ON THE CARDS
In the first of a regular feature GT takes a closer look at the various
elements making up a classic card design.
Rob Ryan has been described as the ‘maestro of paper couture’
for the way he marries quirky, romantic poetry to naïve paper-cut
designs of almost lace-like delicacy.
Choice Cuts
Rob Ryan at work in his East London studio
Rob Ryan by Roger la Borde
www.misterrob.co.uk
Ryan’s Town: 126 Columbia Road London E2 7RG
“One thing we picked up on straight away is
the difficulty in applying handwritten sentiment
The Publisher
Premium card and gift-wrap publisher, Roger la
Licensing
to the inside of the card. Because of the
Borde, added Rob Ryan to its portfolio back in 2007.
Roger la Borde licenses Rob Ryan’s designs direct
show-through it seems churlish to destroy the
effect with a badly scrawled Happy Birthday or
From its London base in 1985 the creative directors
of Roger la Borde, Alison Solnick and Jenni Barnett,
The Retailer
even I Love You. And with the red colourway
were among the first publishers to revolutionise the
For an art-led product like this it’s no surprise to find
extending to the back, you can’t write there
greetings card and gift-wrap industry by introducing
Rob Ryan’s work in premium retail outlets throughout
either. For men, the sentiment incorporated into
high design values to a sector known mainly for
London like Selfridges, Harvey Nicholls and Liberty.
the cut-out could be all they need! ”
sentiment and nostalgia. The
niche the company helped
established is now known as the
contemporary art card market,
and it has gone onto become
“At first glance recipients probably
one of the most dynamic sectors
won’t be too aware of the delicacy of
in the industry.
the cut-out or the precision required to
The publisher’s current collection
create it. But as we have found in tests,
features creations from Roald
the longer people look at and hold the
Dahl and Little Creatures from
cards the more they switch on to the
Mary-Claire Smith plus licensed
genuine artistry and complexity of the
BBC characters, Charlie and
design - running their fingers over the
Lola. Adding to the mix, striking
cuts and opening the card slightly to
designs featuring peacock
see the effect.”
feathers, butterflys and bees jostle
for space next to mosaic patterns
and punky animal prints.
The Designer
“Roger la Borde’s colour pallete for
Technically Rob Ryan likes
the Rob Ryan range is bold and
to describe himself as an
luxurious. The pinky cerise of the front
illustrator rather than a designer.
here is perfect for deep sentiment or
Nevertheless his work has graced
romanticism and the matt lamination
the windows of Liberty and he’s
adds an understated but premium feel.
collaborated with Vogue and
The cards are only 120 x 170mm but
Paul Smith. He also took on a
the colorways really add to the impact.”
shop lease in Columbia Road,
East London “because it was
available” but only opens it on the
weekends.
Mostly though the
“Ryan’s quaint, romantic prose style
40-something, Cypriot-born son
adds a different dimension to the
of Irish parents is in demand for
sentiment. used anywhere else it
his graphic creations featuring
would sound cheesy but here, allied
whimsical verse, fairy-tale figures
to the almost fairytale aspect of the
and the hand-cut nature of his
design, it achieves a rare honesty of
craft. His work has been translated
feeling that is refreshing .”
into greetings cards with equally
stunning effect and is attracting
buyers who like to frame his work
just as much as they like to send it.
18 Greetings Today
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