Paper: Sketch, Draw & Create

What it does

Paper is a digital sketchbook designed for creative expression on a tablet. It provides a clean, distraction-free canvas for users to sketch ideas, draw illustrations, take notes, and build collages. The app emphasizes intuitive, gesture-based controls to create a fluid and natural creative process, aiming to replicate the feel of a physical journal with the power of digital tools.

Where it shines

Paper excels at making digital creation feel approachable and tactile. The interactive tutorial, presented as a pre-made journal (00:48), is a brilliant example. It invites users to learn by doing rather than forcing them through a rigid set of instructions. Another standout moment is the unique "rewind" gesture (04:45), where a two-finger circular motion undoes actions. It's a memorable and delightful interaction that replaces a standard UI button with something more physical. The app's toolset is also thoughtfully designed, such as the pencil tool's ability to create shading by tilting the stylus (02:37), which mimics real-world drawing techniques.

UX highlights

Gesture-driven interface: The app relies heavily on gestures, like the two-finger rewind (04:45) and pinching to close a journal (03:31), which reduces UI clutter and keeps the focus on the canvas.
Contextual tooltips: Instead of a static settings menu, tool-specific instructions appear in context, like the multi-part pop-up for the Pencil tool (02:20).
The "Paper Store": This feature (09:47) transforms the app into a content platform, offering creative prompts, planners, and tutorials that extend its use beyond a simple drawing tool.
Tangible interactions: Deleting a color palette by tossing it off-screen (01:10) is a small but satisfying detail that adds a playful and physical feel to the digital interface.
Flexible templates: Users can easily apply various page templates like grids or storyboards (07:32), adapting a single journal for multiple purposes, from note-taking to comic creation.
Clean canvas mode: The app allows users to hide all UI elements, providing an immersive, distraction-free space for focused creation.

Monetization & growth

Paper uses a freemium model with a "Paper Pro" subscription. The monetization strategy is visible right from the start with a paywall presented after the initial onboarding carousel (00:33). The app's primary strategy, however, is contextual upselling. When a user tries to access a pro feature, like advanced tools (05:17) or adding new color palettes (04:57), a non-intrusive tooltip appears explaining the benefit and prompting an upgrade. This connects the value of the subscription directly to the user's immediate needs, likely making it a more effective conversion tool than a static "Go Pro" button.

Who it’s for

Paper is for anyone who wants a simple yet powerful digital space for visual thinking. This includes artists, designers, students, and professionals. Its intuitive design makes it accessible for beginners who want to sketch or take visual notes, while its advanced tools and customization options appeal to more serious illustrators. The journal and collage features also make it useful for hobbyists, scrapbookers, and anyone looking to organize ideas visually.

Notes & opportunities

While the gesture-based interface is a strength, it might present a slight learning curve for users accustomed to traditional UI buttons. The initial tutorial journal is excellent, but its discoverability could be a minor issue if a user closes it and forgets how to access it. The app also heavily relies on a stylus for the best experience, which might limit its appeal for users without one. A small opportunity could be to offer a more guided first-time experience for users who don't immediately dive into the demo journal, ensuring they discover key features like the rewind gesture early on.