Auguries of Innocence - First Experiences with Letterpress
"Auguries of Innocence: First Experiences with Letterpress" stands as a curated compilation of letterpress creations crafted by students of Anglia Ruskin University, curated under the guidance of tutor Nicholas Jeeves. In a remarkable testament to this endeavor, my design was selected to be showcased within the pages of this publication.
The book, a tangible reflection of our collective efforts, was unveiled to the public in May of 2023.
MY DESIGN WAS CHOSEN TO BE FEATURED IN THE BOOK
During the years spanning from 2014 to 2018, students specializing in graphic design at the Cambridge School of Art were entrusted with a distinctive undertaking. Each year, they embarked on the endeavor of typesetting and letterpress printing a couplet extracted from William Blake's evocative work, 'Auguries of Innocence'. Intriguingly, this undertaking was novel for all participants, as none of them had previous experience with letterpress.
The culmination of their endeavors finds expression in this singular visual edition of 'Auguries of Innocence'. Within its pages, the entire poem is thoughtfully captured, interwoven with a diverse selection of their letterpress prints. This compilation serves as a unique window into the journey of creative minds as they traverse the transformative passage from innocence to experience.
In addition to this captivating visual presentation, the book further enriches its narrative with insightful essays penned by letterpress tutor Elizabeth Fraser and esteemed Blake scholar Sibylle Erle. Furthermore, the book's pages come alive with the inclusion of over fifty images documenting experiments and the intricate process of creative evolution. This publication stands as a testament to the convergence of innovation, artistic exploration, and the timeless resonance of William Blake's profound verses.
The launch event for “Auguries of Innocence: First Experiences with Letterpress” was hosted by The Swedenborg Society on the 22nd May 2023, at the Swedenborg House in London.
Displayed here is a collection of images that chronicle the iterative process and design experiments I undertook, leading up to the eventual formulation of the final design.
