We've been talking to, and admiring the work of Jonathan Chapman aka Mr Yen via Twitter over the past few months and as a recent graduate, Soupa wanted to ask him a few questions about his practice, how he disciplines himself and what inspires him.
How long have you been paper cutting?
I started papercutting just over a year ago and have been doing it ever since. While at University I tried to incorporate it into as many briefs as possible or adapt it to fit what I was doing.
Papercuts seem to take a lead in your portfolio - what influenced you and keeps you going?
My initial influence for papercuts were Rob Ryan and Peter Callensen. I loved the detailed and delicate designs of Ryan’s work and the 3D element of Callensen. The need to explore paper to its full potential keeps me going and as there are so many things you can do with paper I don’t think I will be stopping anytime soon! I have lots of ideas that I would like to try out. Once I create a design I like to see how many ways it can be reproduced in different contexts and how this affects the design. So far I have experimented with book covers, bookmarks, greeting cards, posters and notebooks and feel as though I have barely scratched the surface.
When designing a papercut, how do you consider the 'absent' space? Does light come into it or do you make a design and go with it?
When initially designing an idea I don't think about the space as I feel this limits my creativity. I start to think about the negative space in the design and how things connect, once I have my idea down on paper and that is the interesting part. If something needs to stay as part of the design I will tweak the design slightly, but it is only ever slightly needed.
How long does it take you to cut something intricate such as a spirograph design or lettering?
To actually cut an intricate spirograph design can take me about an hour depending on the size of the design. I find intricate pieces can be cut quicker if they are larger as no matter how detailed a design it is always easier to cut something on a larger scale. Lettering is the same, especially serif fonts as the added extra bits on a typeface are the bits that cause the most trouble as they are likely to get accidentally torn or ripped on a smaller scale.
What happens if something rips?
I start again! I always start with the most detailed, intricate parts of a paper cut, as this is where accidents are likely to happen, that way if something does rip I haven’t almost finished a design but only just started it.
Where do you source your paper? Do you use a specific weight or type to avoid ripping or wear and tear?
At the moment I source my paper at a local art shop and I use 150gsm Daler Rowney Canford paper at an A1 size. I buy the paper at this size so I can cut it down to the required measurements for each paper cut I create which are all usually either A4 or smaller, making sure I get my moneys worth out of the paper. At the moment I am looking for sources where I can buy paper in bulk as now I am doing this fulltime I need a more reliable, more economic source for paper.
Do you have any plans for future projects or anything you would like to share?
In the future I plan to experiment with getting my designs onto as many different paper products as possible, such as notebooks and greeting cards. I also created a series of typographic lampshades at University that I would like to develop to a professional standard.
How did you come up the name 'Mr Yen'?
I have always had an affinity with Japanese design and simplicity in the Japanese lifestyle which is where the ‘Yen’ part came from and the ‘Mr’ part was added as I felt it made it sound more friendly and approachable, while being professional.
When commissioned - what is your design method - do you draw your designs first and ok with the client, or do you go straight into cutting?
When I receive a commission for a paper cut I create initial ideas to show my client, which then get developed and altered to work for a paper cut – making sure all the bits that need to be connected to make the design work are all connected and this is then sent to the client for approval. Once the illustration is approved I start cutting the design. The illustration and the developmental stages are the most important bit, as this is where flaws will appear and can be rectified. Once a design is cut there is no going back, so I need to be sure about the whole design before I get out my scalpel.
You have only just graduated? How did you discipline yourself whilst studying? As a lecturer myself I know a lot of students find it hard to discipline themselves.
Having recently finished University I am now trying to keep myself in a routine to make sure everything that needs to be done gets done on time and as I am the only one to do it there is no one pushing or helping me to do everything, it is all about being self disciplined. I find that if you know the best times you feel creative you should take advantage of this, if that is in the early hours of the morning or late at night, go with it. To me this is one of the best parts of working as a freelance designer as I get to choose my hours and do certain types of work when I feel I will best get them done.
Check out Mr Yen at http://www.mr-yen.com/ or follow him on Twitter. You can also buy his paper cuts from his Etsy store
