Hands-on Type

— Learning From Letterpress Heritage

September — 2021

The research project Hands-on Type sought to explore the historical influence of letterpress and moveable type in graphic design, with the belief that even in the digital age the ability to master ancient techniques allows the creation of innovative solutions to contemporary issues. The project included an event with workshops, conferences, and a publication.

Hands-on Type, a project led by Sofia Meira and Rúben Dias, sought to explore and reflect on graphic production, the use of moveable types and the promotion of teaching methodologies based on ancient techniques and know-how. The event took place at ESAD between September 14-17, 2021, and brought together some of the world-leading experts in Letterpress and Design, as well as students and practitioners.

The event included workshops and conferences from Alan Kitching (typography and handprint designer), Dafi Kühne (designer, printer and professor) and Rick Griffith (designer, visual artist, printer, teacher, writer and activist), conveying the ideal of high and low technology meeting to enhance teaching and design practice.

Following the event, the book Hands-on Type proposes a "return to the past" to recover and re-contextualize typographic printing, with the aim of renewing design practice. The book features essays and interviews with workshop participants, images and outcomes from each workshop plus articles on letterpress history and design education.