[Kim Rogala] Anne Thomas, graphic designer, product designer and owner of TOMA OBJECTS, has always been interested in using objects as a design solution, objects with a dash of humor and a hint of cunning. As a graphic designer with 20+ years under her belt, she also has a fondness for designing with paper. And, as she explained to Felt & Wire, she’s always had a fondness for clocks.
Why clocks?
There’s something special about clocks. As a designer, time is very important. How much time do we have, how much time will this take to produce? A paper clock was one of the first objects I made for a client, and they have been a favorite of mine since.
Why paper clocks?
We’re designers, of course paper! Paper is very important to our work — the tactility, the movement, the colors. Even working with fabulous materials like wood and metal … I always come back to paper.
What inspired the cut out numerals?
I was playing with paper; cutting it, folding it, playing with openings, light coming through.
And it happened! A die-cut and folded “V” became an “X” with the shadow so I had a 10, and the straight bars became the numeral 1.
How do the numerals get popped open? Is it done by machine?
The clocks are delivered flat with the timing mechanism installed. They are die-cut but not folded. I find that people enjoy the process of “making” the clock; folding the paper, putting on the clips, and popping out the numerals.
What made you decide to use a synthetic paper for the TOMA clocks?
Because of the size of this clock [7 x 10 in.] I needed something study. We couldn’t use a heavy cover paper because we needed more flexibility for the curve, and strength for the cut-outs. I was struggling with it until my paper supplier suggested this new Mohawk Synthetic. My printer, Quadriscan, tested it and we loved it.
The inside colors are flawless. How did you print them?
We printed them on an HP Indigo. The paper performs great. It’s sturdy, but it can adjust to bends without cracking, and it prints those solids that are on the inside of the clock very well. Printing a large solid like that can be scary, but the colors are perfect. I love the way it peeks out from the top, and through the front cut-outs.
TOMA clocks can be ordered through tomaobjects.com. You can also find TOMA on Facebook.
Read more about Mohawk Synthetic here.
Creator, designer and artistic director Anne Thomas (@Thomasdesign) founded Thomas design+communication in 1990 as a studio combining graphic arts and consulting services in order to produce visual solutions for businesses. It was a short step from communication by object to communicating object, and Anne launched the TOMA (French for Thomas) OBJECTS collection in 2006.
Photos courtesy of TOMA OBJECTS.
