Jerome Corgier is graphic designer from Paris who spends considerable time cutting and pasting three dimensional letters. The craft and artistry is both ambitious and enviable. On a recent visit to New York Corgier shared some insights into his process. His website is well worth a look too.
What prompted you to start making type from paper?I began using paper, because I’m becoming more and more a sculptor and working with materials (not only paper). The paper is very easy to manipulate (to cut, to fold, using different colors). This for me a real emotion.
How long does a letter – say the Q – take for you to complete?It depends if it is a personal project or a professional one. If its professional, 1 to 2 days; if it is personal research, much more because thinking about it takes a long time – one to two months, sometimes much more. When I know exactly what I want to do, I can do it very quickly.
What determines what style typeface you will make?Aie Aie Aie, very difficult question. The most precise answer is “the experience.” I’m testing, testing, and when I feel its the good way, then I do. When sculpting type, I use my graphic-education in another way than usually, and I don’t use it as a graphic designer. It’s not only rational (serif or without serif, which type, contrast), it’s visual sensation.
This is hard work. Any disasters ever occur?Haha! Yes it can happen! The worse is when you realize, when its done, that colors are wrong. Others disasters – destroyed paper, tea spots – offer me a new way to work.
