The Downfall of the Commercial Art Paper.

Seriously? Why is there no outcry? Why is there no uproar from the design community? Why are there not mobs of angry designers in black turtlenecks marching with exactos held high?

Has no one noticed that the Bienfang Commercial art papers, Designer Series, Graphics No. 360 has switched from their beautiful, classic un-coated paper cover to a nasty, thin, fingerprint showing, coated cover?

Where was the survey? Where is the market research on this one? Who’s the genius who is willing to change the comfort of an un-coated cover, which was probably used for sketching some of the most brilliant and thought provoking designs of our time, to the new slick and slimy cover we are forced to touch now? Could it be the same person who added the glare to my new i-mac screen?

While the rest of the world is finally moving to un-coated and natural papers - Bienfang felt it would be a great idea to go high-tech and glossy. Smooth move Bienfang.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 22nd, 2008 at 10:20 am and is filed under Main. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.

2 comments

  1. Cary Sheehan
    January 5, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    My exacto is held high for you… while I do not use this particular cover, I know how it is. A survey would have been useful in this type of change. At least your opinion would have been heard. I bet Sprockets from SNL would love to join your rally, black turtleneck and all.

  2. Tomas
    February 26, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    I’m leading the angry mob you speak of. I doubt anyone who uses the Graphic 360 paper would ever suggest this new cover. This misguided decision must have been made by someone out of touch with their users: it makes no sense.

    Let me continue my rant…why do they only give us 50 sheets. I cringe every time I recycle the cardboard backs on these…and how about 8.5×11, some folks would like to file sheets in 9X12 folders, or standard files or anything that is designed to hold a letter size pad - so you can bring it to a client meeting and not look like you just pickup office supplies.

    This is a terrific product which I’ve used for over 20 years. You match it with the Pentel P205 with a variety of leads, PrismaColor and a Peel-Off Magic Rub 1960, I’m in creative heaven.

    Come on Bienfang! The people have spoken. Tomas, Creative Director, ripe.com

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