Maker Quarterly

Mohawk Maker Quarterly #9: Inspiration

Words

Mohawk

June 26, 2016

After two years of publication, the ninth issue of the Mohawk Maker Quarterly has been refreshed and redesigned, serendipitously themed around the concept of inspiration.

Mohawk and San Francisco-based Hybrid Design present a new layout with this issue. Caleb Kozlowski, Hybrid’s Design Director, explains the catalyst for the redesign: “Over the last two years and eight issues we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what inspiration means. A restless creative wanderlust marks those of us who make, and hints that underneath the flash and excitement that often accompanies inspiration is something more fundamental: change.”

Close-up of typography inside that reads "What will you make today?"

Chris Harrold, Mohawk’s Vice President of Business Development and Creative Director adds, “Inspiration disrupts, it challenges. It can come from the smallest source and inform massive change. It motivates people to take bold action to pursue their dreams. Inspiration opens our eyes, changes our thinking, upends our lives in the best ways. We’re thrilled with the direction of change Hybrid is steering for the Maker Quarterly, and we’re eagerly anticipating an enthusiastic response from readers.”

Issue nine features a selection of six distinctive colored and textured papers drawn from the following Mohawk paper grades: Carnival + Via (Expressive Collection), Loop (Sustainable Collection), as well a custom designed letterpress insert on the new ultra-thick and luxurious Mohawk Superfine Eggshell 150 Cover (Beautiful Collection).

Caleb Kozlowski explains the design inspiration from a paper standpoint, “We had been thinking about the design change in terms of paper. When we began the Maker Quarterly series two years ago, we began designing each issue within one specific paper grade. This is the Superfine issue, this is the Loop issue; now it’s evolved, and it’s not just about one grade per issue, it’s about how the papers can work together to make something special.”

Cover of the Quarterly with half-sheet wrap leafed open

Two-page spread from Quarterly 9 with typography and photography

The cover of this issue has noticeable changes at first glance.

It includes not one, but three deconstructed covers.

The cover of this issue has noticeable changes at first glance. This issue includes not one, but three deconstructed covers. Cover one is a striking 8.75 x 8.75” wrap featuring Mohawk Carnival Vellum, Yellow 70 text (Expressive Collection), which describes the essence of issue nine and the topic of inspiration. The wrap opens to a table of contents and the reveal of a second cover.

Cover two features a stunning design by Sister Corita Kent beautifully showcased on Mohawk Loop Antique Vellum, Milkweed, 80 text (Sustainable Collection).

Cover three leads the reader to the issue’s feature story: ‘I Quit.’ The 9.75 x 13.25” cover features black and white photography of an enormous crashing wave printed on Mohawk Loop Laid, Pure White 70 text. Inverted text design communicates the editorial perspective: those who’ve taken the plunge and left a comfortable existence for the thrill of the unknown.

“We are excited about the material play with color and texture on the multiple covers. You see the vibrant Carnival Vellum Yellow wrap, and also a deep blue and a peek of neon pink and orange on Loop Antique Vellum. It demonstrates how materials can make a big impact both visually and texturally.”

Dora Drimalas

Principal of Hybrid Design

Close-up of an inner page with large decorative typography

Redrawing the Future of a Lost Typeface

Inspiration from an unlikely source serves as the catalyst for a Swiss-born type designer to revamp a forgotten Cold War-era 1940s typeface.

Words

Jessie Kuhn

With each issue, the Hybrid design team pushes the boundaries of creative expression. Issue nine is certainly no exception. Featuring a new masthead and rule design element which signifies connection and continuity, the 9.75 x 13” publication inspires from cover(s) to cover.

Content wise, issue nine is different too. “There are elements that are expected and comfortable and others that are odd or unusual, but we’re talking about the subject of inspiration, and inspiration comes from really unusual places sometimes,” said Kozlowski.

Issue nine of the Maker Quarterly includes the following featured articles:

View from above of two-page spread desigend around the concept of stamp collecting

Collecting Inspiration

Meet the modern day anthropologists who are inspired by collecting and share in their discoveries.

Words

Jessie Kuhn

I Quit

We’ve all fantasized about it: quitting your day job to pursue your dreams on your terms – following your inspiration wherever it leads. A tale of seven creatives who quit and lived to tell the tale may inspire you to set out and forge your own trail.

Words

Grace Dobush

Two-page spread with one full-page photo and one page of type and illustrations

The Power Wielded by Color

Color penetrates the psyche from Artic white-out conditions to buildings in the slums transformed to a rainbow of possibilities.

Words

Jessie Kuhn

Close-up of a letterpress print included in the Quarterly

A Day in the Life

Following the work and life of graffiti artist Stephen Powers, also known as ESPO. The issue also contains a limited-edition print commissioned for Mohawk by Powers. The print supports the message of chasing inspiration, and is beautifully letterpressed.

Words

Jessie Kuhn

Two page spread laid open and viewed from above

A variety of talented makers are featured in issue nine, including:

Taxi Fabric
Hannah Waldron
ODESD2
Alexandra Kehayoglou
Fabrice Le Nezet
Charles Freger
FiveAM

The Mohawk Maker Quarterly Issue No. 09 was skillfully printed by Sandy Alexander, Inc., Clifton, NJ.

Production Notes

Print Process

Letterpress

A technique of relief printing using a printing press. A surface with raised letters is inked and pressed to the surface of the printing substrate to reproduce an image in reverse.

Offset Printing

A commonly used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the lithographic process, which is based on the repulsion of oil and water, the offset technique employs a flat (planographic) image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers, while the non-printing area attracts a water-based film (called "fountain solution"), keeping the non-printing areas ink-free.

Materials + Techniques

Match Colors

A specified premixed ink color which has been mixed according to a formula. Match colors are more accurate than process colors which use screens and can vary from one print run to the next. Also referred to as a spot color or Pantone® Matching System (PMS).