Remember paper? We often forget what life was like before things went digital. So what happens to paper in the digital age?
I was a designer long before the “digital age” and there are some things I still enjoy about paper. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the Internet… It’s filled with endless opportunities, clever interaction, and the ability to track users. But after years of working online, my heart still belongs to paper in the digital age.
The visual mix of paper combined with its tactile feeling stimulates the senses. The smell of the fresh ink and its crisp feel are enough to get any print designer excited. For me, a printed piece of paper will always have a purpose. I regularly use paper for brainstorming design concepts and making notes. Some feel memories often last longer if they are recorded on paper – typing doesn’t offer the same value. The best feature paper offers is that it can be kept at your fingertips and you can go back to it time and time again. There’s nothing quite like meeting with a client and paging through designs.
Even though 2014 is quickly approaching, there is a still a time and a place for paper in the digital age. Read more about the the timelessness of paper on the blog Paper Because.
Shelly Pinomaki is an Alliance Partner of Parallel Interactive. As owner of Pinomaki Design, Shelly has over 25+ years experience in graphic design, end user, and business-to-business marketing communications. She manages the day-to-day responsibilities of design projects to ensure each is completed on-time and within budget.
