The Hickensian

13.10.09 Squared

11 comments
Tagged with: analog, geek, paper, stationery, wireframing

Saddle-Stitch-heart

My name is Jon Hicks, and I’m a stationery fetishist. I’m sure many of you are too. I love the design, feel, and most of all, smell of it. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of walking into WHSmiths and smelling the pencils and paper, looking at the pads and notebooks (and being allowed to buy a new one!). Even in an age when my work is solely screen-based, I still lust after the senses-satisfying joy of new stationery.

Just recently, I’ve started using graph paper pads again, particularly for sketching interface wireframes. I’ve tried plain paper, but I’m one of those people that can’t draw a freehand straight line to save their life. Then the wonkiness of the line just becomes a distraction.

I’d been using a Paperchase notebook, which had a very faint dotted line squared paper, but it was only a few sheets amongst a variety of other types. It was ideal, but Paperchase don’t make a pad or notebook of just this type anymore, so after fruitless local searching and googling, I asked for Twitter feedback on a suitable alternative. The response was fantastic, and here are the three best options.

The Original Designers Workbook (Available from the Design Museum Shop, although mostly out of stock at the moment) fits the criteria, as subtle graph paper pad:

background1

Here’s a sample of it’s grid:

The most-suggested option by far was the Behance dot grid book (available in the UK from Strawberry and Cream):

Behance grid book close up

Best of all though looks like the Swedish Whitelines series, as suggested by David Hughes (available from Foyles in London, Amazon and Papernation in the UK).

Hard-bound-all-sizes-lying

Rather than use the traditional lined approach, it uses the negative space, creating a less destructive white lined grid:

flowersCompare

I should also mention the lovely Konigi Wireframe Pad, which also looked ideal, but sadly is US delivery only. Yes, I can always get someone in the US to send it on for me, but on principle I prefer not to. They offer a great range of free PDF templates that you print off, but that’s not a economical solution in the long term. Fine for the odd sheet here and there. Also, Inkjet prints just don’t have that lustfulness about them in the way new stationery does.

So, I’ve ordered both the Behance Dot book and a Whitelines notebook to try them both out!

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No.1

∞ Mischa McLachlan said 119 days ago:

I’ve been in love with Muji stationary for the past few years. And have about 10 full muji notebooks worth of drawings now. They have dotted pages, but with plastic covers, some even with the plastic zip-lock page for putting things in, like a pen, or small things.

I’m not sure if this is exactly the right one, but this is similar:

http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&Sec=12&Sub=49&PID=2419

You should definitely check them out if you’ve not already.

No.2

∞ David Hughes said 119 days ago:

I’m so glad I’m not the only one…

Look forward to hearing what you think of both notebooks.

(Heads off to look at the Behance notebooks)

No.3

∞ Anthony Baker said 119 days ago:

I’ve been using the Behance dot grid book for a while — definitely very, very nice. As I live in the USA, I’ve not seen the Whitelines series, but am going to try and hunt these down. They look lovely.

If you’re at all interested, I also recommend getting Behance’s Action Steps notepad product, as well. It’s inexpensive and I find myself using the product a lot during meetings to keep notes, define clear actions, etc. Also has the benefit of having a dot grid pattern on the back of each sheet for sketching (as well as a dot grid pattern on the left column on the front).

No.4

∞ Andy Hawkes said 119 days ago:

+1 for the Muji notebooks.

That being said, I’m currently using some squared pads that I found in Lidl of all places for my general scribbling needs – I’m to skint to be a stationery snob at the minute!

No.5

∞ thismat said 119 days ago:

I may have turned in my official designers badge for programming, but I can’t help but share your sentiments. There is something elegant, especially about hand lettering on grids, that is just so attractive and pleasing to the senses.

I think I’m going to have to pick some of these up, even if I don’t design as much anymore.

No.6

∞ paul haine said 119 days ago:

Here’s what you need to complement your paper:

http://www.penciltalk.org/

No.7

∞ Marty said 118 days ago:

Yeah about the fetish thing. There is definitely something going on in the subconscious when it comes to stationery. The desire to have a fresh page (a clean slate!) with which to jot new ideas, is the most likely reason why I have so many notebooks, pens and other writing accouterments gathered up in a stationery box. Ironically the nicer the book the more resistant I am to to write in it for fear of spoiling it. Help!

No.8

∞ Mark McCorkell said 118 days ago:

When I was a kid and getting ready to go back to school after the summer I’d always love venturing into Easons and buying new pens and pencils of all kinds! Rollerballs, 4B pencils, gel pens and those really fancy pencils! A pencilcase can only hold so much!

I don’t know why, but for some reason I like using little post-it notes for working on little logo ideas now.

No.9

∞ Si said 118 days ago:

I picked up a Whitelines sketchbook from Foyles last night because of this post, and I really like it. The grid is excellent – clear without being distracting, and the “scannability” of it will come in useful, and the paper is heavy enough to feel good to work with (heavier would be nicer, but its recycled nature satisfies my inner hippie).

No.10

∞ cheap phones said 117 days ago:

I could still remember when me and my sisters used to collect stationaries and putting different perfumes on it and sometime trade it with other types of stationaries with our classmates in school. Oh this brings back memories.

No.11

∞ Phil Norton said 115 days ago:

Dear Mr Hicks

You have just cost me £30 in stationery that I probably didn’t need, but had to have after reading this. So I’m hoping you’ll understand when I invoice you for £30 to cover my costs.

Yours,
Phil