vrk loves paper

vrk loves paper explores the intersection of paper crafts and software, documenting personal projects, creative processes, and self-discovery. Themes include design improvement, balancing personal and social life, launching new projects, and the development of a magazine (Pouch) and related software (Pouch Studio).

Paper Crafts Design Personal Projects Community and Events Small Business Software Development Print Design Marketing

The hottest Substack posts of vrk loves paper

And their main takeaways

1 year of solo work!

339 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Art Self-Improvement Personal Growth Work-life balance
  1. Taking time off from work allowed for creativity and self-discovery. Instead of just quitting to find direction, planning ahead helped focus on what truly mattered.
  2. It's important to tackle personal projects based on what you genuinely want to create. Listening to your instincts can lead to fulfilling achievements.
  3. Creating alone has challenges, like managing all tasks yourself and feeling the pressure of deadlines. Recognizing these struggles can help improve work-life balance moving forward.

slowly, but shipping! ⛵️

179 implied HN points • 16 May 24
🎭️ Culture Art Zines Community Creativity Events
  1. Launching a project can take time, and it can be exciting to sell out before it's officially launched. Planning and adjusting orders based on demand is important.
  2. Attending events like zine fairs can create a great sense of community, allowing for connections and support among creators. It's important to focus on making friends rather than just selling.
  3. Learning about running a small business can be very rewarding, especially when the classes emphasize sustainability and community focus. Practical skills, like printing, can improve over time too.

off to the printers!!

139 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Illustration Publishing Marketing Stationery
  1. The first issue of Pouch magazine is ready for printing. It has 50 pages packed with content for stationery lovers and journalers.
  2. A new cover design was created to better represent what Pouch is about. It now clearly targets a specific audience and reflects the magazine's fun vibe.
  3. The creator is taking time to develop Pouch carefully, treating the first issue as a pilot study to gauge interest and improve their skills in print design.

Fold paper, make zines, take an art class!!!

239 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Zines Classes Design Drawing
  1. Taking art classes, like figure drawing, can significantly improve your skills and understanding of art. It's great to learn techniques hands-on with a teacher guiding you.
  2. Making zines can be a fun and creative way to express yourself. It's exciting to see your work shared and sold in stores, making it feel more official.
  3. Exploring new hobbies, like origami or paper crafts, can be a fun and fulfilling way to spend your time. It helps with relaxation and creativity, especially during festive seasons.

vrk the marketer

139 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Arts Community DIY Publishing Creativity
  1. The main goal is to create a magazine called Pouch, but the bigger dream is to develop software called Pouch Studio for paper lovers. This software will help people easily make both paper and digital crafts.
  2. Marketing Pouch is challenging, and the author is trying different methods like Instagram, featuring creators, and attending fairs to spread the word and build a community around paper crafting.
  3. The author wants to make a fun, engaging magazine to support paper enthusiasts while learning more about design and marketing. Feedback from readers is important to know if Pouch is succeeding.
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how are those design studies going?

219 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🪑 Design Graphic design Fashion Art User Experience Creative Process
  1. Recognizing a fear of judgment is important when learning something new, like fashion or design. It's okay to need time to learn and grow without worrying about how you look to others.
  2. Instead of focusing solely on perfection in design, aim to create joyfully and embrace mistakes. It's about the process, not just the final product.
  3. Learning takes time and comes with feelings of being behind, but having supportive friends and a clear vision of your goals can help you stay motivated.

the first one's the bad one!

199 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🪑 Design Graphic design Product Design User Experience Illustration Creative Process
  1. When working on goals, it's better to focus on whether the problems that come with them are interesting and fulfilling for you. Every goal has challenges, so choose the ones you want to tackle.
  2. In design, it's important to sketch many different ideas, even if they seem odd or wrong at first. Your first attempt is usually not your best, so keep exploring different options.
  3. Using references that resonate with you can make the design process easier and more enjoyable. It's fine to start with things you're familiar with before branching out to more complex inspirations.

