PROCESS
The journey of creating this book began with a deep dive into the memoir of Paul Golbert, Pajar’s founder—a pivotal step in understanding the narrative from his perspective. This memoir served as a foundation, providing essential insights into the experiences and themes that would shape the book.
Establishing a clear methodology and vision was crucial. From the outset, we identified key themes and stories to guide our work. This was achieved through a series of interviews with family members, alongside in-depth research into the brand’s history. Gathering diverse viewpoints allowed us to create a multifaceted narrative.
Once we had our foundational stories, the real work began. We spent countless hours navigating through 60 years of archival material, meticulously organizing suitcases and boxes filled with photographs, albums, newspaper clippings, marketing reports, campaign imagery, and more. This archiving process was both challenging and essential, laying the groundwork for the book.
Next, we focused on the photography of various elements from the extensive archive. Our goal was to digitize and curate these images, transforming them into a cohesive visual narrative. This process required sifting through thousands of images and documents, revealing both the challenges and joys of uncovering a rich history.
Following this, journalist Marc Richardson conducted a series of interviews. These conversations were instrumental in enriching the narratives uncovered in the photographs, adding depth and personal anecdotes that complemented the visual elements.
Once the interviews were complete and the archive organized, it was time to tackle the book’s design. After all the preparation, this phase felt relatively effortless; in a sense, the book was already there. We simply needed to arrange the archive and stories in a digestible and aesthetically pleasing way.
Access to Paul Golbert’s memoir was invaluable. It not only provided context but also highlighted the stories that were significant to him. By understanding which narratives resonated with Paul, we were able to shape a book that honored his legacy.