Ana R

A bit about the content
Printmaking is the process of transferring an image from one surface to another. Each piece produced is not a copy but an original because even though it can be printed more than once, it is not a reproduction. It is a process that allows space for surprise, discovery and happy accidents where one can learn something new each time, where experimentation and possibilities are endless.
This project will investigate the role played by printmaking in the education of art & design students. The main idea of this report is to raise evidence that the printmaking facilities enhance students education. Nowadays, institutions have been focusing on improving their digital studios more than in keeping their craft workshops running, not to say that in the current downturn of the economy, colleges started thinking about cutting costs and therefore specialized spaces are under threat. This report can become useful for other institutions in terms of understanding how printmaking performs but the initial idea is to collect information with the aim of supporting the workshops at the London College of Communication. Printmaking is an important process to establish knowledge in the art & design field, it enables students to experiment with colour, media and processes as well as to understand the whole process of designing – from creation to competition. This process, of printmaking, is one of complete artistic input. From the early stages of making the image, to choosing the method of printing, the media, the inks to be used, how to handle the equipment and everything else in between. Without this experience it is very unlikely that students will understand how things happen and, more importantly, what they can do to achieve the desired outcome.

Quotes

"An interesting analogy for why visual artists choose to work in print is a musical one. When an artist picks up a pencil to draw, they are a soloist, using a single instrument to explore ideas. When they work with the gamut of oil and canvas, they are a full orchestra, exploring not only all the ideas they have worked on in their drawing but working with a wide range of ‘instruments’. Printmaking is the improvisational chamber music of the visual world. Here the artists can explore ideas at a basic level through drawing or carving on a plate and then by interacting within a limited arena can slowly develop, shift, and add to the image with increasing richness."
Words taken from Printroom website ( am trying to get a name!)

"My experiences of printmaking and letterpress at University contributed greatly to my understanding of design processes. On my BA it helped me to develop an awareness of process and the importance of being organised, relating different materials and how a combination of processes can produce different outcomes. I developed an understanding of the beauty of paper and other materials. So much that I went onto do an MA in printmaking and forgot graphics for a few years! "
David Sims talking about his education, July 2009. David is a Senior Lecturer at LCC and is currently undergoing a project entitled “Learning through procces” which relates to the subject of this proposal.

"These studies sharpen the senses, teach you how to really ‘see’, to give structure to your work and strenghten your confidence in your sensibilities and instincts."
Ken Kerslake, interview for World Printmakers, 2002

"One of the greatest losses of the recent past, in various art schools, has been the replacement of traditional printmaking equipment (such as etching presses, direct and offset litho, relief presses) in favour of the computer. I believe that to substitute one for the other is short-sighted. Print is a wonderfully versatile medium; its techniques have distinct charactersistics and qualities. So the advent of digital technology should enhance and broaden options available to the printmaker rather than replace them."
Tessa Holmes, Printmaking Today, Winter 2004. She is Director in Graphic and Fine Art Print Imagemaking at the London College of Communication

The action plan
The idea is to gather information through a relevant literature review including books, magazines and web sources and to design a qualitative interview. First year students, recent graduates, industry professionals, tutors and technicians will be interviewed with a set of questions that will leave space for them to express their experiences. There is the possibility of designing an open discussion where a small group of people would corroboratively speak about the topic which can be interesting in terms of letting the subject flow more naturally. A quantitative questionnaire might be used if found necessary.

David Sims (Senior Lecturer at LCC), Tessa Holmes (Director in Graphic and Fine Art Print Imagemaking at LCC) and Richard Hollis (Graphic Designer) will be some of the interview subjects for this report.

Interview questions will include:
• Which aspects of education have you valued the most? Why?
• Have you used printmaking facilities at you University? If so, how often?
• What is the role of printmaking in the education of art & design students?
• How has your printmaking experiences helped you with your design process?
• How do you compare computer and digital printing with hand made techniques?

Chapter headings
• About printmaking (a quick overview about the processes and use)
• The role of printmaking in art & design education
• Interviews/analysis
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

(I will also add a category explaining how I wish to design the report, and there is the bibliography which I am getting proper Harvard style info)

I think I will be able to screen print the proposal, which I'm very excited about! I will be printing an A2 black and white sheet, folding it down broadsheet style and if everything works out fine I will manage to get a screen I have back from from a friend and do some experimental screen printing on the poster side. Fingers crossed!