Cohoes, NY – Mohawk, North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, announces a completely redesigned layout of its award-winning Mohawk Maker Quarterly publication.  

Established in 2013, the Mohawk Maker Quarterly has been enthusiastically received by makers and creatives worldwide. After two years of publication, Mohawk and San Francisco-based Hybrid Design felt the timing was right for a refresh with the ninth issue, which is serendipitously themed around the concept of inspiration.

What began as a vehicle to communicate experiences that are unique to print communications by highlighting the beauty and tactility of fine paper, the Maker Quarterly has evolved into an award-winning publication showcasing thoughtful editorial features, compelling design, and benchmark printing techniques on a variety of distinctive colored and textured papers which demonstrate the beauty and technical quality of Mohawk’s expansive Text & Cover portfolio. 

Caleb Kozlowski, Hybrid’s Design Director, explains the catalyst for change, “Over the last two years and eight issues we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what inspiration means. A restless creative wanderlust marks those of us who make, and hints that underneath the flash and excitement that often accompanies inspiration is something more fundamental: change. And while crashing waves of change may always be a constant in life, it is inspiration that gives us the insight to guide and shape this change. So, we are lifting anchor, embracing our creative fidgeting and tracing currents of inspiration to unknown destinations.”

Mohawk’s Vice President of Business Development and Creative Director, Chris Harrold, adds, “Inspiration disrupts, it challenges. It can come from the smallest source and inform massive change. It motivates people to take bold action to pursue their dreams. Inspiration opens our eyes, changes our thinking, upends our lives in the best ways. We’re thrilled with the direction of change Hybrid is steering for the Maker Quarterly, and we’re eagerly anticipating an enthusiastic response from readers.”

With each issue, the Hybrid design team pushes the boundaries of creative expression. Issue nine is certainly no exception. Featuring a new masthead and rule design element which signifies connection and continuity, the 9.75 x 13” publication inspires from cover(s) to cover.

At very first glance, readers will observe noticeable changes - not one, but three deconstructed covers:

1. Cover one is a striking 8.75 x 8.75” wrap featuring Mohawk Carnival Vellum, Yellow 70 text, which describes the essence of issue nine and the topic of inspiration. The wrap opens to a table of contents and the reveal of a second cover.
2. Cover two measures 8.75 x 12.25” and features a stunning design by Sister Corita Kent beautifully showcased on Mohawk Loop Antique Vellum, Milkweed, 80 text.
3. Cover three leads the reader to the issue’s feature story: I Quit.  The 9.75 x 13.25” cover features black and white photography of an enormous crashing wave printed on Mohawk Loop Laid, Pure White 70 text. Inverted text design communicates the editorial perspective: those who’ve taken the plunge and left a comfortable existence for the thrill of the unknown.

“We are excited about the material play with color and texture on the multiple covers. You see the vibrant Carnival Vellum Yellow wrap, and also a deep blue and a peek of neon pink and orange on Loop Antique Vellum. It demonstrates how materials can make a big impact both visually and texturally,” said Dora Drimalas, Principal of Hybrid Design.

Issue nine features a selection of six distinctive colored and textured papers drawn from the following Mohawk paper grades: Carnival, Via, Loop, as well a custom designed letterpress insert on the new ultra-thick and luxurious Mohawk Superfine Eggshell 150 Cover.

Caleb Kozlowski explains the design inspiration from a paper standpoint, “We had been thinking about the design change in terms of paper. When we began the Maker Quarterly series two years ago, we began designing each issue within one specific paper grade, ‘This is the Superfine issue, this is the Loop issue;’ now it’s evolved, and it’s not just about one grade per issue, it’s about how the papers can work together to make something special.”  

To support the theme of inspiration, issue nine contains a print commissioned for Mohawk by painter and public artist Stephen Powers, known as ESPO in the world of graffiti culture. The   limited edition print supports the message of chasing inspiration, and is beautifully letterpressed in three colors on new Mohawk Superfine Eggshell 150 cover, skillfully produced by Rohner Press of Chicago. A profile of Stephen Powers’ work appears in “A Day in the Life,” by Jessie Kuhn, on page 26. 

Content wise, issue nine is different too. “There are elements that are expected and comfortable, and others that are odd or unusual, but we’re talking about the subject of inspiration, and inspiration comes from really unusual places sometimes,” said Kozlowski. “We don’t want to be held to expectations and we don’t want readers to get too hung up on trends. It’s more about sharing the principles of the maker movement.”

Mohawk Maker Quarterly issue nine includes the following feature articles:

• Collecting Inspiration – Meet the modern day anthropologists who are inspired by collecting-and let us share in their discoveries. Written by Jessie Kuhn.
• GT Eesti: Redrawing the Future of a Lost Typeface – Inspiration from an unlikely source serves as the catalyst for a Swiss-born type designer to revamp a forgotten Cold War-era 1940’s typeface. The article is set in GT Eesti. Written by Jessie Kuhn.
• I Quit – We’ve all fantasized about it: quitting your day job to pursue your dreams on your terms –following your inspiration wherever it leads. A tale of seven creatives who quit and lived to tell the tale may inspire you to set out and forge your own trail. Written by Grace Dobush.
• The Power Wielded by Color – Color penetrates the psyche from Arctic white-out conditions to buildings in the slums transformed to a rainbow of possibilities. Written by Jessie Kuhn.
• Inventing Youth – The dazzling line-up of inventions created by children aged four to twelve, evoke shades of Rube Goldberg, Ray Bradbury, Martha Stewart – and perhaps even Steve Jobs. Written by Sarah Schwartz.
• Inspired by Imperfections – Celebrating the anomalies and imperfections of making, from the flawed beauty of kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing ceramics – to the unsteady waver of one-of-a-kind, hand-painted signage. Written by Grace Dobush.
• NASA The Art of Science – Since its early days, NASA has used art and design to translate space projects and discoveries in ways that inspire the imaginations of Americans. Written by Bryn Mooth.
• * A Day in the Life – Following the work and life of graffiti artist Stephen Powers, also known as ESPO. Written by Jessie Kuhn.
• * The Movement: Inspiration from Unexpected Places – How Sister Corita Kent, a modern Catholic nun inspired by faith, advertising, social justice and Andy Warhol enamored the art world with her joyful message.  Written by Grace Dobush.

The following makers are featured in issue nine:

• Taxi Fabric, Textile collaborative, Mumbai, India
• Hannah Waldron, Fiber artist, United Kingdom
• ODESD2, Industrial design bureau, Kiev, Ukraine
• * Alexandra Kehayoglou, Rug designer, Buenos Aires, Argentina
• * Fabrice Le Nezet, Designer, visual artist & filmmaker, London, England
• Charles Fréger, Portrait photographer, Rouen, France
• FiveAM, Design studio, Kortrijk, Belgium

*Articles enhanced with bonus content available via Mohawk Live, using HP Aurasma augmented reality technology. Mohawk Live users should download the free upgrade to Mohawk Live 2.0.

The Mohawk Maker Quarterly issue nine was skillfully printed by Sandy Alexander, Inc., Clifton, NJ, using four color printing, 2^nd black, match blue, match neon pink and orange, spot dull varnish. 

To view the publication online or to sign up to receive future issues of the Mohawk Maker Quarterly, visit www.mohawkconnects.com/cultureofcraft.