Based in Brooklyn, New York is the founder of PAPER+CUP DESIGN, Minhee Cho. PAPER+CUP DESIGN is a studio she established in 2003 that has since become known for its distinctive approach to stationary, personalized goods and design rooted in fine art. With a background in painting and graphic design, Cho’s work draws inspiration from both meaningful life moments and familiar experiences, from shared meals to travel adventures. Her colorful, layered style reflects a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and the art of everyday life, an influence shaped by her studies in the United States and abroad in Bordeaux, France. Over the past two decades, her designs have been featured in major publications such as The New York Times and Martha Stewart Weddings, and she has collaborated with global brands including Netflix, Neiman Marcus and Anthropologie.
This interview explores Cho’s creative philosophy, her balance between art and functionality and the evolving practice behind PAPER+CUP DESGIN, highlighting how art can become a meaningful expression that resonate across cultures.
The following are excerpts from an email interview with Cho from January 9 to 30.
1.Please introduce yourself to the readers.
I am a Korean American artist and graphic designer living in Brooklyn, New York. I find inspiration in the moments we experience—whether it’s traveling to new places for adventure or enjoying intimate conversations around the dinner table. These moments, both grand and simple, shape my work. My style is colorful, loose, and layered with subtle details, capturing the essence of these experiences. For me, art is about connection—evoking emotions, sparking memories, and creating work that resonates with others, inviting them to experience their own moments of nostalgia and joy.
I studied art throughout high school and earned a BFA in Painting from UCLA. Later, I continued my art studies abroad in Bordeaux, France, where I developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, fine stationery, and the art of everyday life. After college, I moved to New York to study graphic design, which led me to open PAPER+CUP DESIGN in 2003. For over 20 years, I’ve specialized in stationery and design. What started as letterpress greeting cards grew into custom stationery, personalized gifts, and accessories often incorporating my fine art paintings. My work has been recognized in publications such as The New York Times, Domino, Lucky, and Inc. Magazine. In 2006, my wedding was featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, which inspired my transition into invitation design. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many wonderful brands and companies on special projects and licensed work such as Netflix, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie etc. I authored two books on paper crafting and wedding inspiration with Chronicle Books—Paper+Craft (2009), published before the rise of social media platforms like Pinterest, and Weddings in Color (2015), which continued to inspire both traditional and digital audiences.
2.Through PAPER+CUP DESIGN, your work balances functionality with artistic expression. How do you navigate the line between creating usable objects and creating art?
Differentiating as an artist and designer has been challenging at times. I create art for the pure sake of the experience and self-expression. However, as a business owner for my design company, I have to always keep in mind what will be attractive to buyers. It is often like having two personalities. In order to not lose my true artist style and expression, I make it a priority to paint just for myself with no rules or deadlines. From there, I often get inspiration for what can possibly become a collection that is marketable.
3.Looking back at your creative journey, how has your practice evolved since the early days of PAPER+CUP, and what has remained constant in your artistic philosophy?
My initial line of products was all digital designed on the computer, but hand printed on a vintage letterpress. I kept my fine art to custom projects and clients and didn’t bring it into my collections until many years later. Whether it is digitally designed or hand-painted, my goal is to share a bit of nostalgia and evoke feelings of memory and familiarity that can be shared universally. Art to me is a universal language that needs no words for us to connect and understand.
4.Are there any new projects, materials, or directions you are currently exploring or hope to explore in the future?
I recently finished my first large scale window painting for a new cafe in Seoul and absolutely loved the experience. I would love to explore doing more in-store and public space projects. I also purchased a set of Gouache and excited to learn a new medium this year.
At the heart of Minhee Cho’s work lies a quiet yet powerful belief: that art does not need to need to be distant or complex to be meaningful. Whether through stationary, paper-based design or large-scale public projects, her practice consistently returns to themes of nostalgia, familiarity and emotional connection. By sharing her art, Cho invites viewers to pause, reflect and reconnect with their own memories. Her journey illustrates how art and design can coexist harmoniously, enriching daily life while transcending language and cultural boundaries.
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