After years of freelancing as a graphic designer Justine Fahd recently took the plunge and started an online stationery shop, Upon A Fold. And it's made quite an impact since launching only a month or so ago. That's partly due to the beautiful ranges she stocks, and also thanks to her gorgeous blog.
Which five words best describe you? In the pursuit of happiness.
What was your first career job and what path have you taken since? It came quite late as I spent the first part of my 20s waitressing whilst trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I went travelling for a while and during that time I stayed with a friend who was a graphic designer. I loved what she did and wanted to do the same so I came back home, got a job in an art supplies store and studied graphic design at Enmore Tafe. Upon completion I landed my first graphic design job in a small studio in Crows Nest where I discovered rather quickly (3 months) that I did not really enjoy being in the same place everyday so I decided freelancing was more for me. It allowed me to move around and work on a variety of design jobs and this kept things interesting. So I freelanced for about 8 years, mostly within the magazine industry, the whole time dreaming of one day opening my own paper shop. Last year I decided it was time to give this paper shop dream a go and uponafold.com.au was created.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? If something doesn’t feel right, change it!
What’s your proudest career achievement? That would have to be Upon a Fold. I feel happy with myself for chasing my dream (telling my fears to bugger off) and making it happen. It took a while but I got there eventually.
What’s been your best decision? Dropping out of my Science degree (what was I thinking??) to pursue a more creative career.
Who inspires you? At the moment it’s the folded forms from Origata – a folding design institute in Japan.
What are you passionate about? Paper (of course!), breakfast, lunch & dinner, footy, design, quiet time, fairness, blue sky and being happy.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Far too many to choose from but I’ll say the amazing Gita Sahgal (writer, director and human rights campaigner for over three decades) oh and Miss Prissy from David LaChapelle’s ‘Rize’ so she can teach me how to Krump ; )
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Well I have a few but the one I’m thinking about most at the moment is one day opening a real life ‘Upon a Fold’ shop with a gallery inside. A place where paper artists could exhibit their work and paper lovers can come to visit for inspiration and a little retail paper therapy too.
What are you reading? Tokyo by Tokyo by Claska because I’m heading to Tokyo next month!
images upon a fold
