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Harry BennettAntalis Creative Power Awards finalists: two published projects that define print excellence
Earlier in 2022, we brought you news of the Antalis Creative Power Awards – a celebration of printed projects by international paper manufacturer Antalis. Once the deadline was closed and all of the entries were in, we travelled to Paris to take part in the jury alongside a range of talented individuals from the design industry; helping to select the finalists from the awards’ eight categories.
From there, we have curated our favourites and will be presenting them to you across a series of eight articles before unveiling the winners. Within the Print Excellence category, we selected projects that truly define the category, showcasing a delicacy, diligence and tactile meticulousness that exceeds one’s expectations, as well as the everyday print job.
Encapsulating the work of her own paper and print-focused art practice, Parisian Art Director and Artist Camille Vignaud has partnered with long-time collaborator Sylvain Guevel, from printers Infine l’artisan imprimeur, to craft an ethereal, material collection of image-making, championing her exploration of memory mechanics. Vignaud tells us, “I entrusted him (Guevel) with all my editorial objects,” ranging from cultural institutions to luxury brands, discussing their working relationship. “He is the most perfectionist person I have ever met,” she recalls, “I love the way he takes care of every detail of the project during the whole process,” praising his practice’s technical accuracy and sincerity. “He has always given me his support and his confidence,” she adds, “I have with him an immense artistic freedom, he has all my gratitude for that.”
The collection, Coffret Mémoire Poétique, houses flower photograms delicately printed on Curious Translucent Clear and Conqueror White Vellum via a photo-sensitive technique akin to dark-room film development, conceptually reflecting the project’s themes of ‘collective memory.’ This intimacy is also reflected in the text throughout the collection, manifesting in both the hand-rendered script of Vignaud and Production Type’s Cardinal Classic. “It’s a recent typeface but it refers to classic typefaces such as Garamond or Mrs Eaves,” Vignaud notes, so it’s “part of a classic tradition but in a contemporary way.”
Returning to the close collaboration with Guevel, Vignaud details the unique diagonal structure of the collection’s box, notably made of Velin d’Arches paper that maintains the fringed edges of its creation. “The diagonal folds are Sylvain’s idea,” she explains, having initially approached Guevel with simpler forms in mind. “I find that these folds give a real movement to the object,” Vignaud concludes, “and they go in the direction of my artistic thinking.”
Designed for the Chinese restaurant Yung Kee, the mooncake packaging by Hong Kong-based creative studio NOWMATTERS translates their heritage and meticulous attention to detail; finding inspiration in the interior space of the establishment itself. “Being one of the most iconic restaurants in Hong Kong,” Account Director Lewina Lui tells us, “Yung Kee had just underwent a renovation last year after centuries,” crafted to resemble a modern twist, such as 1970s-inspired colours and fixtures. “Inspired by the colour palette of the newly renovated restaurant,” Lewina continues, “we have chosen Coral, Meadow and Indian Yellow from the Keaykolour collection for this packaging,” noting the vibrant yet sophisticated use of Arjowiggins’ paper range. “They work in perfect harmony,” she adds, “but its natural texture has also helped increase the sophistication of the whole packaging.”
With mooncake products typically not associated with luxury, Lewina explains that the very context of mooncake coming from Yung Kee innately elevates its stature. “Our client has played an important part in Hong Kong culinary development and is considered as one of the most luxury Chinese restaurants,” Lewina notes, “therefore, the packaging is created based on a luxury approach,” delicately crafted with high-end printing techniques such as laser cutting, intricate construction and gold foil.
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