Are Enamel Pins the New Business Cards for Emerging Designers?

For graphic designers whose work exists primarily in digital or 2D environments, finding innovative, tangible ways to reach new audiences can be difficult.

Sure, designs translate well onto T-shirts or posters, even tote bags; but really, how many tote bags can one person own before things start to feel like an episode of Hoarders: Design Merch Edition? That’s why a new trend has led many designers to think small and get in the #pingame.

Words:

Enamel pin design by Cou Cou Suzette

Enamel pin design by Cou Cou Suzette

If you’re familiar with this hashtag, you know it’s the key to navigating online collections of candy colored enamel pins designers and illustrators are currently selling. And like your favourite confection, it’s pretty hard to buy just one. Designs range from cute and kitschy to surreal and somber, and with a price point of around $10, it’s a guilt-free way to indulge in your favourite artist’s work that might not otherwise fit your budget. But is low cost really the only reason pins are suddenly in demand?

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Posted on Sep 2nd, 16 by | Twitter: @lisahassell

Founder & director of Inkygoodness, Lisa is a published writer and arts journalist, focusing on creative business, graphic art and illustration and design education. Her words regularly appear in Computer Arts, Creative Bloq, Digital Arts and IdN.

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