This Paper Player Is Designed to Transform Texture into Music

In the serene depths of Småland’s forests, Lessebo Paper has taken a bold step beyond sight and touch by exploring one, slightly odd question: how do embossed paper patterns sound? The result is Lessebo Paper Player – a device translating the silent elegance of paper into a captivating sound experience.

We’re familiar with how paper feels – the soft fragrance of wood and the rich expression of deep-dyed colour. But what about its sound? How do different textures affect the auditory qualities of paper? 

“We produce our paper in the deep forests of Småland, Sweden. As you might understand, it’s pretty quiet around here. Maybe that’s why we wanted to explore the sound of our Lessebo Texture collection,” said Jens Olson, CEO at Lessebo Paper.

Sound artists Jesper Norda and Kristian Berglund from Rördrom designed The Paper Player specifically for this experiment. The device translates the landscape and variations of the paper surface into sound waves. Crafted from production spill wood, Lessebo Paper Player brings every bump and irregularity to life, creating a unique signature for each texture.

“This project has opened up a fascinating new dimension to our understanding of paper, the sounds we’ve uncovered are reminiscent of nature itself, offering a soothing, almost meditative experience,” said Kristian Berglund, Rördrom.

Lessebo Paper Player is a concept that Lessebo Paper and the Swedish branding agency F&B Happy has created. F&B Happy is a highly regarded branding agency, part of the creative collective Forsman & Bodenfors.

“Lessebo Paper is a boutique mill producing some of the world's most climate-friendly papers. By exploring other qualities of the paper through our senses, we wanted to highlight the craftsmanship, sustainability and quality that define Lessebo Paper," said Maria Glansén, design director at F&B Happy.