‘Speak, Memory’ Studio
2014-2017 – CREATIVE DIRECTION, ILLUSTRATION, USER RESEARCH
Speak, Memory is an illustration studio I started, specializing in creating customized Ex Libris stamps for those who, in the face of the ebook revolution, are still avid book collectors. For those who value their libraries as prized possessions, each book having been a map, a tool, or a field guide in shaping the person they have become and the paths they’ve crossed along the way.
WHAT IS AN EX-LIBRIS STAMP?
An ex-libris stamp, also known as a bookplate, is a small print or decorative label pasted into a book, often on the inside front cover, to indicate its owner.
Bookplates will usually bear a motto, crest, or motif that relates to the owner of the book. The name of the owner usually follows an inscription such as "from the books of..." or the Latin "ex libris..."
For Thomas, who is an avid fencer.
Some of the stamps I’ve worked on over the years.
The tradition dates back to the 16th century. The stamps were highly personalized in order to identify the owner of the book. Check out this article for more on the history of bookplates, and examples of famous ones.
This one was for a Parisian family living in NY.
Lucy, an artist, and her beloved puppy in awe of the universe.
PROCESS
To be able to truly personalize the stamps, I got to craft an intimate survey and interview process. Whether I was working with the person I was designing the stamp for, or a loved one who wanted to gift the stamp, this was the most crucial step. I got to listen in on their stories, dreams, all the wonderful ways they cared about their own life and place in the universe.
The research part was crucial (as is in any other design work) in order to get to know the unique and poetic ways the person saw themselves or was seen by their loved ones, in order to design magical objects which would be cherished for a lifetime.
"If she were a fictional character she would probably the protagonist of an adventure story that involved magic and her defending her from dragons." – From a user interview
Design for the Goodman-Hupfel family who live in New York City.
The designs aimed to capture the curios and unique existence of the owner. I tried to imagine how to create an image of the owner, for when a stamped book ended up in a far removed relative years later, they could get to know their ancestor in a much more personal way. Or hold some mysterious and wonderful history for someone who might be flipping through old books in a bookstore decades later. (Yes-I still have faith in bookstores for decades to come!)
