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A Division of UnderConsideration

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2009
–
2017

Developing cross-promotions between designers and printers is a great way to collaborate with people and obtain a quality piece at a reduced cost that both parties can benefit from. Joseph Hughes from Northcoast Zeitgeist met with Keith Berger from The Cranky Pressman via mutual friends and a new project was born:

I got in touch with Keith last fall and explained how I wanted to get closer to the craft of design and was interested in stopping down for a day or two to “get my hands dirty”. He graciously obliged and we got to work. The idea for the calendar came together pretty quickly, when Keith pointed out the shop’s impressive collection of type, old cuts and half-tones. I found one of a bruising, big-time wrestler pointing, I’m sure, at some barking, pip-squeak spectator and made him our 2010 mascot.

From there, we decided we’d proceed in a three-step process. The first “layer” would be our wrestler and the URLs of our respective outfits in metallic silver. The second layer featured a moss-green “10” set in large wood type, representing the year in which we all will all make our big comeback. The third layer called for the word “WORK!” — also set in wood type — and the great, little state seal, both printed in a warm red.

I learned quite a bit in these opening stages, especially how to assemble a tighter-than-a-fiddle-string lockup (still working on that one) and how to properly hand-set wood and metal type to hit exactly where you want it. We printed the calendars on the shop’s go-to behemoth, the Original Heidelberg automatic platen press, better known as the “The Windmill”. Seeing this baby in motion was a sight to behold, one part working closely with the next to ensure a smooth run. It was lovely, really.

On the first day, we trimmed the stock to size, got the art together, and printed each of the three front layers in their entirety. On the second day, we drilled the hole for hanging and affixed the calendar pads, and printed the line 100 Percent Pixel Free, to testify to the certainty that no fancy computers were used during the design or production of this project.

Surely nothing bad with getting your hands dirty when a project with this depth, layering, and humor can be proudly displayed after a couple of days.

Sketchbook/Organizer Gift

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Hascher Jehle Architektur: Thoughts and Buildings Book

Northcoast Zeitgeist/Cranky Pressman 2010 Wall Calendar

Production Method

Design

Northcoast Zeitgeist: Joseph Hughes
Cranky Pressman: Keith Berger

Printing

Cranky Pressman: Keith Berger