Have you ever wondered what the people behind Paperblanks get up to every day? Did you ever look at a Paperblanks design and wonder, “Hmm, how would this look on my desk?” Well, in this new exclusive blog series, we are diving headfirst into uncovering what our staff have on their desks.
This week we’re back with the Marketing department but heading across the water to our Vancouver office, where we spoke to Max, our Graphic Designer. Max has one of the most unique Paperblanks stories, having started with the company all the way back in June 2014. He later switched to freelancing in 2021, working alongside the Product Development team, and now has returned to Marketing as a full-time employee since July 14 of this year!
When I asked Max what his day-to-day looks like, he said it varies depending on the season. Currently, he’s putting together our biannual catalogue and creating packaging materials for our accessories. His mornings always begin with scanning emails, replying to anything urgent, and then jumping onTeams calls before diving into whatever project is on his plate.
I asked Max which Paperblanks essentials help him stay on top of his busy workload. The first thing on his list is his Blue Luxe midi planner, the perfect office companion for keeping track of tasks and ticking off to-do lists. For taking notes in morning meetings, his go-to is the Firebird A5 cahier notebook, an ideal format for quickly jotting down updates. And, like many in-house designers at Paperblanks, Max is never far from the Brand Field Guide, bookmarked to the important colour codes he needs to reference for his marketing projects.
Beyond Paperblanks products, Max mentioned a few other essentials for his workday. His wireless headphones and blue-light glasses are a must. In his own words, he jokes how you have “got to keep those circadian rhythms in check.” He also keeps a cherished photo of his son on his desk, though he admits he’ll need to update it soon: “I’m looking to get a photo of both my kids because I think my daughter is getting jealous.”
Another sentimental item is his copy of Shepard Fairey’s Supply & Demand, a book he purchased years ago that continues to remind him of the influence this style of art had on his early design career. He notes how he’s “always been a fan of graffiti and street art, and it had a big impact on me growing up. Fairey’s book is chock full of bold, eye-catching artwork and inspiring stories from the artist.”
From Blue Luxe planners to blue-light glasses, we thank Max for sharing his Paperblanks Daily Desk essentials. Next Friday, we’ll be jumping over to Ecommerce, where Ani tells us the products he can’t live without.
