RISO POSTERS
THE CHALLENGE
How might language and technique be used to demonstrate the legacy of printing?
THE SOLUTION
A combination of print practices from across history mixed with phrases from those in the industry.
Language was taken from a number of texts, documentaries, and firsthand accounts spanning the history of printing. I was particularly interested by the humanization of machinery.
Each element went through a layered process of manipulation. Methods included letterpress, scanning, digital editing, and photography. Each era of printing is present in all elements.
1/3: The letterpress and those who work with it. There is a unique bond between machine and man, which is echoed by workers' accounts of their profession. All lettering was originally printed on letterpress.
2/3: Ideal computer performance versus reality. Digital tools are meant to provide convenience, but too often they underperform or overmanipulate. There is a line between "can" and "should."
3/3: Looking toward the future. The form in the center was made through an amalgamation of analog and digital tools—the future of printing lies in innovations and ideas borrowed from the past.
