Our Putting Pen To Paper series, features different individuals & showcases what they use their favourite notebook for. It could be for to-do lists, sketching, design, song writing, illustrations, notes, daily gratitudes & everything in between. 

This month we went inside the notebook of Petra Ekborn, the Creative Director of Local Supply.

Occupation

I am the Creative Director for the Australian eyewear brand, Local Supply. We create timeless, sustainable eyewear with our own line, as well as some exciting collaborations with other Australian and International brands and personalities. I also run my own design studio and creative consultancy agency. My work strikes a great balance between creativity and business. I always feel stimulated and challenged and I really do love what I do.

Plain or Lined paper

I use a mix of plain and lined paper. Outside of being a designer, I’m also an avid journaler and I consider myself old school with regards to to-do lists and taking notes. I think there is nothing that can replace the feeling of pen to paper. The process of manually noting or jotting something down is also a process linked with committing something to memory and better processing of information.

When do you put pen to paper? 

I’m an early morning riser and journal most mornings. I’m often on the move splitting time between my home in Sri Lanka and my home in London (where my business is based). Prior to Covid I also travelled a lot for work. A morning ritual like journaling helps me feel grounded regardless of where I am. I will never travel anywhere without my journal and my sketchbook and a really good fountain pen.

Eyewear is a very technical product. The final drawings will always be realised with a computer but during the inspiration phases I will reach for pen and plain paper to do quick sketches of any detail or shape direction that might pop into my head.

What inspired the Pen to Paper in your images?

We are in the midst of planning the next season for Local Supply. This is an exciting time; starting fresh and thinking about strategy and initial direction for materials and shapes. It’s also a time filled with meetings with new and old collaborators. My notebook and sketchbook are always close at hand!

What does journaling look like to you/how do you journal? 

I free journal, so I don’t have a specific structure. Sometimes it’s a travel journal, sometimes it’s a to-do list. There might be the odd secret in there too. Luckily my handwriting is quite hard to read so I like to think my secrets are safe.

Feeling creative & want to put pen to paper yourself? Start here with Petra's favourite Notebook & follow Local Supply on Instagram here.