Behind the Scenes: The Making of Color Inspiration for Card Makers

Cath Edvalson

Without a doubt, some of the most fun I’ve ever had as an editor for Paper Crafts magazine was the process that went into creating our fresh and fun special issue, Color Inspiration for Card Makers.

From the hatching of the idea to the evolution of the concept to the logistics of making it all come to life, I think all of us editors would agree that, though challenging, it was some of the most fun we’ve ever had working on a project.

Click on the cover image to order your copy today!

Even as you are flipping through your copy, you might be asking yourself, “How did they decide on the six color categories in the issue?” or “How did they come up with all those fresh and trendy color combinations?” or “How did they make it so all the colors matched so well on each two-page spread?”

Well, my inquiring friends, let me give you a glimpse at the goings-on in the Paper Crafts offices sometime ‘round about June of last year.

First, the color groupings. We brainstormed the many different moods, shades, hues—even textures—that our readers like to design with and we came up with six general categories: brights, pastels, jewel tones, metallics, monochromatics and neutrals.

Then, my favorite part, the color combinations themselves. Everyone on the team was asked to come up with color palettes from print media and the Internet from which to draw our inspiration in each of the six categories.

Since we were all so jazzed about our task, there were a lot of images to ponder:

Next, we decided which color combinations (inspired by the images) we liked the best:

Brandy was still with us then. Hi Brandy!

…and we organized them into like-colored groups:

From there we chose the hues we thought would be the most inspiring to our readers and organized them into groups so we could see them all at one time (this helps to avoid duplication and to ensure that we have a wide variety in each section):

Jewel Tones

Pastels

Metallics

Now, for the really challenging part. We wanted the colors to match from project-to-project as closely as possible (we were going for the Wow Factor, here.) How to communicate these colors to our designers knowing that every computer screen is calibrated differently? Way-elll, our former managing editor, Brandy Jesperson, took the inspiration photos back to her desk, got out her handy dandy Bazzill Basics Swatch Book, and went to town.  

Then she passed the baton to Susan R. Opel, who created a PDF that showed all the color combinations with their Bazzill Basics color names listed. Then, we contacted Bazzill, told them all the different colors we were going to be using in the book, and they sent us enough of the papers to allow us to send samples of each color to our 50 or so talented designers so they could match their cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon, inks, etc., exactly.

Stacks and stacks of these yummies were delivered directly to our offices.

Then came the task of labeling, cutting and mailing all of the samples in time for our designers to work with them:

You wouldn’t believe all the time and work that went into this phase alone.

Here’s Holly, stepping away from her designing tasks to help stuff the boxes.

Once the designers had the color combinations and the swatches, they started working their magic and then they submitted their ideas. Here we are at the submissions judging. We always held up the color combination so we could compare the colors to the projects to make sure they would all coordinate well on the two-page spreads. Ever mindful of balancing styles, products and techniques, this was a very challenging task.

Susan, myself and Kelly looking at the submissions for one of the color combinations. 2:35? We’re an hour-and-a-half in with two-and-a-half to go.

From there, we made our selections and from the editorial side of things, the process proceeded as per usual.

But our art director, Matt Anderson, was about to work his own brand of magic on the issue. He shot everything on white with minimal props and came up with those very simple color swatches on the upper left-hand corner of each spread. Which, IMHO, hit the gorgeous nail right on its pretty little head. 

This fun combo can be found on p. 16.

And there you have it. A behind-the-scenes look at the process we went through to bring you the delicious issue we’ve been celebrating all week!

Leave me a comment about which stage of the process you find the most intriguing and why by midnight (MST) on Friday, Jan. 14 and I’ll pick two winners to receive Bazzill’s card making kit (featuring supplies to make 16 cards using the same color combos found in Color Inspiration!) AND a copy of Color Inspiration for Card Makers!

Two winners will each take home this fun card making kit from Bazzill!

Hooray for this inspiring issue,
Cath

P.S. It’s day four of inspiring color challenges! Head on over to Moxie Fab World for all the details!

P.P.S. It’s time to announce the two winners from Kerri’s Color Rules With Beth Opel post!

1. Ellie (Jan. 11, 9:38 a.m.)
2. Gretchen (Jan. 11, 9:51 p.m.)

Congrats, winners! You’ve each won a Bazzill card making kit, plus a copy of Color Inspiration for Card Makers! Kelly will be contacting you shortly to get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!