There were a few packing, posting duties, apart form that most of the work I got to do are dissing the types.
I did also get to witness something interesting - I got to see some old types that are either damaged or are no longer needed turned into ingots for the super caster machines to turn into new types later. It is done by literally melting the types in a big metal pot, where all the impurities would surface and be cleared, and then the rest being pour into moulds and cool down to be used for the super caster to produce new types.
Overall in the last 2 weeks I got to learn something about letterpress, a basic understanding and appreciation of the process, and experienced a bit of what it is like being an apprentice. Being an apprentice was a really good way to learn, you really immersed in the culture of the place and carry out tasks as and when necessary, and I am very thankful that Hand and Eye offers such a position.
As for letterpress itself, what struck me the most were all the clever and careful considerations into the design of all tools in the processes - from the type itself to the trays that are designed, how the human mind and hands work, how to work in the most simple, straight forward and efficient manner.
Lastly, the art of letterpress, that of craftsman is becoming increasingly rare in the days of rapid technology, I am glad to see a small but a strong resistance to this trend. More importantly, having experienced myself the connection between the hand and eye, I cm glad to have experienced this tradition and know what it feels to work with your head, you hand and your heart.
Thanks very much to Phil and Nick for their time and this wonderful opportunity!
You can find Hand and Eye and the Internship application at the websitewww.handandeye.co.uk
