Kim Byer's website, The Paper Apron
As a designer who loves to meet other designers [and artists], either offline or online, I make the most of every opportunity by scouring their site or just being jealously inspired by them. This opportunity came in the oddest of places, at an accounting/tax event held at my husband's work. While talking with Rebeca, a coworker of his, he mentioned my line of work. Immediately she thought of her best friend, Kim Byer and suggested that I visit Kim's website/blog,The Paper Apron. I was intrigued from the beginning. From the opening logo at the top, to the cleverly written words, to the visually appealing photography [perhaps it was the food!], I was hooked. What came about is this interview and hopefully a future offline meeting where we can eat and chat design (and food)! Be sure to visit her at The Paper Apron for a taste of her creative work.For more info about Kim, feel free to email her.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a designer. I make my living as an independent contractor, designing Web and software interfaces. I also create brands and collaborate on creative business strategies for small businesses.
Does where you live inspire you? If so, how?
Oh, absolutely. A couple of years ago, my husband and I bought an aging Tudor, on a narrow, tree-canopied street near downtown Columbia. It turned out to be the most magical, peaceful urban setting. For example, we have -literally- weekly sightings of runaway bunnies in our backyard. To me, there is nothing more inspirational than to be working in my kitchen and to look up and see a large white bunny hopping through the yard! It’s like having an imaginary play date with Lewis Carroll and Grace Slick. I’m amazed I get any work done here.
When did you notice that you had an inkling of creative leanings/talents?
I was probably in middle school, but because I had family members who were/are creative giants, I dismissed my talent as mediocre. Then, in my late twenties, a friend introduced me to his Mac, one of the few in town at the time, and I fell in love-- with the Mac. The next semester I was back in school, studying design, after a decade-long bartending hiatus. The Mac freed the designer inside me and from that moment on, I knew what I wanted to do.
How do you stay inspired/creative?
I am most inspired by travel, but at home, I surf my favorite cooking blogs and design sites. I try my hand at oil painting, sewing, gardening and decorating. Artistic expression feeds itself and I think creative people are creative in so many areas that it's important to wander aimlessly over the arts.
What project[s] is/are next on your creative calendar?
I have two 7-foot chalkboards in my dining room that loom over me like schoolmarms, reminding me of all the things that I promised myself I’d accomplish this year. There are about sixty to-dos on them, most of them creative in some form. Next on the list, my husband, Rich, and I have a bathroom to design and remodel, a Website to build for our consulting company, Plan B Design, and I’m working on a blackberry pie-in-a-jar idea I have for my blog. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
What made you decide to start The Paper Apron?
Seriously, I think anyone who has a blog has some narcissistic inner prima donna just dying to unleash her latest opinion and have someone --anyone-- notice. But, on the positive side, it’s a space where I can make up recipes, cook, eat, design, write, style food, shoot photographs and edit them with utter autonomy and abandon. Self-publishing is a designer’s dream.
Favorite main entrée to make or eat?
I’m a homemade pizza junky. I love to roll out the dough. And to eat? I am happy with a simple meal of fresh bread, sharp cheese and red wine. Of course we could throw in some pâte on the side. And some Dijon mustard. Maybe a small lettuce-only salad. I think it’s the perfect meal.
Favorite dessert to make or eat?
My latest sweet crush is on Pearl Jelly Smoothies—the kind you find in Vietnamese restaurants. They come in fabulous flavors-- avocado to watermelon to mocha and in the bottom of the cups, colorful tapioca jelly pearls are just hanging out, waiting to be sucked up into your over-sized straw. They’re entertaining and delicious.
Where do you envision The Paper Apron’s future?
If things simply keep going along like they’re going along, I’ll be happy. The Paper Apron is so much fun for me. My hope is to expand it into a daily dose of apron-empowered inspiration- I’d really just like more women to drop by on their morning romp around the World Wide Web and soak up some edible sunshine and a handful of words that might make them smile. Although lately, I’m lucky to post every four or five days. Maybe I’m too busy watching for bunnies.
Do you have a creative ritual? If so, what is it?
Nah. I just tune the world out. If you call me while I’m designing, you’ll soon realize I can’t design and talk at the same time and you’ll gently talk me into hanging up the phone; it’s like I’m sleepwalking.
What are 5 books that have inspired you/continue to inspire you?
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggars, Ruth Riechl’s Comfort Me with Apples, anything by Eckhart Tolle, Emily Dickenson’s poetry and my favorite rollicking good read -- A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.
What other artists [current/past] inspire you?
Artist is a broad term for me. If I could have my dream dinner party and invite my favorite artists, I’d invite Celia Tejada, Antoni Gaudí, Joseph Mitchell, Peggy Guggenheim, Edward Hopper, Orson Welles, Diane Arbus, Amy Winehouse, and Andy Warhol. Oh, and Jamie Oliver, Julia Child and Alice Waters could cook. That should make for a lively evening.
Three colors that represent you and why:
Vivid petal green, periwinkle blue, and gray-taupe. In the 70s, my mom painted everything we owned a bright, spring green. It stuck, along with a Marimekko sensibility for pop graphical elements. When green came back into vogue in the early 00’s, I was relieved that half of what I owned was finally in style again. Periwinkle blue, the blue of a massive hydrangea blossom, would be my next favorite color. I just think it’s one of nature’s prettiest colors. It’s got the best of blue and purple all rolled into one. And then, there’s taupe. It’s just barely there, barely a color. It’s like an elegant eye shadow on a refined Parisian woman. It makes me feel elegant, and whether I am or not, is unimportant. Every designer has a favorite neutral; taupe has always been mine.
Do you have any art/design tips for aspiring designers?
Yeah. And I wish I'd read these twenty years ago. 1. Get the best education you can afford. 2. Find the best design house in your city and beg an internship. 3. Get your first job and your second job and your third job in companies where everyone is smarter than you and they’re willing to teach you what they know. 4. Strive to do your very best work, no matter how mundane a project or client seems. 5. Learn to write well. This, more than any other skill, will ensure your designs and your ideas are taken seriously.
Thanks for your time Kim!
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