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.