Bryan Dunleavy of Magic Flute Artworks put this particular quote very concisely-

"The Gutenberg revolution was the invention of moveable type. Each aspect of this process went through hundreds of technological developments until this idea was itself succeeded by an idea that mad life easier and production faster. Enter the world of offset litho and subsequently digital printing. If the technology exists to allow you to move type that you don't have to store, carry or physically move, what choice do you expect people to make?"

But I still think typographers should learn the basis of the earlier methodology before moving on to tools which are in effect 'too easy'.  It's like telling someone they can be a really great, concise, thoughtful painter if they spend an afternoon learning to drip some paint on a canvas on the floor, and then having them expect to make some great art with it.  There was an entire podium of history that the abstract expressionists stood upon which preceded them.   It's all about intent though, and the intention of the typographer (or painter) is almost of equal importance to their initial instruction and training.  

One man will buy a bicycle and always pay a bike mechanic to change the tube- another  girl will learn how to totally disassemble and reassemble the bike on her own.  It is all about intention.  I just wish more typographers today would allow intention to be a part of their process.

Thoughts on Letterpress Printing and it's role as the parent of modern typography

Two days ago I received an email about letterpress- the sender had questions for a forum on letterpress, and they were pertaining to the field and it's validity in reference to historical graphic design, as well as letterpress' recent resurgence of popularity amongst people looking to have things printed.

Some Notes: 

Pull the roots out from under the tree and the tree can no longer drink.

 Take away the principals of static, formal layout and composition, which are basic to the core development of letterpress typographic expression, and chaos ensues.

When we forget where the symbols come from and how they were arranged to begin with, we will no longer make legible signs.  I personally believe signification goes with that loss.  Typographically Oriented Visual Communicators and Designers/Compositors who are not given the foundations of this great, richly historical medium will be without the core problem solving ability which hand compositors are so adeptly in possession of. The any-which-way-you-can mentality is one which is common amongst today's typographers-  artist's will innovate, and conservative individuals will likely continue being conservative, but it is my opinion that having the basic set of tools will allow you to build a better house even when power tools become suddenly available. 

Understanding that you are married to a face and type size and to your format is my personaly typographic key.

Static Kerning and other various aspects of traditionally limited handset type can be beneficial to the final form.  

The small tweaking which takes place in illustrator is integral to slickened, 'perfect', seemless design- but it is my stark conviction that when we forget that the human hand is in the work we de-humanize the product.  

Minimalism can seek to fragment our perceptions as much as it's protractors and compasses and various mechanical drafting mechanisms will allow-  a hand still held a mouse and a pencil and touched a tool.  The blueprints were fondled. 

 The idea was in a human mind.

When a person is given a set of limitations, they will be more likely to make informed decisions and produce something which has a specific aesthetically expressive nature to it.  Creativity which is outside of the norm will always have it's place- but the pit must be dug, the foundation poured, before the house's windows can be broken out.

Inception

I feel it is finally important that I have some sort of presence on the internet, and that I begin keeping a timeline and regular dialogue.  I am going to try to write in this blog weekly- whether it is simply a set of thoughts or an update on work within the shop, this blog will serve as a restingplace and temporal development medium for the productions of Haven Press Studio, Herschede Editions, and myself, Mark Herschede. 

Enjoy and continue to read as we exciting developments occur.