Matt Anderson
Hello, friends! It’s been awhile since you last heard from me. (I’ve been a little busy with my new role as art director, teaching design classes at a local college and coaching my son’s football team).
So when Kelly suggested it was time for me to blog again, I told her it had to be something I was passionate about.
Enter Go-to Sketches.
First, let me just say that Go-to Sketches is a must have for any paper crafter. It’s full of useful tips, creative sketches, big color images and personal quotes from all our Paper Crafts Go-to Gals. Plus, it was a lot of fun to create, which I had a little something to do with.
My white props played a subtle role in this graphic cover.
My concept was to go clean, simple and basic with everything shot on white. I wanted the projects and their colors to “pop” off the page. The projects, sketches and our Go-to Gals themselves were the highlight of this issue, and I wanted them to shine respectively.
The idea to shoot everything on white was simple as far as thought processes goes, and it worked really well. So well in fact that I’ve started integrating this white on white look into the columns and departments of our regular Paper Crafts issues. The fun part in creating this special issue and our very first edition of Go-to Sketches, was the preparation – even though it was a lot more extra work. I took older props and paper crafting tools from our resource room and spray painted them white, along with my arms, fingers, shoes and pants.
Can you see the fine dusting of white paint on my shoes?
When I was done painting, this was our arsenal of props for this issue.
This issue is priceless when it comes to resource and shelf value. Trust me ladies…you’re going to want to run out and get this one! If you already have it, I’d love to hear what you think of the overall design. My humble ego could use some positive reinforcement. Editor’s Note: That cheeky Kelly added that last line just to make fun of me. It’s not easy pleasing this all-female team!
Your Paper Crafts Art Director,
Matt Anderson
Love that cover! The white paper crafting tools idea is more than amazing!
)
My tip for spray painting is place the project inside a paper box to protect from over spray. It works great and my shoes are safe!
looks like your role there is pretty CRUCIAL, Matt. we crafters have a tendency to be messy, often photographing things right at our workspace. without your crisp, clean props and background, the cards these talented ladies share with us would just be LOST, and wouldn’t that be sad?
I think the white tools are fantastic!! Really lets the projects shine and take center stage!
I didn’t realize how involved the props are in the issues – cool!
I ran out yesterday and purchased a copy of the new Go to Sketches and haven’t been able to put it down since. It will be a great resource that I am sure to use often. Great job with the layouts and I love how all the projects pop off of each page!
Wow! I never even noticed the white tools on the cover.
I have the magazine and I think it is FABULOUS!
Matt,
You did an amazing job! I love the white on white.
Oh, this blog is so ME! When someone asks me what’s my favorite color, the answer is WHITE!
It’s so crisp, clean, and orderly to me! It’s a representation of what can become of it.
I’ll have to get out to my local store to check it out!
I’m traveling to the US on April 23rd and this magazine is on my shoppinglist. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Your white props look good.
Eveline.
I think you’re a genius! It’s my all-time favorite issue!
I L*O*V*E* the all white props!!!
It really takes the focus off the background and where it should be…on the project!!!
Awesome!!!
I just got this issue at Barnes and Noble last night…and I noticed that Teri was using a white(?) punch…this explains it! I went through the entire issue last night and I must say it was really good! You all have outdone yourselves with this one!
Everyone should be very proud of this issue. I ran out to get it the day someone first posted that it was out. I loved the look of this issue, but will have to browse through it again and play “I Spy” for all those white props. I love this concept of a “Card Sketch” issue. Well done!
Matt, you did a wonderful job with that all white!! I love how crisp and clean it is and does make all of the color in the projects just pop!
Great job Matt! I LOVE the white tools… defiantly worth the sacrifice of your shoes:)
How cool! I love the white props! They are the perfect accent to the cover!
I love this beautiful cover! Your white tools are just awesome~YOU do a great job pleasing the “all women staff” and so many of us women too
I LOVED the look of the white tools! I was just wondering where you found them!
Sneaky, sneaky! — but GREAT job!!!
I wondered where all the cool white props came from! I LOVED the creative use of white (even if it is only April
! I’ve seen clear being in photo shoots…but the white was so great! I couldn’t wait to purchase this magazine and I’m glad I did. I feel like I’m sitting down with a group of old friends.
hoooray matt!! you hit this one out of the park.
I cannot tell you how excited I was to see the cards (including mine!) photographed against an all white background… LOVE the look!!! The cards stand out so much better and are really eye catching with no distraction.
As a fan of clean & simple, this issue gets an A+++!!
Thank you for making my cards shine
I just picked this issue up yesterday and the first thing I noticed was the white supplies in the photos. I think it looks very cool.
Thanks
Ang
Very inovative idea, the white b’ground really makes the cards take centre-stage…& I love working with sketches, it makes creating so much fun! Can’t wait to see the mag IRL
Matt I LOVE the white!! Everything looked so clean and neat and the colors do just pop out at you!! I love how the Go-To Gals are in bright colors and just pop!! Great design and a wonderful special issue!!
very cool, the cover looks amazing! thanks for the peek into how you did that! i love this issue…received it recently and i totally agree..it’s awesome!!
danielle
I gotta go get this mag NOW! LOL Can’t wait to see it in person.
Matt, the white on white just plain rocks!! The backdrops are still interesting, but they really let the cards be the stars! I love the look of the whole issue!
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Your ideas are genius! Love the whole design.
The white props look amazing! Well done, Matt.
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Funny, when I was looking through the book this weekend, which btw is awesome, I was wondering about all the “white” tools! Great job!
Love the idea and plan on painting some of my stuff now!! So sorry about your shoes, though. I will make sure I do it differently or atleast barefoot!! LOL
i am going to buy this magazine as soon as i can. it will get me out of my rut. i like everything about it and i have enjoyed reading what you all think about things.
Matt, that white-on-white looks amazing! Love the way the girls seem to pop out in front … in a clean, dramatic fashion!
Glad to see you had on a mask for that spray-painting task! Wow!
Love the peek behind the photos!
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