to Seaside, FL where it was filmed? we stay about 2miles from there every time we go to FL, and we always go in Modica Market, (where Truman worked), they have the best desserts, and the best fresh squeezed lemonade!
I think all six are wonderful. My favorite two is the Bride and the one that has the butterfly they are both beautiful.
Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself. It’s nice to meet you.
Mary