Viva La Revolution Letterpress Workshop
I learned so much at the “Viva la Revolution Letterpress Workshop” at the University of Utah. It was truly an amazing day for me.
I had the opportunity to attend the “Viva La Revolution Letterpress Workshop” at the University of Utah. The full day course was taught by the brilliant Mr. David Wolske and his assistant Laura Decker. This day-long workshop focused on the art of the political poster and how they are meant to be made quick and dirty to convey an idea.
I learned to cut a Lino block print and how to set wood type. I also had the opportunity to learn about pressure printing and photo-polymer plates. Initially I set out to create a thank you card with multiple colors, but ended up setting it in one color and blocking it up for a few passes.
I had a concept for a politically based poster that would say “Ideas are bulletproof”. This phrase is not my own, but is from a radio talk show host who believes in teaching people to make a difference even though it may threaten their lives. You may take my life, but not my ideas that I share with others. This is the case with good ideas and bad. It especially ties in with design. When you have a good idea it is bulletproof as you stand by it and build it up with good design principles and execution, it can become bulletproof and stand the tests of time.
A shot of my thank you card:
Shots of my limited edition poster
Not only was this workshop fun, but it also taught me a great deal about designing for the press. There are considerations such as spacing, ink, paper, composition, drying time etc. that all play into how the end product turns out. I ended up using a different color ink for each word or element, so I had to block up each piece on a different press. I am comfortable running several types of presses now, I just need to learn how to set metal type and eventually get my own press one day 
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