Day 7: The week ends as it began.

Today we said our good bye's to Ewald and spent some time collecting the last few things that we needed before returning home. The experience finished just as it began, with coffee and cigarettes and a few parting words of wisdom from Ewald.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ewald for everything he has done for us over the past week. He has been an impeccable host and a fantastic teacher. We are already looking forward to working with him again!

Back to reality.

Day 6: Drukwerk

Today we gathered as many letters as we could.

We also put a few finishing touches to the work we have been doing over the week.The gallery was very busy and we were all lucky enough to meet George Hardie, a member of the design team Hypgnosis who created the artwork below along with that for Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' and Led Zepplin's debut album.

Tomorrow is home time!

Day 5: The only word is YES!

Above are some of examples Ewald's earlier work 1985.
These posters form part of a handprinted book paying homage to Werkman, Sandberg, Grieshaber and Reichert.

"Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar.
You're gonna go far, fly high"

Today saw Ewald's 'Yes" hung on the studio wall and it is massive.
A permanent positive state of mind hung as a center piece in the studio of the Typogallery.

We have learnt about the origins of the exclamation and met acclaimed Dutch literature critic Ivan Sitniakowsky.
He welcomed us into his home and guided us through his best finds from todays flea markets.
Highlights were illustrations from Benjamin Rabier and a selection of Japanese calendars printed using wood blocks.

The evening finished with Ewald in a local bar that is almost unchanged since the 19th Century.

Bed time.

Day 4: Press cut-press!

The British Empire was built on TEA so have your CAKE and eat it.

Today saw the development of the ideas we have worked on over the last two days. Please see the examples above.
We have looked at the traingular form, which has developed our awareness of space and the way in which 3 dimensions can be produced using the printing process and colour.

We also visited the new library at the Rietveld Acadamey.

Josua Reichert

We are currenty working on the presses that were used by Josua Reichert. Ispired by Grieshaber, he taught Ewald Spiker at the Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam. Now at the age of 70 he lives in a small town not far from Munich and still works for 10 hours a day. Below are some of his original works from Ewalds private collection.

This is the most impressive thing we have ever seen.

Day 3: Happy Heineken e's

Today it rained.

Ewald taught us the follwing things...

"Always start with what it is, type in its purest readable form"
"Typography is about the millimeter and the mind"
"Always go from playing to saying"

Werkman
Grieshaber
Reichert
Spieker.

Tomorrow we are going to play with cake.

Day 2: E is for Ewald

First day nerves were felt but immediately put to rest as we were welcomed into the studio.

Coffee started the day and we discussed our plans.
After an introduction to the studio, typefaces and presses we are told to explore, experiment and enjoy.
Help is always at hand from an energetic and enthusiastic Ewald.

"WORD + MEANING = MAGIC
"Association is everything"
"Try not to make the right things in one time - just go out of your head"

EATeacake.

Day 1: Park Life

Teacake has arrived.

Probably the best ice skating facility in the North West.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport offers us this at four AM on a Sunday morning.

one more sleep

Watch this Space

Only Two Sleeps To Go

Prepared for our placement! A selection of materials to take to Amsterdam.

Bigger is Better

The second wave of Dubway posters is here. Thanks goes to German printing efficiency in its pureist form.

Stand by for more.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

New Typographic Design By Roger Fawcett-Tang.

An array of modern typographic work is presented and highlights include work from work by Grandpeople, Experimental Jetset and RBG6. The rest however is a little disappointing. Lots of type but little thought and even less conviction in places.

Two Stars

Bargain Berlin Bauhaus Bookshop!

Tempo, Tempo By Elizabeth Otto, The Bauhaus Photomontages of Marianne Brandt.

A protegee of Laszlo Maholy-Nagy, Marianne Brandt's metal work overshadows her array of photomontages and she is often remembered for the invention of an adjustable metal lamp. As this technique is rediscovered by the masses Brandt will be considered one of its luminaries.

Three Stars.

Between the Pavement and the Roof Tops.

A specific location that provides entertainment throughout the day.

Gauw tot ziens

A series of typographical experiments printed on a HP designjet 430 tracing plotter.

Gemma Harrison

Teacake have been busy developing a new identity for manchester based stylist and art director Gemma Harrison. Above is a sneak peek at what weve been up to.

Grid it up!

Grid Systems in Graphic Design By Josef Muller-Brockmann

This is the definitive guide to layout, essential for all designers. Even learning a few of the many rules described will infinitely improve your work. We are working our way through it steadily!

A fantastic bedtime story. Thanks Nick.

dub

After serious negotiations with UPS regarding their incompetence in writing delivery addresses correctly 10,000 Dubway flyers have arrived and hit the streets of manchester. Posters later today we hope!

Tell your friends!

Teal on A3 Meta White X 50

we are always clocked in.

Anyone for Karaoke

Two more examples of ugly type found at Trinity Way traffic lights.
Very different budgets!

We like the shading on the Karaoke poster.

Yorkshire Tea loaf?

Teacake Tea breaks are Fantastic.

The Penrose Annual 65 1972

Teacake found this book at a flea market in Amsterdam. Printed in England it is a collection of the best graphic work from the period. Highlights include the above images, a graphic representation of a hair growth experiment and a prize winning stamp design by student Stewart Cameron, of Newcastle upun Tyne Politechnic. He received £200.

Another list

Here at teacake we love to make lists. "things to do"

Poodles and Piers

A fantastic Blackpool triptych found in Accrington.
Cheers Gemma, great find.
Keep hunting!

Thank You Nick

A big thank you to Nick for bringing the Teacake Factory to life.
Much Appreciated.

Beers at The Mark Addy on us!

A Present for Ewald

To pre-empt our visit we popped a postcard of Amsterdam in the post to Ewald. Found at a car boot sale in Clitheroe it travelled back to its homeland in a bright yellow envelope with a couple of our brand new business cards for company.

Graham’s Bank Holiday Weekend

Wilmslow by the sea. Graham went down south to Salcombe and spent a week with the Hoorah Henry’s. Fresh air and fresh fish were enjoyed alongside friends and family for the fifth year in the row. He even got a bit of a tan!

Rob's Bank Holiday Weekend

Rob spent his bank holiday weekend doing what he does best holding a stall at his local carboot sale.
Later in the day Rob and his better half Gemma set sail to Lytham St Annes.

Champagne and chips by the pier, slot machines, bed and breakfast and a curry. What more could a girl ask for?
A Fantastic fewdays spent by the Great British seaside.