In Berlin, Erik Spiekermann and three other designers will introduce us to the basics of letterpress printing and typography. In a joint project in their unique letterpress workshop p98a, we will utilize the potential of historical techniques and digital approaches.
According to the motto "The hand is the window to the mind", a workshop designed for the HGK Basel introduces participants to the basics of the letterpress workshop, typography and letterpress printing in the unique setting of p98a. Participants then work on a project to implement the techniques they have learned using lead or wood type and expand on traditional applications. Traditional methods are expanded with digital techniques and a risograph. A collection of unique fonts and printing techniques including the printing machines are available, as well as very competent coaching. This is preceded by an introduction to the historical background and highly topical discussions on cultural heritage and the use of hybrid methods of historical techniques for understanding design. As the above quote from Immanuel Kant suggests, sense and sensuality are inextricably linked in this unique workshop. The banal realization that knowledge can and must be tangible in design is given a perspective in the constellation of this workshop that goes far beyond the setting of type and printing. In addition to Erik Spiekermann, the three experts Helene Bunge, Lillith and Lennart Zachwieja will provide the small group with advice and support - the designer and lecturer Ralf Michel will accompany the group from the HGK Basel.
June, 2025 Individual arrival and accommodation. Optional: Evening meeting with Ralf Michel for a first introduction to the project and to get to know each other
June, 2025, 10.00 - 16.30 Welcome to the p98a workshop / Introduction to letterpress (history, use today) and the typographic system Introduction to risography (digital and analog) Lunch break Preparation of the printed pages Digital/analog completion of the printed pages
June, 2025, 9.00 - 17.00 Risographing the designed print pages Preparing the letterpress form and letterpress printing Lunch break as time permits Joint aperitif
June, 2025, 10.00 - 16.30 Sorting and cutting the sheets Compiling all the printed sheets into a publication Binding the product Lunch break Cleaning up In the afternoon/evening presentation and discussion of the results
Erik Spiekermann. Typographer. Designer. Erik's work in the fields of corporate design and typography has been making the difference in branding and CI since the 1970s. Since retiring from active business in 2016, Erik has been running the experimental typographic workshop p98a under the motto "Hacking Gutenberg", where the workshop will take place. spiekermann.com/about wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Spiekermann hackinggutenberg.berlin
Lilith Zachwieja studied communication design in Constance and wrote her bachelor's thesis at p98a in summer 2019. She has been a permanent employee ever since. Lilith manages the workshop, plans and leads workshops and develops new print products.
Helene Bunge studied architecture and then gained experience in the fields of interior, product and graphic design and events. She has been part of the p98a team since 2019, first as an analog store manager (conception, interior, events), then as a printer (ideas, typesetting), as well as social media and sales manager.
Lennart Zachwieja studied communication design in Konstanz and wrote her bachelor's thesis at p98a in summer 2019. She has been a permanent employee ever since. Lilith manages the workshop, plans and leads workshops and develops new print products.
Ralf Michel is a designer, publicist and curator. He has researched the interaction of color and light as well as the integration of design in innovation processes. Ralf has been teaching at various universities since the end of the 1990s and coaches students from different disciplines in their final theses.
Alternating one-week modules of 2 ECTS are offered in workshops, which can be attended individually according to interest.
Professional experience as a designer with a focus on graphics, typography, CI/CD and/or completed studies in the above-mentioned contexts.
Designers who are interested in the productive and making-oriented examination of the potential of classic typography and printing techniques at the transition to digitalization.
The workshop focuses on the sensory and implementation-oriented experience of letterpress printing, various printing processes and the typographic measuring system. The existing typefaces are introduced, their potential learned and the printing machines familiarized with. At the end, all participants will be able to print and operate the elements themselves to a large extent. This also includes getting to know the proof press and building their own printing form using various analog and digital techniques. All this with expert coaching and in the unique infrastructure of p98a.
The workshop is a customized offer for the HGK Basel. The costs for the participants include the introductions, the coaching and the use of all materials provided in the printing workshop. Participants must organize their own travel and accommodation. The p98a workshop (Potsdamer Strasse 98a) is easily accessible and close to the Neue Nationalgalerie and Potsdamer Platz. The workshop is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Registrations will be considered as they are received and a waiting list will be kept.
Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE)
Das Institute Digital Communication Environments (IDCE) setzt sich zum Ziel neue technologische Errungenschaften in realistischen oder spekulativen Szenarien experimentell im Kontext der Kommunikation einzusetzen, um Modelle der Anwendung zu entwickeln. Im Gegensatz zu etablierten Technologien, lassen sich neue technologische Errungenschaften noch von ihrem intendierten Anwendungszweck ablenken. Die damit einhergehende experimentelle Herangehensweise wird im Institut als Grundlage für eine reflektierten Auseinandersetzung mit Kommunikation, mit visueller Kommunikation, mit Bildern und deren Wirkung, sowie mit technologischen Entwicklungen im Allgemeinen verstanden.
