My first introduction to Jeff Archibald, co-founder of Paper Leaf Studios, was at Edmonton’s first WordCamp in 2011. He was one of the organizers and did a talk called “Typography and the State of the Web Today”. He was clearly a talented and experienced designer, and I got my first taste of the importance of typography.

Still going and growing half a decade later, WordCamp Calgary is proud to have Jeff back as a speaker in 2016. He previously appeared as a speaker in one of our sessions in 2012. We’re also very grateful to have his Edmonton-based design firm, Paper Leaf, as one of our sponsors for 2016.

You should definitely have a visit to Paper Leaf’s website. They have a number of nicely laid-out case studies in web design, app design, and more that talk about projects that they’ve worked on, the challenges each one presented, and how they met those challenges. They also highlight key project features.

We asked our sponsors to answer a number of questions. Here are some of Paper Leaf’s answers:

If Paper Leaf was a superhero, what would its super power be?

We’d basically be the superhero that swoops in, eats a remarkable amount of pastries, and then has to leave to have a nap because sugar. Didn’t say we’d be a good superhero.

What one key characteristic sets Paper Leaf apart from others in its industry?

We are definitely the only design & technology shop with a lot of tattooed white guys who wear plaid and black-rimmed plastic glasses. (I can attest to this. I don’t think there exists another shop anywhere that fits that description. -JS)

What three values are most important to the culture at Paper Leaf?

First is to put out remarkable work – that is, work that is worth making a remark. Second, have some damn fun while you do it and don’t take yourself too seriously. Third: alway ask how we can make something better.

How old is Paper Leaf’s oldest employee? How young is the youngest Paper Leaf employee?

Our oldest employee is Adam, a Project Manager, at 36 years old. Our youngest is Nathan, a developer, at 21 years old. Listening them talk about music is hilarious, and not only because Adam has to set aside his walker and turn up his hearing aid. (As someone who has been both 21 and 36, I’d make a comment, but my hip hurts. Thankfully, my Generation X vinyl collection gets me through it. -JS)

We’re grateful to have Paper Leaf’s support for WordCamp Calgary 2016. It’s because of generous sponsors like this that we’re now up to our fourth annual ‘Camp.

I leave you with the video suggested by Paper Leaf in response to our question, “What is Paper Leaf’s favourite YouTube video that is 20 seconds or less?” (Noting that this plaid-wearing, rule-breaking sponsor nominated a video that is 25 seconds long.