A few weeks ago I was having a hard time trying to articulate my thoughts for a project that I’m doing when Richard came to the rescue by whipping out some little yellow cards from his creative arsenal.
There are two things you need to know about Artefact cards: they are expensive but indispensable. They are credit card sized cards which are yellow on one side and white on the other. You can write on both sides of them and they come with a Sharpie pen as those seem to be the only pen that works with them. Those pens smell good.
They come with an instruction manual with suggestions of how you might use them.
Since I got my own set, I have used them more or less daily. I’ve been using them for anything I’d normally use a Post-it note for. I find Post-it notes eminently unsatisfying: they are not sticky enough to stick to a wall for more than thirty seconds but are sticky enough to collect bits of crap on. They are flimsy and impermanent and curl up annoyingly. Artefact cards on the other hand are sturdy and permanent, glossy and wonderfully tactile. And most importantly, you can shuffle them like a deck of cards and slide them around the table like a magician and so it is easy to try out your ideas in different combinations.
I have used these a few times at work now to illustrate my thinking and whenever I pull them out people are agog and curious. I see people eyeing them up like Golem with that stupid ring. I even had one woman ask if she could take my ‘presentation’ away with her. Which just illustrates what I’ve always known, that people who work in banks are starved of creativity and will grab it greedily with both hands whenever it crosses their paths. Especially when it’s such a perfect concoction of creativity and organisational geekery.
I have a set of cards stuck on the wall by my bed with washi tape. I have one card for each project or commitment that I’m working on (11 currently, ugh). Each night when I go to bed I have a cursory look to see if there is anything that is slipping, anything that needs attention, and I rearrange them. I find this works really well for me and helps to seal some ideas in brain to percolate overnight. It’s definitely helped me focus.
They are brilliant to use as as shopping lists and, because they they are credit card sized, they fit neatly in your wallet.
I’ve used them to knock up some ideas for wedding invitations to give to Gemma. (I know that’s only half an announcement, more on this soon.)
Arthur’s written some ideas of what one can use them for. To be honest I’m not convinced.
Something about these cute little cards makes work more creatively. I’ve found myself drawing shopping maps rather than writing lists, using more squiggles and doodles to make notes rather than just writing. When I started using them I only used the white sides. It felt wrong to use the yellow side which just shows how hard I have to work to undo the left brain supremacy I have gained after fifteen years of indoctrination from the financial services industry.
I am totally and utterly smitten with these cards and am finding new ways to use them every day. They retail at £18.50 for two boxes (including the Sharpie) and I was originally going to write that they’re too dear but actually, there are 90 cards in each box so it they work out around ten pence per card. I’ve had them a month and have used them in anger and haven’t even got half way through one box yet so I think they will last a long time.
You can buy them at the Smithery online shop, where you can also find lots of new creative ideas for how to use them.
These look mega interesting. Love the orange colour. I am v. tempted to order them but am on a self imposed consumer lockdown.
I remember seeing you use these and yes like Golem followed them mesmerised so I just bought a trial pack and hope that they help me get even one single idea or notion out of my head – Thanks Birdy xx
Aren’t they, and forgive my American ignorance, just index cards? That happen to be yellow? Whatever works for your creative process, by all means, indulge! But I have to pat the maker of these on the back for being so brilliant and entrepreneurial. You could buy a box of 500 for $2.99 here, only they’re lined on one side and aren’t yellow. And I suppose they don’t come with a special sharpie. But they’re cheap! I do love the way you hung them with washi tape, though. Washi tape makes everything wonderful, doesn’t it? I’m weird though and refuse to use mine. I have airmail striped tape that I can’t bring myself to use!
And I love your little wedding invitation ideas. xoxo
Erin recently posted..Two Of A Kind
What a splendid idea – thank you so much for sharing it! xxx
I loathe post-its, too – mine are currently hiding under various books on my desk, having dropped off the surfaces they were not quite adhering to. Harrumph!
£18.50 sounds perfectly reasonable to me for something that is reusable, indispensable for the multitasker AND with a yummy shade of yellow on the back – sold!!!
Chi @ 106 recently posted..Popville
P.S. VERY intrigued by your fun wedding plans.
xo
Chi @ 106 recently posted..Popville
I think that must be one of my favourite posts of yours.
I love that they help you focus, that they facilitate your creativity and keep you (eek 11) projects in check. They are fun, interactive and even the kids use them.
What most people fail to see is that it’s NEVER about money. It’s about what facilitates us moving from A to B and helps us to become the best we can. A lot of people (including your good self) do not flinch at spending £10 on a cocktail but will jump at the price of these (with the exception of your good self).. I say make them £100 if they serve a good purpose and, in your case, they clearly do.
I’ve not heard about them before but am completely smitten. So guess what, yes, I will order them at the totally acceptable price of £18.50 and consider it money well spent.
PS. Excited to hear wedding plans are being hatched….
Good and inspiring post Bird!!
tina @colourliving recently posted..a day in snowy london
LOL! You always crack me up. I guess why get Ninja weapon when these artefact cards are just as lethal? 90 cards for £18.50 works out pretty reasonably considering I only get 10 notelets with envelopes from Smythson for a pound more when they go on sale at 40% off!
Marlene @ chocolatecookiesandcandies recently posted..Layering for Winter Months
“wiping bum holes” & “slicing into necks”… oh to be a kid again! i love it!… & i love that you’re always dipping & diving into systems that help you work more effectively… i need to try this as i get overtaken with paralysis when i have too many thoughts invading my mind… i love this notion… & i hate post-its… great post
sue recently posted..game changers {the birthday lamp}…
ooo love these! I was hatching a plan with Sam over the weekend that involved printing things out and sticking to post it notes/blue tacking so they could be moved around. These would be so much better and gorgeous too.
I love the photo of them on the wall with the washi tape, I bought a whole set over a year ago and I’ve not used them yet…
Exciting news abou the wedding plans, can’t wait to see what the talented Gemma comes up with for the invitations
xx
Kelly @designlint recently posted..Christmas and some exciting news!
As soon as I’m done here, I will be hopping over to check these cards out. My current system consists of Post-It notes. They lay on my desk and affixed around the perimeter of my computer; I’m surrounded by them! I also keep a journal, a paper calendar, and notes on my iPhone. I’m willing to try anything new that gets me more organized and allows me to carry a thought/idea through to fruition. Thanks for the tip, Annie!
PS~Arthur has a wicked sense of humor.
PPS~Oh, I’m completely intrigued by your invite hint.
Theresa recently posted..{at this moment: what matters most}
I like this system way, way better than post it notes. I actually like anybody’s system, actually. And the washi tape *is* brilliant! Are they really reusable? Cause that part I’m not quite getting…but still! LOVE!
Love Arthur’s unique take on things! Great idea from R on this one and I’m so glad it’s working for you. I don’t know anyone that has as many projects on the go as you do my dear
x
Sam Lennie recently posted..Design Services
I am a complete sucker for cool stationery and for organising things so I’m totally coveting these right now! Thanks for sharing. Am off to get myself a pack!
I think Arthur’s card beats everything-hands down-kids-you’ve gotta love ‘em!!! These are rather fabulous-you cant beat a bit of Artefact. As for post-its-collecting crap is the most observant comment ever made about them-time we moved on-they were a great invention, but on to pastures new… I saw something along a similar vein last week which I’m going to try and get hold of and post about…. We need to catch up really properly when we next meet! Caroline xx
caroline @trend-daily recently posted..Styling Details…
Hello all – my name’s John, I’m the person responsible (yep, all the good and all the bad) for the Artefact Cards. I thought I’d say thank you to Annabel for such a wonderful write up, and also to all of you who’ve commented, and most of you who’ve bought a box too (I’m hoping they should all be with you by now?).
Funnily enough, I’m sitting here at the moment with a roll of washi tape, having ordered one when I first read Annabel’s post. It’s AMAZING stuff, and until now I had no idea it existed. As Annabel siad to me, one of “Women’s secret things!”
Anyway, I work in a similar sort of area to Richard, so understand how people use the Artefact Cards in the sorts of work we’d typically do, but I’m always really interested in how people who use them for different types of work. It helps me think about different applications, new experiements, and how to put together the seasonal ones (we’ve just released the Winter Ice Blue Graph ones – we do a special box every quarter).
I’d love to hear how any of you get on, please drop me an email at “john AT smithery.co” and let me know.
And thank you all (especially Annabel) again.
Thanks for including Arthur’s card – just made getting on top of my emails at midnight (after a month of neglect due to moving into apartment) much more amusing!!
Love Arthur’s creative genius! x
Gemma Milly recently posted..Emerald Wedding
Pingback: the creative process - meet john v willshire » colourliving colourliving