The first year Graphic Design & Illustration students recently took part in an exciting practical workshop in the College’s print room. As part of their curriculum, the students were introduced to the intricate art of screen printing, learning both traditional and modern techniques that will serve as a foundation for their future design work.
Before getting hands-on with the screen-printing process, the students first designed and drew their Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde inspired illustrations. These designs were then carefully cut out to create stencils for their screen prints. Once their stencils were ready, students used paint to bring their designs to life in bold, vivid prints.
In addition to the stencil work, students delved into a more advanced process, coating screens with photosensitive emulsion and imprinting their design onto them using a vacuum exposure unit, which uses air pressure and UV light to transfer the artwork onto the screen. Once the design was imprinted, they employed a high-powered pressure washer to wash away the excess emulsion, leaving behind their detailed artwork ready for printing.
The students had a lot of fun experimenting with different coloured paints throughout the day. Starting with simple, single-coloured prints, they quickly discovered the striking contrast and boldness a single shade could offer. But the real excitement began when they started layering two or three colours, transforming their designs into multi-dimensional works of art. From neon greens clashing with deep purples to subtle pastel blends, every print became a unique experiment in colour theory.
This experiential session was part of an ongoing project where the class is tasked with designing a dust jacket for the classic novel Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. With this in mind, many of the students drew inspiration from the book’s themes of duality, transformation and contrast, reflecting these ideas in their screen-printed designs.
The interactive workshop not only enhanced these students’ technical skills but also encouraged them to think creatively as they brought their unique interpretations of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to life. They will now refine their prints as part of their final designs for their book jackets which will be unveiled later this term, showcasing the creative journey they’ve undertaken.
