an ode to letting go: merel slootheer imprints small poems onto autumn fallen leaves

Herfstvlinders explores themes of transience and letting go

Herfstvlinders, or Autumn Butterflies, is a project by designer Merel Slootheer that explores themes of transience and letting go through the innovative use of natural materials. The project transforms fallen leaves from plants and trees into fleeting carriers of poetic expression. By imprinting small poems and thoughts onto these leaves through a bruising technique, the text becomes temporarily visible, integrating into the organic cycle of decay.

Each leaf resumes its natural course after being printed, carried away by the wind, taking the inscribed words with it. This ephemeral nature reflects the essence of the project, emphasizing the fleeting and impermanent qualities of both the material and the message.

‘beginning – end’  | all images courtesy of Merel Slootheer

Merel Slootheer hand-prints Dutch poems on fallen leaves

The typography used for the text is Trinité, a font designed by Dutch type designer Bram de Does. Designer Merel Slootheer chooses the Dutch language for the poems, directly connecting the project to her inner world and linguistic roots. Writing in her native language allows her to play with word constructions and dual meanings, creating a deeply personal and culturally grounded narrative.

Each leaf is hand-printed using a tabletop press from the 1970s (a Kelsey Excelsior Mercury Model X 6×10″), developed in collaboration with Tekst in Druk. This manual approach enhances the tactile quality of the leaves, ensuring each one carries a unique imprint.

‘This leaf is on its way, just like us.’

The project draws its inspiration from the autumn season, a time of transition that naturally evokes themes of impermanence. The term ‘Herfstvlinders’ symbolizes this transition—fleeting moments carried away by the wind, never guaranteed to be found again. The leaves function as both a visual metaphor and a literal medium, blurring the line between nature and human creativity.

‘Floating without wings, but with a deep sigh.’

‘Does the process trust me?’

‘I miss you as my umbrella, so much rain is falling here now.’

‘Life is a changething.’

‘This leaf is on its way, just like us.’

‘Life is a changething.’

each leaf is hand-printed using a tabletop press from the 1970s

‘This too shall blow by.’

‘Is it possible to lose something deliberately and would you consider that loss or gain?’

‘I’m disappearing, becoming less and less me.’

‘When I + you = we found this leaf.’

project info:

name: Herfstvlinders
designer: Merel Slootheer – Precious Matters | @precious.matters

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom