Talk Paper Scissors

Talk Paper Scissors

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Talk Paper Scissors episodes

  • Tinker with Allison Mackenzie

    In this first episode back after the summer break, you’ll hear from multidisciplinary creative and community-builder, Allison MacKenzie about her brainchild called Tinker*.

    You’ll hear about the ways that it’s an interdisciplinary, iterative, low-stakes and high community environment. We talk about imperfection, vulneratibility and experimentation and Ally shares stories of Tinkerers in action. We get into the traps of social media and Ally’s big goals for the space.

    Finally, we end with a discussion of the 4 P’s we’re both working to cultivate in our respective spaces:  projects, passion, peers and play (aka Lifelong Kindergarten!).  

    Join Tinker in Toronto’s Annex this fall: September 19, October 3 & October 17

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    31 min
  • XR Possibilities in Publishing with Immersive Technology Specialist, Michael Carter-Arlt

    This is the sixth episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet Immersive Technology Specialist, Michael Carter-Arlt.

    In this conversation, you’ll hear the ways in which Michael’s print background informs his work in immersive technologies and the bridging of these two worlds. You’ll hear about XR technologies (including the differences between Augmented Reality [AR], Virtual Reality [VR] and Mixed Reality [MR]). Finally you’ll learn more about the specific ways that Michael envisions the use of XR and the possibilities for the publishing industry. 

    Images and videos discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.


    This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    48 min
  • Techno, Type, Zines and Chaos with Dominic Ayre

    This is the fifth episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet Creative Director and zine designer publisher, Dominic Ayre. The conversation focusses around a single question (“What is Do Not Xray zine?”) and Dom takes us on a wonderfully passionate and techno-filled deep dive about his upbringing, early hip-hop, and graffiti leading to his current space of creativity, professional publications and zine culture. Music lovers, typography lovers, zine lovers… this episode is for you.

    Images discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.

    This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.


    #Magazines #TalkPaperScissors 

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    1 hr 10 min
  • Sharing Stories in All Shapes and Sizes (Books, Magazines and Podcasts) with Angela Misri

    This is the fourth episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet award-winning journalist, author and educator, Angela Misri. You’ll hear about Angela’s career path in different media spaces: in print, in audio and on the web. You’ll hear specific examples related to telling stories in added value ways; the why and the how of telling the same story differently across mediums.

    You’ll also hear about the shifts that Angela’s seen in the last 20 years in publishing industry, and what parts of journalism Angela believes are most at risk from AI domination. You’ll also hear what Angela believes we’ll be talking about in a year’s time when it comes to AI and journalism.

    This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    53 min
  • Digital Reading Experiences with Alyssa Andino of Rakuten Kobo

    This is the third episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet digital reading expert, Alyssa Andino. you’ll learn more about what Alyssa’s role entails and more about digital reading experiences, including what works and what doesn’t work. You’ll learn about the ways that Alyssa and her team are thinking of the reading experience beyond fonts (size, style and colour).

    You’ll hear tips for using Adobe InDesign effectively to consider both the print experience and the digital reading experience (your future self will thank you for it!) and you’ll learn more about accessibility features Alyssa must consider in the app she manages. Finally, Alyssa and I brainstorm what digital reading might look like as technology advances.

    This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    42 min
  • Designing Long Documents with Graphic Designer, Yas Fakhr

    This is the second episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet graphic designer, Yas Fakhr. You’ll hear Yas’ process for creating long documents and the very best book design and printing geekery between she and Diana. You’ll hear Yas’ advice for what new designers should consider at various stages in the long document design process. You’ll learn Yas’ thoughts on grids, including when to make them and when to break them, as well as what’s on Yas’ Adobe InDesign wish list. Finally, we dive into the murky waters of AI in the design space and how Yas has seen it used effectively and ethically among she and her colleagues.

    Images discussed in the episode can be found in the show notes at talkpaperscissors.info.

    This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    51 min
  • Setting Magazine Precedent with Daniel Fish, Editor of Precedent Magazine

    This is the first episode in a 6-part magazine mini series. Here you’ll meet Daniel Fish, Editor of Precedent, a career and lifestyle magazine for lawyers. In this conversation, you’ll learn about Precedent, including the journey that Daniel and his team embark on with each issue, including a discussion of Daniel’s ‘print brain’ and how he’s shifting gears to a fully-online publication.

    You’ll hear what it’s really like to be an Editor and how it’s similar and different from the way magazine Editorial roles are portrayed in popular culture. Also, you’ll hear what role Daniel feels is missing in smaller magazine teams and why it’s such a loss.

    We talk AI, including what it’s really good at in the magazine space and what it can’t currently replicate. Finally, you’ll hear what Daniel continues to be excited about in the realm of magazines and journalism-at-large.

    This episode is part of a guest lecture series in CGCM 720 Magazine Production & Publishing, as well as DG 8111 Digital Publishing in The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. A special shout out to Master of Digital Media student, Crystal Chan, for her loyal listenership and fantastic questions towards the end!

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    51 min
  • Ungrade Upgrade with Ryan Kough

    Today’s guest is Ryan Kough, a neurodivergent artist and design educator who focuses on participatory community-driven design initiatives. She is an avid ungrading advocate and in this discussion, she and Diana share their experiences and reasons why they believe ungrading is an amazing framework for a diverse group of learners. 

    The two discuss the magic of student agency, true experiential learning and facilitating opportunities that shape the students and the educators who participate. Ryan shares the ways in which community-engaged learning and ungrading can be interwoven. You’ll hear how Ryan establishes a final grade and how she handles fair work share amongst a group, sharing the practical application of shifting away from classroom control and breaking down hierarchical structures to ensure all voices know they have equal merit.

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    1 hr 18 min
  • PopUp Workshop!

    In this episode, Diana shares an exciting new initiative that she’s adding to the Talk Paper Scissors space.

    Introducing PopUp Workshop: Where creative work meets play! ✨

    You’ll hear about 4 workshops that can be facilitated both in-person and virtually, locally and globally. 

    • Playful Printing
    • Improv for Innovators
    • Friends with Failure
    • Custom Speaking + Workshops

    Here’s to the next 200 episodes and brand new in-person workshops! 

     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    9 min
  • The End II

    In this final episode in the series, Diana reflects on 9 different responses to 7 questions about storytelling through art and design, discussing 3 emergent themes.

    • 3D Environment Artist @nanoshades
    • Drag Artist & Professor of Creativity @guy.anabella
    • Visual Note Taker @inkfactorystudio
    • Brand Identity Designer @carla.palette
    • Singer-Songwriter-Producer @barbralica
    • Visual Artist & Writer @britchida
    • Tattoo Artist @soot.tattoo 
    • Author & Teacher @recessmagic
    • Breathwork Facilitator & Writer @aribeing

    This is the Art and Design of Storytelling.✨ 


     Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)



    16 min

About Talk Paper Scissors

From the publisher's feed

Join host, Diana Varma, as she explores the wonderful world of design and printing, typography and branding, books and publishing. Diana loves nothing more than getting creative with Creatives…

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