(Writer's Note: This wasn't supposed to be a post, but the 'rarity' took me down that path. The most random and lackluster activities, such as cleaning up, spur some topics of discussion. In this case a recent studio clean up, which are regular, uncovered material for this article.)
A busy studio is a messy studio. A random, large, white envelope was found with letters and folded papers stuffed inside after a recent clean up. As the contents were laid out on the drafting table it was a trip down memory lane due to it being traditional, hand-written mail from customers.
I think the last time I hand wrote a detailed, multi-page letter was to a person that I was seeing while I was studying abroad in college in the late-90's. I've done post cards and Holiday cards ever since, but those, to me - respectfully - don't count. These customer letters had me stop and carefully remember what was common, back then while the business was growing at an early stage.
As I kept on looking at these the thought, or wonder, of 'penmanship' was on my mind. Is that a lost art? How about carefully crafting and communicating your message and not having to 'erase', or hit the backspace button? What about stamps, or going to the post office to buy them, or dropping it in the outgoing box? While these customers thanked me with traditional snail-mail, I realized their message would be considered today, in web and modern business terms: customer testimonials.
In a digital world where information is lightening quick, quickness was gained. Unfortunately, and selfishly we expect it to be that way. These traditional and personal letters from people are reminders of just that: personality. And sometimes, with all the quickness, and impatience, we feel that personality is lost. I think that should be the lesson?
Maybe I should write some one a letter? I think I may have an envelope somewhere? And how much is a stamp these days? But most of all, if I only still had an updated book of mailing addresses, instead of emails? What's that saying: something gained, something lost, right?
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