File it under…

Today I’ve spent an absurd amount of time looking at file folders. Sure, it may seem lame to some, but really it’s just another kind of canvas. These days I’m really into the useful arts – and not so much industrial design, but paper arts. Notebooks are obviously the foundation of my curiosity – but I’m interested in expanding those ideas to other paper items as well. Enter the file folder. Do people even use the ubiquitous manila file folder anymore? And how can it be used to spruce up even the grayest cubicle (like mine)? The examples I found were rather impressive (for file folders):

In the little bit of spare time I’ve got I started sketching some ideas out as well. While the patterened and image files are very appealing, I’m interested in creating some thing slightly different. What is it we all think of when we’re in the cube? Escape. Bicycles, trains, boats, planes, hot air balloons. Hot air ballons have absolutely captivated my imagination as such an elegant and extravagant alternative mode of travel. Their basic structures and geometries are endlessly beautiful. And just like that, idea #1:

After the quick sketch ideas about color and composition have flooded my brain, as well as ideas for packaging and sets. More to come!