IDEA Practicum 2021 (Week 1)
Before the disease, I had been to Porchlight Press (a letterpress printing and design studio in East Van) two times for two different typesetting workshops. I absolutely loved the atmosphere, from the craft of tactile design to the office wiener-dog Marcel.
Porchlight appealed to me because of the skilled craftsmanship that goes into the work they produce. Creating designs digitally is one thing, but not every design is feasible in printmaking when translated onto the plates for the press. You need the expertise of the printers to tell you what will work and what will look good. As such, there are limitations. However, any limitation is a chance to be innovative because it forces you to take advantage of the unique medium. A perfect opportunity for me to grow as a designer!
So, when it came time to picking a practicum host, I was resolute.
Resolute Desk (Unrelated to my practicum)
I was so insistent on wanting to go to Porchlight that I didn’t contact any other places. I put all my eggs into one basket. (I’m so sorry, Judy)
Another bonus of working at a shop that produces physical material is the inability to do that on Zoom. So, I am one of few people in my graduating class who leaves the house for their practicum. The whole Porchlight team is only four people. With masks and plenty of room between everyone’s workstations, everything is Covid safe.
The people here have all been very welcoming, especially Marcel, who seems to remember me. We are becoming fast friends.
The other pros working here are Felicity and Kirsten (the printers), Michael (designer), and the owner Heather. The four of them are super supportive when I ask them to explain to me what they are working on. (Sometimes twice because I’m still thinking about that man outside who said hi to me– A friendly guy. Do I know him? Did he think he knew me? Do I have a doppelgänger in East Van?)
This week I worked mostly with Heather, who is a great artist to soak up knowledge from. She has me at work creating illustrations for the in-house stationery line that Porchlight does.
I created three cover pieces for spring-themed notebooks. Heather said she was looking for a fruit and vegetable pattern with eye-catching and bright colours. The illustration direction that we came to together is looking pretty good. I value working on a project from start to finish with a person(s) I can learn so much from.
Better photos are coming soon. Hopefully, when the process is all done and the books are for sale, I can do a post about the whole journey. I feel like I unlocked the key to creating attractive compositions this week. (be prepared to forget I wrote this)
I really admire Heather and what she has built. I feel like Porchlight Press is exactly where I want to be, and I am so excited to see where this practicum will go!
See you next week,
Naomi Evers
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