iA Notebook

A prototype was built and tested, then the design was adapted until it worked. This is a very simplified version of the iterative approach taken by iA’s creative team. The company produces software for texts and presentations, and the iA Notebook was originally intended to be a gift for customers that, like the app, focuses on written text. The idea was to create a notebook that is absolutely purist and serves the sole purpose of emphasising the beauty of the written word. The team invested a great deal of time in the selection of the paper, extensively testing countless samples with various writing implements and inks. Not only did the paper have to win over people to embrace the art of writing; it was also important that watermarks could be integrated, as the designers wanted to dispense with printing. The original plan was to work with lines that would not ultimately be printed, but in the finished product the watermarks fulfil this function. As the user writes, the watermarks are initially clearly visible, but then fade to near invisibility when the page is filled with text, letting the words take centre stage. The creative team ultimately selected a high-quality Japanese paper, “with an off-white colour and soft feel that foster a natural sense of well-being,” noted the jury with approval. At 81 g/sqm, the paper is light and pages turn easily, yet it is robust enough to produce good results even when felt-tip and fountain pens are used. The creative team also looked for a binder solution that would optimise the writing process. They opted for a lay-flat binding where, as the name indicates, the book lies entirely flat and the writer can use the whole double-page spread without being distracted by the binding. An embossed sleeve serves as the cover and the notebook is packaged in a wooden box, making it obvious that the iA Notebook was designed as a gift. The jury was captivated by the notebook’s simple elegance and craftsmanship, and it praised the courage to produce this kind of product. Appreciation for the written word is expressed in every detail.