Designer Profiles Features
January 15, 2020 •
10 Designers to Watch in 2020: Kathryn Hunter
KATHRYN HUNTER
Blackbird Letterpress
Aesthetic of the Line?
Blackbird Letterpress is a quirky vintage, nature and history-inspired card and paper novelty company. We design with a nod to vintage typography, old book illustration, movable paper toys, animal folktales and women’s history. We love products that move and have more than one function, like animal shaped gift cards. Our color palette is warm, from mustard yellow to “blackbird blue” — a light sea-green/celadon/warm blue hand-mixed ink — to touches of neon.
Current Bestseller?
Shirley Chisholm was the first Black American Congresswoman in 1968. Our Shirley Chisholm notebook features a letterpress printed cover, red sewn stitched binding, rounded corners and recycled pages.
Personal Favorite?
Thanks, Man Manatee gift card. When we first started wholesaling, we found a little niche with quirky animal shaped die-cut gift cards. The manatee card is letterpressed in teal ink on recycled tile green paper, then die cut in our studio. Her little flipper holds a gift card, money, a thank-you or photo.
Surprise Hit?
Holy Cow it’s your birthday, I’m always surprised when a card based on one of my outside interests, ufology, is a hit! This die-cut folded card is letterpressed in bright yellow and dark gray on recycled paper, accompanied by an A2 yellow envelope.
Iconic Selection?
We started the Inspiring Women series in 2016, and it especially took off that year. We’re continuing to expand and are working on a 100 years anniversary collection commemorating the 19th Amendment for 2020.
Favorite Color?
Chartreuse PMS 610U.
Current Design Obsession?
Vintage book covers.
Favorite Flower?
Fireweed.
Favorite Indulgence?
Collecting vintage field guides.
