After carrying out my interview with Ben Watkinson and Jane Crowther of G . F Smith, I had the opportunity to look at the company's Heritage Exhibition on show at Leeds Beckett University's Rose Bowl.
Established in 1885, paper merchant G . F Smith has long been a name that is synonymous with the supplying of unique and exciting papers and board to the creative industry. The founder, George Frederick Smith, was a man with a singular passion for paper. Both he and his son were driven by a belief in its beauty and possibilities, sharing an admiration for the craft of the printers and publishers that used it.
Today, G . F Smith is much the same; The company has a singular passion for paper and shares this passion with all who may encounter it, serving designers in the creative field, to students and beyond. With ranges such as Colorplan now available in over 30 different countries, the Hull-based brand is a merchant in the truest sense of the word.
The exhibition showcased classic paper and promotion design from the G . F Smith archive. For over a hundred years G. F Smith has consistently worked with the best graphic designers, photographers and artists, resulting in a catalogue of iconic promotional materials. On show was a retrospective body of work, providing a rare opportunity to examine the visual story of the brand's design and marketing innovations.
Showcasing material encompassing both European and American promotions, the exhibition featured work from contributors such as Saul Bass, Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Bill McKay, SEA Design, Made Thought and Studio McGill. This affirms the cultural and commercial significance of visual communication in society through reference to visual heritage in both national and global contexts.
The exhibition made me realise how lucky I was to have been able to talk to Ben and Jane, and just how significant G . F Smith's contribution to the design industry truly is. It was amazing to see the heritage pieces after discussing the future of the company and knowing where it stands today, as it allowed me to see how far the paper merchant has come since its foundation in 1885.
Pictures from the exhibition follow:
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