As part of our 30th birthday celebrations, we’re sharing a peek behind the scenes and introducing some of the people who help bring our products to life. Check out the Paperblanks30 tag for more special anniversary content!
Tell us a bit about yourself
Name: Coral Pharoah
When you joined the Paperblanks team: 2007
Role at Paperblanks: Masking images for the creation of dies and training new team members
Journal you’re currently using: Midi Fall Filigree Persimmon
What are you most passionate about?
My passions are art and politics.
In art I have a particular interest in line drawings, cartooning, painting and portraits. I am a bit of a politics hound and enjoy a lively conversation about what we are all working towards as a society and as a world. I have a big interest in people and what they think and why they think what they think. I guess I am a sociologist at heart.
Environmental issues are also important to me and I have almost always chosen to use a good bike over a car to get to where I need to go. Portugal is one of my favourite places that I have been to. It is a beautiful place and the people seem happy. What they have done socially with de-criminalizing drug use and helping rather than punishing people is inspiring to me.
What is your favourite Paperblanks cover art or product of all time, and why?
It is difficult to choose a favourite. If I have to choose I would say The New Romantics, Safavid Binding Art, Lang’s Fairy Books (Olive in particular), Lindau Gospels, The Queen’s Binding, Equinoxe and Venetian Mornings, to name a few. I am a big fan of our classic antique style books. The beauty of the golds and the history behind the bookmaking inspires me.
What is the first Paperblanks design you remember working on?
My first cover that I was given to work on was The New Romantics (Romantic Sensibility).
What makes you want to be a part of the Paperblanks team and help bring our products to the world?
I come from a family of artists and illustrators, from my great-grandfather who did oil paintings to my grandfather who illustrated men’s clothing ads in the 1930s to my son who likes to draw and make comics and all the cousins, siblings, nieces, nephews and parents in between. My son grew up on Paperblanks. He particularly loves the blank paged books which are perfect for illustrations. My mother drew her last self-portrait before she passed away in the Filigree Floral Ivory Grande (see photo below). These books have come to have so much meaning for me not only because they are beautiful but because of all the creativity of my family that has transpired within the pages.
What is one thing people might not know about Paperblanks the company?
For as long as I have been with Paperblanks they have always been and continue to be sensitive to how we can minimize any negative environmental impact that we may have on the planet. That is a real plus for me.
Where do you hope to see Paperblanks go over the next 30 years?
Aside from the beautiful journals and dayplanners, I am very excited about the new products we are making. I am stunned by the pencil case design. It is so pleasing and so easy to use. There are the bookmarks which I can’t get enough of and I will definitely be purchasing one of our canvas bags soon. With this kind of beauty and quality of design I have no doubt Paperblanks will thrive for generations to come.
Thanks for sharing and being a part of the Paperblanks family, Coral!
