Decemberzegels: Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps
(Image credit: Tord Boontje)
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London-based designer Tord Boontje’s shimmering botanic aesthetic has graced collections from chairs for Porto Romana to lighting for Swarovski. The romance and joy of his naturally organic and poetically-inclined style is once again celebrated in his latest festive commission for the Netherlands post office, a set of 10 stamp designs for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The designs are made up of innocent illustrations of wildlife and humans, all interacting amongst rural festive backdrops. Reminiscent of a more traditional and childhood Christmas tale, the designs appear in unconventionally festive tones of black and blue mixed with reds and whites, all encompassing a communicative feel. ‘I intentionally opted for a few animals that aren’t usually associated with December; for example a swallow, which you won’t see here in December, as they spend their winters in Africa,’ explains Boontje, ‘it’s symbolic and in this way the stamps also refer to those who can’t be here during the festive season.’

This symbolism is enriched through the animations available for each of the stamps forming the small stories. Included in the collection are narratives of a rabbit jumping up to a deer, or a swallow landing on a reindeer's back while a fox is embracing a kitten in its fur. These tales take place among the twisting snowflakes and swaying trees, all curvaceously formed with a modern and artistic pastoral theme.

Boontje’s narrative designs are now available from post offices in the Netherlands throughout December, spreading the warmth and spirit of the holidays. 'My aim was to create a festive feeling without the normal Christmas cliches,’ the designer reiterates. (That won't stop us from thinking of Boontje as Father Christmas, mind.) 

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

The range of 10 designs narrate small innocent stories of interactions between wildlife and humans

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

The London-based designer has used unconventionally festive tones of black and blue mixed with reds and whites

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

Each design encompasses a communicative feel amongst rural festive backdrops

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

The small animated stories include a swallow landing on a reindeers back while a fox is embracing a kitten in its fur

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

‘I intentionally opted for a few animals that aren’t usually associated with December; for example a swallow, which you won’t see here in December, as they spend their winters in Africa’ explains Boontje...

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

...‘it’s symbolic and in this way the stamps also refer to those who can’t be here during the festive season’

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

The collection is reminiscent of traditional and childhood Christmas tales

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

These tales take place among the twisting snowflakes and swaying trees

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

The illustrations are emblematic of Boontje’s shimmering botanic aesthetic, all curvaceously designed with a modern and intricately artistic pastoral theme

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

‘My aim was to create a festive feeling without the normal Christmas cliche’ the designer reiterates

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

Tord Boontje designs narrative festive stamps

Boontje’s narrative designs are now available from post offices in Netherlands throughout the holiday month

(Image credit: Tord Boontje)

INFORMATION

December stamps, €12.80, available from post offices across the Netherlands. For more information, visit the Tord Boontje website

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Sujata Burman

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences. 

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