New Year’s greeting
Reminiscent of a time
when useful information
was transmitted
on a matchbook cover,
this 3 x 3 1/2 -inch promotional
piece from
Crosby Associates is actually
a notepad within
a wrapround folder.
Just as on a real
matchbook, the piece
is held in place with a
single staple, set back
enough to allow the
“cover” to be slipped
beneath the fold.
The front flap of the
piece, which is plain
white except for a
Crosby Associates
logo, opens to reveal
an array of colorful
squares that spell out
the holiday message.
The contrast of the
stark front cover to
the multicolored interior
is engaging, but
perhaps even more so
is the striker pad on
the reverse side, which
has been printed to
look “used.”
Art director Bart
Crosby explains that
the concept “just kind
of evolved. It started
with the inside design,
then the cover, but it
seemed a shame to
have only a greeting
card as the result. The
matchbook idea happened
when I was at a
wedding where there
was a bowl of matchbooks
near the door.”
Our adaptation of
the palette used on
Crosby’s piece maintains
its bright but
soothing tones—as
well-suited to brightening
spring spirits as
it is to the holidays.
