<p>Claudia Smith is the Designer + Proprietress of <a href="http://www.fig2design.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fig. 2 Design Studio</a>, which swept into National Stationery Show in 2011 like a small, rather chic tornado — setting the industry on edge, and she really hasn&#8217;t really slowed down since. The posh house offers both ready-to-wear pieces like notecards and gift wrap as well as couture custom invitations, all meticulously designed and crafted, and all living up to the tagline&#8217;s promise, &#8220;correspondence for the well addressed.&#8221;</p>
<p>Claudia is one of my favorite designer profiles that I&#8217;ve written at Stationery Trends — it ran in our <a href="https://stationerytrends.com/magazine/summer-2012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">summer 2012 issue</a> — and then we used a photograph of her monogram series of copper foil-stamped correspondence cards for the cover of our Spring 2013 issue — you can see it <a href="https://stationerytrends.com/magazine/summer-2013/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here </a>— when we unrolled an extensive redesign. <em>That</em> is one of my favorite covers to date — and actually, our team had a very hard time deciding on a cover for the <em>following</em> issue, as we felt it was a really hard act to follow.</p>
<p>Fig. 2&#8217;s invitations suites are the stuff that dreams are made of, I am sharing just one here, from The Fresh Collection, called Nothing But Fireworks. It&#8217;s shown in digital printing with silver foil (though other printing methods are available), with honey + mint julep inks and marshmallow and silver envelopes. Colors are customizable as well.</p>
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<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7263" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/figure2.jpg" alt="Figure2" width="618" height="451" /> From her grab-and-go offerings, I love Fig. 2&#8217;s giftwraps — I&#8217;m a bit partial to the bowtie designs you see below — and foil stamped thank-you sets with pastel envelopes. They add a perfect chic touch to baby showers — and add pizzazz to any occasion</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7253" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fig21234.jpg" alt="Fig21234" width="618" height="927" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7258" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fig2112.jpg" alt="Fig2112" width="618" height="412" /></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7261" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fig21222.jpg" alt="Fig21222" width="618" height="927" /></p>
<p>With a repoitoire like this, the honor is all mine to ask Claudia TPC&#8217;s Five Questions.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft wp-image-7264" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fig2.jpg" alt="Fig2" width="250" height="232" />1. SS: How did you get into this crazy business?</p>
<p>CS: My background is in graphic design so it was a good fit but I never thought I would end up with a wholesale business. Once I left my full time job at a local design firm, I really planned on continuing as a freelance graphic designer and thought I might do some stationery (mainly wedding invitations at the time) on the side. I contacted a local bridal boutique, and when we met, they encouraged me to start a wedding album. Two years later, that ended up turning into a full wholesale line of paper goods which now includes boxed sets, greeting cards, and gift wrap (and new items in 2014!).</p>
<p>2. SS: Are there any design or lifestyle trends you are finding yourself particularly intrigued with these days?</p>
<p>CS: I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll ever tire of calligraphy. My first set of greeting cards included a series with calligraphy, and I knew then it was something I would want to keep in the line always. I love all forms of type, but calligraphy is so special and unique and can convey emotion more than any typeface I know of. I&#8217;ve been so fortunate to work with some truly gifted calligraphers and I don&#8217;t take it for granted. They are incredible artists!</p>
<p>3. SS: What letter, card or invitation first comes to mind as the best you&#8217;ve ever received?</p>
<p>CS: It&#8217;s a tie. When I first launched my design business, I sent little promo packets out to perspective clients and friends and family, including my parents. In the package there was a post card the recipient could check off if they wanted to learn more info or send a comment. My dad mailed the card back with a really nice note saying how proud he was. It was really sweet and I&#8217;ll treasure it always. A close second is when my 6-year-old niece drew me a picture last year as my birthday card and I love it. It&#8217;s a picture of the two of us and we have matching outfits and hair. It&#8217;s taped on the wall in the studio and it just makes me smile every time I see it. The hair style is probably the funniest part!