Wrapture Founder Chris Larson On Creating Outside Of Graphic Design, Fin de Siècle Inspirations, 1948 Films, And Showing Up For Yourself

Who is the one person, living or dead, in your profession who you most admire?

Kolomon Moser. He was part of the Vienna Secession at the turn of the 20th century. Now, we'd just call him a designer. But he created graphic art, furniture, housewares, tapestries, jewelry and more. He had a strong point of view and did so many different things with it.

I come from a graphic design background but I think that Moser is proof that these modern labels can be incredibly limiting. For a long time, I thought I couldn't do fine art or illustration or patterns because I was a graphic designer. I still don't work in a huge variety of media, but I think learning about Moser helped me see that I could be more varied and artful in my creations.

What have you seen lately that’s been inspiring?

The Red Shoes, the British film from 1948, based loosely on Hans Christian Anderson's story. It has this incredible section in the middle where the characters perform the ballet that we've seen them rehearsing for the first half of the movie. This section is very impressionistic, beautiful, and weird—the theater totally melts away.

I haven't watched a ton of film from that era, and I love it when I find something terrific that I have no frame of reference for—the special effects, dancing, and art direction were all pretty enchanting.

What are you excited about now?

Wrapture, my wrapping paper brand! I've enjoyed designing patterns for a really long time, but I felt like I didn't have a place to put the work. It's incredibly motivating to finally have a platform to share the work... not to mention the built-in deadlines involved with releasing new collections each season. Creating work that is meant to be ripped to shreds is a really good way to push through a lifelong perfectionist streak!

What’s your favorite desktop/office item?

I have some beautiful things at my workspace, but I'm quite tall, so anything that keeps my body happy during long hours at a desk/computer is invaluable. I've used a wacom tablet instead of a mouse since my early 20s. I had a massage the other day and the therapist said she couldn't tell if I was right or left handed, and I think it's because I never use a mouse—no wear and tear from that repetitive motion. I also have a kneeling chair that I'm obsessed with.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were 22?

I would tell my 22-year-old self  that it's ok to ask for help, and it's ok to go at your own pace. And I think I'd emphasize the importance of simply showing up for yourself in your creative practice—being more exploration-based and less outcome-based.

Our friend Sarah Sawyer brought Chris Larson’s inspiring quarterly editions of wrapping paper to our attention and we’re overjoyed that she did. Inspired by his experience selling fine paper in a stationary store, Wrapture delivers elegant new wrapping paper designs quarterly. Chris has worked as a designer and art director for a global beauty brand and has collaborated in album art, logos and branding, fashion shows, and more.