As living beings, we all know the importance of touch. It’s an act that signifies a personal connection, and we like to incorporate it into our daily activities. I’ve always been fascinated by letterpress, as it give creative works a 3D feel because the depressed lines highlight the design that they surround. No matter how futuristic we become, we will always crave to feel something because it allows us to connect at a more intimate level, therefore making it our own for just a few moments during that contact.
If you look around at the design world, you’ll see the resurgence (or did it ever really go away – I think not) of letterpress in business cards, posters, and every other give away that will land in someone else’s hands. Color impacts design by drawing in the eye. Depth that letterpress brings draws in the hand. Together, they engage our brain as we enter an experience where multiple senses connect on a whole different level. There’s a lot out there to explore if you’re learning about letter press, so go out there and explore. You’ll find some amazing work that will make you want to touch them.
Here’s a short documentary on Letterpress (the narrator’s delivery is a bit much, but the story is great):
Are you going to introduce some depth into your line work today? Who knows who you’ll touch when you do.
