Mr smith is a typographer in London. He is has a very particular way of printing he has great knowledge in the application of Letterpress.
What are the qualities of Letterpress that you're fond of? any that you dislike?
I enjoy the construction of the work in 3 diminsions/ building the composition - its an essential part of the design process for me - the structural allow the detail to be focused & informs the thinking & the eventual meaning its a very architectural process.
I also like the facet that I don't throw much away/ once you have used they for purpose its goes back in the case - neatly- to be used on another occasion / typographic recycling... Saying that - its always hard to settle - in to distributing type back into the case! It is the mark of well kept workshop - that has very little 'dis' to be done.
I dislike the chemical side of the process - too much cellulose thinner is not good for anyone.
How was your time as an apprentice to Alan Kitching?
Well... it was complex: nerve wrecking/ intense/ funny/ boozy/ musical/ learned/ experimental/ frustrating/ precise.
AK told me when I arrived that technically my work was 'rubbish' - he was right of course but he was the only man in the country who was 'designing with letterpress' & under his mentorship i was able to conquer those 'rubbish' qualities and craft a process that would allow me to create and think like a real designer.
Anthony Burrill mentioned your 'Smiths rules' what are they?
I go by these 3 statements.
1. Smiths rules sets out to explore visual ideas in response to typographic language/ material restrictions and the process of designing with letterpress.
2. Smiths rules should offer the opportunity for the reader to contemplate there own ideas & reconsider their philosophical approach.
3. Smith rules should be followed wherever practicable/ expectations can be made for narrow minds & when the rearrangement of ideas to conform with these rules would prove unreasonable.
David Wolske
Wolske has a painterly approach to his print producing abstract compositions.
When where you first introduced to the world of letterpress?
In 2001 I saw an exhibition of hatch show print posters and Jim Sherradens game changing letterpress mono prints. The work was so visceral it literaly took my breath away - I knew in an instant that I was supposed to be a letterpress printer/artist
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