Supplemental: New Moon
Before the first term came to a close, my boss and I reminisce on the past term, and thought about what we’d like to do in the coming term.
We both found that this term was very free-form; me running around the center exploring openly. That’s produced a lot of projects and experiments that I’ve valued a lot, and have helped me become even more comfortable with the 3D printer and relief printing techniques, primarily.
I want to become more familiar with the digital printer. I’d had some troubles with it, as the large printer is just as intuitive as a common printer (i.e., not intuitive at all). I started to get the hang towards the end of the term, and my boss and I practiced in this last little chat. I started to really understand the whole process after printing so many photos.
We brainstormed about projects for the next term. We came up with a few.
The first was for me to practice printing different modes, and creating a small book on what an image looks like when processed through different methods. For example, I’d print the same image once in RGB, then once in CMYK. I’d print the image in a bitmap. All of these alternative tweaks to the normal printing process would be compiled and help others visualize why they are making the settings they make when they’re about to print. As a visual learner myself, the book would be very helpful for even me.
Another idea was a direct application of the 3D printer into traditional printmaking techniques. My boss and I came up with the idea to print a digital image, then 3D print a plate that has different levels of raised surfaces, to add corresponding texture to the image when it’s run through the press with the plate. I personally think this application is genius: it produces an effect that I think would be legitimately desirable to students, and it is an effect that cannot be achieved with traditional techniques (to my knowledge). It would produce both an embossed (sticks out) AND debossed (sinks in) effect. I’m particularly excited about this project.
The last idea was one that I had been throwing around in my head for a while. Basically, I want to 3D print a hollow buckminster-fuller-like structure, place heavy ball bearings in the center of the structure, and cover the faces in ink. This is more of a pet-project: I want to create a kinetic printmaking piece. I’d roll the structure onto paper, and the bearings would keep the structure moving, making an unpredictable print with the inked edges. This piece is more conceptually-fueled; I don’t think I’ve reached the ultimate application for the idea, but I want to see if this chaotic machine, forged with the knowledge of traditional printmaking, could even work. I think it in itself has validity and artistic meaning.
So! It probably goes without saying that I’m very excited for next term!
But for now, I’m going to enjoy the cold sun of the Bay Area ;)
