Inspirational Consumer: April 2007
Norman Nimer
Norman Nimer runs Rhodia Drive, a blog devoted to all things Rhodia. He shares his thoughts with us about his love for the bright orange pads and offers some insight on how Rhodia can serve its community better.
Lovemarks: Tell us about your first encounter with Rhodia.
Norman Nimer: I first heard of Rhodia from mentions in various blogs. I was drawn to the orange cover, which, aside from personal preference, stands out from my work clutter. A friend in the US gave me my first notepad back when I was still in the Philippines, and I bought new ones when I moved to New York.
LMKS: Why do you think Rhodia is a Lovemark?
NN: Since I don’t use a PDA, Rhodia notepads have become one of my most useful tools as a graphic designer for general note-taking, idea exploration, and simple doodling. The pocket-sized ones are very handy when inspiration strikes just about any time and anywhere. I still use other notebooks for personal journaling and creating artwork, but for my daily workhorse, it’s a Rhodia.
LMKS: What is it about Rhodia products that impress you?
NN: The paper is smooth and opaque, and the notepad itself is very usable. The scored cover wraps around the edges perfectly once opened, and the microperforation makes for easy tearing. The hard pad backing works well with uneven or less firm surfaces. It’s also a major plus that Rhodia comes from a company that creates other impressive writing/art/craft products.
LMKS: What is the idea behind your blog, Rhodia Drive?
NN: I wanted to find out more about these orange notepads and share journaling, or art-related concerns, with other Rhodia users out there.
LMKS: Through running Rhodia Drive, what have you learned about the Rhodia community?
NN: I’m still quite new to this and currently touching base with other users, but judging from the e-mails, most of the members of the community are notebook users who use Rhodia notepads more for everyday use than for personal journaling. I could say that from their statements, a Rhodia notepad makes its home in the work desk than in a locked bedside table.
LMKS: If you could provide Rhodia with some advice, what would it be?
NN: For the product, I’d like to see a bound notebook; the hardcover saddle-stitched type you can use for personal journaling, maybe one with horizontal elastic (less wear and tear than a vertical one). And for the community, more dealers/distributors nationwide and internationally, and consequently for online dealers, a partner store pickup program.
LMKS: Name 5 other Lovemarks.