</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter wp-image-7262" src="http://thepaperchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/fig221.jpg" alt="Fig221" width="618" height="800" /></p><div class="inline-post clearfix"><div class="see-also byline">See also</div><div id="block-wrap-55227" class="block-wrap-native block-wrap block-wrap-23 block-css-55227 block-wrap-classic columns__m--1 elements-design-3 block-ani block-skin-0 tipi-box block-wrap-thumbnail ppl-m-1 clearfix" data-id="55227" data-base="0"><div class="tipi-row-inner-style clearfix"><div class="tipi-row-inner-box contents sticky--wrap"><div class="block block-23 clearfix"><article class="tipi-xs-12 clearfix with-fi ani-base tipi-xs-typo split-1 split-design-1 loop-0 preview-thumbnail preview-23 elements-design-3 post-5972 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-celebrations category-the-five-questions tag-kenrocam tag-design-design tag-greeting-card-association tag-louie-awards tag-marcel-schurman tag-mindy-lockard tag-national-stationery-show tag-rifle-paper-co tag-stationery-trends tag-steve-doyal tag-susan-birnbaum tag-thank-you-thursday" style="--animation-order:0"><div class="preview-mini-wrap clearfix"><div class="mask"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/the-amazing-susan-birnbaum-thank-you-thursday/" class="mask-img"><img width="100" height="100" src="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=100%2C100&;ssl=1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-post-image" alt="" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=150%2C150&;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=200%2C200&;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=293%2C293&;ssl=1 293w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=75%2C75&;ssl=1 75w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=390%2C390&;ssl=1 390w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=585%2C585&;ssl=1 585w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=24%2C24&;ssl=1 24w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=48%2C48&;ssl=1 48w, https://i0.wp.com/thepapernerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EV14_GC_ThankYou-e1408809426560.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w" sizes="(max-width: 100px) 100vw, 100px" /></a></div><div class="meta"><div class="byline byline-2 byline-cats-design-4"><div class="byline-part cats"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/celebrations/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">Celebrations</a><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/category/the-five-questions/" style="color:#b79b0d" class="cat">The Five Questions</a></div></div><div class="title-wrap"><h3 class="title"><a href="https://thepapernerd.com/the-amazing-susan-birnbaum-thank-you-thursday/">The Amazing Susan Birnbaum &#038; Thank You Thursday!</a></h3></div><div class="byline byline-3"><span class="byline-part date"><i class="tipi-i-calendar" aria-hidden="true"></i> <time class="entry-date published dateCreated flipboard-date" datetime="2014-08-28T12:46:02+00:00">August 28, 2014</time></span><span class="byline-part likes-count"><a href="#" class="tipi-like-count " data-pid="5972"><span class="likes-heart"><i class="tipi-i-heart-o" aria-hidden="true"></i><i class="tipi-i-heart" aria-hidden="true"></i></span><span class="tipi-value">0</span></a></span></div></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></tipimidc>
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<p>4. SS: What are your three favorite paper lines aside from Fig. 2 Design Studio?</p>
<p>CS: I live and die for Russell+Hazel. We get a lot of our office supplies from them for obvious reasons, they are clean and simple but perfectly designed and have the perfect touch of color or pattern. We joke that I hoard their binders, which is sort of true really. I have eight of the mini binders and who knows how many of the large ones, but I just love their products. We use their adhesive notes, tab dividers, rubber bands, notebooks, you name it. Die hard fans here.</p>
<p>I love Pei Design because she has such a sweet aesthetic that matches her to a tee. Her work is really well thought out and executed, from the designs, to the branding, to the photography. She&#8217;s a great example of someone who is their brand.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sycamorestreetpress.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sycamore Street Press</a> is another fave. From their hand drawn patterns to their interesting color combinations, they have such a lovely grasp of folk-inspired graphics mixed with unexpected color palettes that makes everything they do look so fresh and new.</p>
<p>5. SS: Is there anything you do personally to keep letter-writing, card-sending and invitation using alive?</p>
<p>CS: I always, always, always send thank you notes. I&#8217;m not saying they go out within two days of receiving a gift or a kind gesture, but even late is better than never. Yes, sometimes I will text someone a quick thank you, but I always follow up with a hand-written note. A texted thank you does not take the place of a note. I once had an intern who texted me a thank you for her holiday gift, and I was so disappointed! If someone has the time to find you a gift or they&#8217;ve helped with something then I have the time to thank them in a worthwhile way.</p>


The Five Questions: Fig. 2 Design Studio’s Claudia Smith
