Mohawk Hosts Release Party for Maker Quarterly in Philadelphia

Mohawk Fine Papers, a manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, held a celebration on June 15 in downtown Philadelphia to release the latest edition of its popular Mohawk Maker Quarterly (Issue #12). More than 30 area creatives gathered at the national branding agency 160over90 to network and to see this latest edition of the Mohawk Maker Quarterly, along with a wide range of samples printed on various Mohawk papers.

Chris Harrold, VP and creative director at Mohawk Fine Papers, gave an overview of past Mohawk Maker Quarterly issues and what went into their creation. “About five years ago, we took a new direction from a marketing and design perspective,” Harrold explained. “We asked ourselves ‘what can we do differently’ to go beyond a paper promotion that had zero percent content? So we decided to connect with the community of designers that we've had such a deep relationship with for many years and give them rich content on a variety of distinctive colored and textured papers.”

Since its 2013 debut, the award-winning  Mohawk Maker Quarterly has explored the landscape of creative expression by focusing on a single topic in all of its issues, and Mohawk has continued to use the printed publication to inspire graphic designers around the world.

Chris Harrold, VP and creative director at Mohawk Fine Papers, holds up the latest the latest Mohawk Maker Quarterly issue (Issue #12), discussing the process involved in its creation.

The Mohawk Maker Quarterly (Issue #12) release party was held in Old City, Philadelphia. This was the view from the balcony.

According to Chris Harrold, VP and creative director at Mohawk Fine Papers, three different covers and dust jackets were actually produced for Mohawk Maker Quarterly (Issue #12). Photo Credit: Hybrid Design

Issue twelve was designed in a 9.75x 13.25” perfect-bound format with a diecut dust jacket and contrasting cover paper to create three unique versions, each with foil stamped mastheads. Photo Credit: Hybrid Design

As with past issues, #12 contains a special artifact, intended support the narrative. In this case, Mohawk has enclosed a 5x7” card with coordinating envelope featuring one of 12 designs with foil, letterpress and offset. Photo Credit: Hybrid Design

Sample of Featured Article: Patron Saint by Bryn Mooth. Established by patrons from San Francisco during WWII, Pond Farm was a creative sanctuary for artists. (Pages 4-5)

Sample of Featured Article: Take it to on The Court by John Dugan. Basketball Courts become the ultimate canvas for international artists. (Page 8)

A sample of a featured article. An interview with KAWS by Brian Flynn. A peek inside a career oscillating between street art, limited-run figurines and large scale sculptural work. (Pages 10-11)

A sample of a featured article: The New Commune by Emily Gosling This modern take on communes is a tech-driven reaction to lonely metropolis living. (pages12-15)

A sample of a featured article: The Art of Rivalry by A.J. Baime. A celebrated rivalry between Ford and Ferrari proves to be a most fascinating manifestation of partnership. (Pages 16-19)

A sample of a featured article: The Artifacts of Connection by Alyson Kuhn. Written correspondence leaves a powerful and evocative trail of artifacts in our lives. (Pages 20-21)

A sample of a featured article: Speaking Places by Jessie Kuhn. UK artist Tim Etchells’ powerful installations combine typography and place. (pages 22-26)

Attendees at the event had the opportunity to view sample swatchbooks, along with other printed examples that demonstrate what can be achieved using Mohawk Fine Papers.

Plenty of literature was on hand at the event.

Designed by Hybrid Design in San Francisco, Issue #12 explores the topic of partnership, and specifically focuses on the ebb and flow of partnerships from 18^th century patrons to 21^st century communes. Through the use of imagery and text, each feature article explores the dynamic tension inherent to any partnership — be it accidental or intentional, adversarial or collegial.

“Humanity’s greatest achievements have happened when people — two or two thousand — worked together,” noted Harrold. “In this issue, we celebrate the partnerships that underpin notable projects today — and that helped bring life to influential work in our past.”

Diving into some of the mechanics of the production and design of this latest issue, the team at Hybrid Design chose a 9.75x13.25” perfect-bound format with a diecut dust jacket and contrasting cover paper to create three unique versions, each with foil stamped mastheads. The 28-page issue are designed with short sheet photo essays in support of the feature articles, creating a harmonious balance of full-bleed photography and text forms.

Throughout the publication, 12 different paper stocks were also used to explore process color and match colors on white, off-white, colored and textured papers. As with past Mohawk Maker Quarterly issues, #12 contains a special artifact intended to support the narrative. In this case, Mohawk enclosed a 5x7” card with a coordinating envelope featuring one of 12 designs printed on the new Strathmore Impress Pure Cotton paper in foil, letterpress and offset.

According to Harrold, issue #12 had a print run of 20,000 copies, and was printed by Sandy Alexander in Clifton, N.J. The commercial printer printed it offset on a Komori press using four-color process, match green, match orange, match brown, match blue, match gold, match gray, foil and spot dull varnish. The postcards within the issue were artfully letterpress printed and foil stamped by Aldine in New York City. The binding was done by Mid Island Bindery in Farmingdale, N.Y.