Melbourne design group preserves retro technology
A small group of people in Melbourne have joined the new wave of publishing and graphic arts practitioners who are discovering the joys of using the Risograph printer – a forerunner of today’s photocopier. During November, two workshops were held on the technique in New South Wales.
The Risograph produces work that does not always look perfect, but designers like Stuart Geddes of Chase & Galley design studio derive pleasure from the quirky and unpredictable nature of this outmoded printing process.
Risograph print companies run by artists have appeared all over the world in recent years. Being just a two-colour printer, the Risograph is not in competition with conventional printing companies. In fact, the final product bears no resemblance to the shiny, well-produced printed matter with which we are familiar today.
The Melbourne artists using the Risograph have dubbed themselves the Melbourne Risograph Printers Guild. One member, Xavier Connelly, operates a press in Collingwood and likes to experiment with intricate colours and photographic prints. Connolly told Megan Johnston of the Melbourne Age that he was worried about Risograph printing becoming another fad that people soon become bored with, saying:
Zoe Sadokierski, a designer from Sydney, told The Age that outdated printing machines produced work with an “imperfect beauty” that is difficult to replicate. She believes that the somewhat unpredictable nature of the method houses much of its charm.
The Risograph produces work that does not always look perfect, but designers like Stuart Geddes of Chase & Galley design studio derive pleasure from the quirky and unpredictable nature of this outmoded printing process.
Risograph print companies run by artists have appeared all over the world in recent years. Being just a two-colour printer, the Risograph is not in competition with conventional printing companies. In fact, the final product bears no resemblance to the shiny, well-produced printed matter with which we are familiar today.
The Melbourne artists using the Risograph have dubbed themselves the Melbourne Risograph Printers Guild. One member, Xavier Connelly, operates a press in Collingwood and likes to experiment with intricate colours and photographic prints. Connolly told Megan Johnston of the Melbourne Age that he was worried about Risograph printing becoming another fad that people soon become bored with, saying:
“I wanted to try to get to the level where the printing wasn't quirky . . . it's just good printing.”
Zoe Sadokierski, a designer from Sydney, told The Age that outdated printing machines produced work with an “imperfect beauty” that is difficult to replicate. She believes that the somewhat unpredictable nature of the method houses much of its charm.