Following on from my interest in the history of visual communication via the alphabet, I thought that it would be interesting to know more about the printing press.
The invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johann Gutenberg of Germany, was a revolutionary feat. During the information age, there was a demand for communication on a mass scale. For the first time, this was achievable by the use of the printing press. Gutenberg invented moveable type where he made separate pieces of metal for each letter, appropriate for the phonetic alphabet. These letters were able to be reused and suddenly, printing was available on a mass scale like never before.
This new means of mass communication helped to rapidly spread information and the ability to read and write also grew hugely. It helped to inspire a religious revolution, as families now were able to own their own bibles. Communication, science and general education also progressed rapidly, and the printing press is said to be the key in bringing the world into the early modern period. From reading about the printing press I have learned that its invention was so important in bring the world into the modern age, it was incredible technology at the time of its invention, and is still in use in some places in the world today; such as this guy's business. You can read more about the invention and impact of the printing press here.
This reminded me of an article I found about a graphic designer called Alischa Herrmann,
ReplyDeleteshe is young designer who choose to work with letterpress printer as her line of work.
She got into using them when after eight years of working in a typical design studio, and craved something more beautiful and less commercial.
Letterpress is one of the oldest forms of printing available, and is a reminder to us as designers that beautiful things are not made easily and require time and patience.
I can appreciate the time and effort that goes into doing such a form of art, it is truly lovely and is definitely something that could not be mimicked on the computer. However in this fast passed world we live in today, I'm not convinced this is the best way of producing our works.
But going off what I said about taking a hands on approach to our artwork every now again, I would like to try this, as I really like the final product such a procedure takes.
Frankie Magazine, issue 40, pg. 24
That was my response :)
ReplyDeleteDana