Q&A Scott & Matt | Telegram Paper Goods
Meet Scott Druce and Matt Harris from Telegram Paper Goods. The pair founded the company in 2008 by hand-picking stationery from innovative designers around the world which has led them to work directly with designers, collaborating on product form and style. They are also staying mindful of the environment to ensure materials used in production are either recycled or low impact. Pop by, say hi.
Name: Scott Druce & Matt Harris
Profession: Telegram Paper Goods, Directors
Location: North Melbourne, Australia
Passion:
SCOTT: Fresh produce – good food, Gin & Tonic, the beach… surfing. Cycling, climbing a mountain and seeing how far you’ve come.
MATT: Bringing people with different skills together to create a synergy in design.
I get my inspirations from:
SCOTT: Travelling, researching how people used stationery in the years gone by, new trends, spending time in different styles of retail.
MATT: Anything that has form and function designed in to it…
How I got my break:
SCOTT: We owned a general store of sorts in the law precinct in Melbourne’s CBD, and found it really difficult to source decent stationery. So, we started designing and sourcing.
MATT: I think my break came from 20 years of experience and hard work coupled with following what I love doing…
My top tricks of the trade:
SCOTT: Follow your concept through every step of the way, and don’t settle for second best. And love your brand(s), respect it and it will respect you.
MATT: Don’t think you can do everything yourself. Work with people who are better skilled in what they do and don’t be intimidated by them.
My style in a sentence:
SCOTT: Contemporary functionality, with a view to the past.
MATT: Ha… I am not sure I have any…
Bet you didn’t know I can:
SCOTT: I always land on my feet… haha… and scoring free drinks in bars.
MATT: Smell a good Chardonnay from 10 yards…
My latest project is about:
SCOTT: Sourced locally, a serious high-end fine paper collection. Something desirable, too often we associate classic stationery with Europe, so it’s about time we produced in Australia.
MATT: Ensuring a brand retains its integrity when placed in a large chain of stores…
My last purchase:
SCOTT: A Lamy ABC fountain pen… I know they’re supposed to be for kids, but they rock!
MATT: A retro racing bike.
My current favourite mecho item:
SCOTT: The collaboration of “Water On The Go” stations in Manhattan during recent New York Fashion Week. Water bottles are so wasteful… I like the branding of NYC tap water.
MATT: I love the Ikea sofas at Paris metro. So simple and effective.
Travel destination and tips:
SCOTT: Morrocco – discard your sense of urgency and adopt the laid back attitude… Bring a camera, and make sure you head to the Rif Mountains.
MATT: Berlin, explore it by foot and you will find incredible small galleries and shops hidden where you least expect to find them…
Pssst…..One time…
SCOTT: No comment
MATT: I used to be a hand model…
The mecho team invites you to continue the conversation below with Scott and Matt during April… Make it fun! Post comments with your own free personal Gravatar
NOTE: ARCHIVE ONLY from Apr-10. You may leave a comment but please note Scott & Matt are no longer actively responding to any questions post 30 Apr-10.
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8 comments
8 Comments Add your own
1.
Rebecca | April 3rd, 2010 at 8:38 am
Hi Scott & Mike, What trends are you seeing in stationary? How has internet/emails and a more electronic society changed the industry as people don’t send letters anymore?
There is a nostalgia with paper and receiving a hand-written letter that I still enjoy and hope will stay on!
2.
Minty | April 6th, 2010 at 11:53 am
What’s your best-selling stationary at the moment and which country is producing the best designs right now?
3.
TelegramPaperGoods | April 8th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Hi Rebecca
The trends in stationery are towards better quality products that reflect the personality of the user. People are writing less but when they do write they want something that reflects something about themselves or that helps them be more creative than they can be on a computer. The trend away from letter writing has actually served to increase the value of the hand written note or letter. It’s realy rare and special when someone goes to an effort to write something for you
Scott & Matt
4.
TelegramPaperGoods | April 8th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hi Minty
All of our brands are doing well at the moment, but Rhodia, O-Check Design Graphics and MMMG are stand outs. Korea is on fire as far as stationery design is concerned at the moment!
Matt & Scott
5.
Amy | April 11th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Nice stuff guys, do you design anything yourselves or you are just collaborating with designers?
6.
TelegramPaperGoods | April 13th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Hi Amy
We try to specialise in bringing designers together to create a synergy of product design of the highest standard. We bought together a brilliant Cartographer and then amazing product designers for the creation of our Telegram World Map.
Also we often work closely with designers from O-Check and MMMG giving our suggestions for new products that particularly suit the Australian market or have been requested by consumers. This is always fun!
Matt & Scott
7.
Karen | April 20th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Hi guys,
What a nice discovery, your stationary looks very cool and cute with a special feel to it all! Do you find it hard to compete with chains such as Kikki K and Smiggles?
K
8.
TelegramPaperGoods | April 23rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
Hi K
Thanks for the comment and compliments on our stationery!
You nailed it when you said our stationery has a special feel to it – that is what we hope for and what we look for. So we are glad you picked up on that.
We are in a different market to Kikki K and Smiggle where importance is placed on unique design and functionality. This is what the customer desires and this is where we hope we can meet their needs.
Scott & Matt
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