Students learn new skills from old techniques

Lauren Hollands

14 May 2014: Graphic design students at the University of Canberra have turned theory into practice by typesetting by hand as part of cross-institutional workshops.

Over two weeks, second-year graphic design students learnt how to use letterpress at the Australian National University’s (ANU) School of Art Book Studio.

The University of Canberra’s graphic design course convener Lisa Scharoun and ANU typography lecturer (and University of Canberra PhD student) Caren Florance ran the workshops, in which students used letterpress techniques needed to understand layout methods and typeface terminology.

UC-ANU workshop lets graphic design students try their hand at using letterpress. Photo supplied.

Dr Scharoun said that further to the practical experience, students gained a more sound knowledge of typography layout.

"Letterpress is now mainly used by artists or for special printing jobs like wedding invitations, to get a unique look and feel that is not possible to achieve with the computer," she explained.

"Most of our typographic terms (like leading for instance) are derived from this process. Having a letterpress workshop gives students a more comprehensive understanding of layout as they are constrained by type sizes and options – while they are normally spoiled for choice when doing typesetting and layout on the computer."

Students in the workshops were given the opportunity to work together using their newly acquired skills to design the cover of a book on typeface design history and famous typefaces for the end-of-year exhibition.

Dr Scharoun said the workshops were “very beneficial to the graphic design students, who found them challenging but very rewarding”.

She said the workshops will reoccur every year based on this year’s success.