I HAVE IMPROVED AT DESIGN 😤

159 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🪑 Design Graphic design Product Design Fashion & Design Interior design Web Design
  1. Design skills can improve over time with practice. The recent work showed noticeable growth compared to earlier projects.
  2. A recent event, the Receipt Printer Meetup, was a success with many attendees enjoying the chaos and fun of printing stickers together.
  3. New creative projects, like the 'Dogs of Fate,' are exciting and can be made quickly, inspiring continued exploration and development of ideas.

Pouch is now available for preorder!

99 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Art Media Publishing Literature Lifestyle
  1. Pouch is available for preorder, and it's an indie magazine for paper lovers. The first issue has 22 pages and is set to ship around April/May 2024.
  2. The author is excited yet curious about how people will receive Pouch. They've put a lot of love and effort into this project, and it's a big milestone for them.
  3. A new zine store called Pouch Cafe is also launching, selling their various zines. They feel more legit as a zine maker now that they have a store, even if they sell zero zines.

🗓️ cycle 2 begins?! learnings & changes!!

139 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity Learning Personal Growth Design Art
  1. Working on personal projects feels really good. Having control over what you're creating can bring happiness and motivation.
  2. Focusing on one project at a time can lead to better results. Trying to juggle too many tasks can often lead to getting nothing done.
  3. It's okay to take time to learn new skills instead of doing what you're already good at. Learning something new can be a great way to grow.

Launching: Mini Printer Pal!!!

119 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Open Source Education
  1. Mini Printer Pal is a free tool that helps you edit photos for a specific printer, making printing easier for users.
  2. The creator found joy in working solo after many years of team projects, feeling a sense of accomplishment from start to finish.
  3. Looking ahead, the creator is considering new projects, such as building a fortune-telling device or creating a stationery zine with friends.

🦕 in pursuit of an angry-enough dinosaur

119 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Creative Process Illustration Digital Art
  1. Working for yourself can be really enjoyable and fulfilling, even if it's only been a short time. The freedom to set your own schedule can lead to a lot of excitement.
  2. Balancing social time can be trickier than expected. Meeting friends and networking is fun, but too many meetings can drain your social energy.
  3. Working on creative projects, like printers or art pieces, can be a great way to explore new ideas and keep yourself engaged while enjoying the process.

[EVENT] Receipt Printer meetup TOMORROW!! 🧾

39 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Gadgets DIY Projects Meetups Hobbies
  1. There is a Receipt Printer Meetup happening tomorrow in Brooklyn, NY, where people can learn about thermal printers. It's a casual event for those curious about printers, whether they know much about them or not.
  2. The meetup will feature a show-and-tell of various receipt printer projects, plus a chance to hang out with others who share this interest. Attendees can also see and try out different printers, including cat printers.
  3. Even though there won’t be snacks or drinks, it’s a fun, relaxed setting where people can connect. If anyone can't make it, there will be a recap in the next newsletter.

the tear of perforation!

1 HN point • 20 Aug 24
🎭️ Culture Community Engagement
  1. The author had a busy and exciting time at Stationery Fest, meeting many people and sharing their magazine, Pouch. They were focused on introducing their work and connecting with potential contributors.
  2. A key part of their booth was a creative survey station that allowed visitors to write their favorite stationery preferences on cards. This interactive setup was designed to engage attendees more effectively.
  3. The author realized the importance of fun in their designs, like making the survey cards perforated for easy tearing. They learned that a fun experience can be more valuable than just efficiency in the tech world.

🌞 the dawn of a new era!

39 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Software Startups Creative Tools Personal Projects
  1. The author has left their job to pursue personal projects, specifically creating software focused on paper crafts. They feel excited and ready for this new adventure.
  2. They redesigned their personal website to showcase their work and story, aiming to make it fun and inviting for visitors.
  3. The author is exploring new topics each month, with a focus on printing photos this month, while also being open to other creative side projects.