Print Interview: Brief

Background

It seems that the design industry is in a perpetual state of flux between the popularity of print and digital practices/trends. While this may be the case, it is print practices that take the brunt of negative speculation, with phrases such as ‘print is dead’ finding their way into industry news. 

Despite efforts to combat this speculation, it cannot be denied that technological advancement will naturally continue to develop, however, the recent resurgence in preference for beautifully created print at current shows no signs of wavering. The question which remains to be answered is whether or not digital practices will ever find a way to challenge the qualities and potentials of creative print, and what the future of print will be for designers. 

Last year, I found the opportunity to interview a range of industry professionals working in or closely with the print industry on the power of creative print and their thoughts regarding the past, present and future of the sector. These sector associates were paper merchant G . F Smith, creative printers Pressision, and supplier of hot foils, Foilco. 

Job Description

Design and produce a piece of print which puts the interviews regarding the print industry - its past, present, and its future, as well as its relationship/variance with digital practices, into context through presentation of the interviews in an appropriate format. 

The resolution should utilise and take into consideration the different aspects of the print industry, represented by the contributing interviewees (print, paper and finishing etc.), and present their various viewpoints and opinions to provide a well-formed picture of the industry’s current creative climate and direction as it moves forward.

This exploratory piece of print should carefully consider appropriate methods of production, print technology, materials and use contributed content as inspiration for design decisions. Most importantly, the piece should in itself be creative.

Target Audience 

The target audience for this piece are those aged 18 and over with an active interest in design and, in particular, print.  They will be cultured in design, and most probably hold it as an occupation or future occupation — From creative students and design graduates to young professionals and beyond, such as well established practitioners within the industry. 

This target will hold a preference for tactile print practices and see its value in an overtly digital social climate. They may play a role within this field, and while not exclusive to designers, this resolution should naturally appeal to those within the creative sector as a benchmark of the print industry’s current position in the world of design and creative practice.

Deliverables

A piece of exploratory, creative print which identifies the print industry’s past, present, and future potentials - as well as its relationship with digital practices and practitioners within the relevant associative sectors - informed by the interviewees contributing and their viewpoints/professions/opinions etc.