(Someday I’ll scan an actual print.)

This is what my final image will/is supposed to look like (after letterpressing):

Here is how my colors split:

So, unless I decide to make any other changes (more drastic stroke around the Munchkin? tail entwined with the DNA double-helix? any thoughts?)—I think I’m good to go!

For the next assignment, everyone in my class will be creating his or her own 4″x6″ two-color design revolving around the theme of “-made.” We were each assigned our own prefix—I was assigned “custom(-made)”. Other examples that were assigned are: re-, hand-, and home-. We will be producing polymer plates with Boxcar Press and printing them on Vandercook letterpress machines (pictured below). In the end, we will be compiling our prints into books and each taking (at least) one home!

This assignment will be very fun—and an exciting break from the computer!

To be honest, I hit a creative wall with this assignment. Maybe there were too many other things happening at the same time, but as the due date neared, I couldn’t find the mental energy to focus on this project as closely as I wanted. My products tags suffered the most as they were my last priority. Ultimately, however, I am pleased with the results. I think my final designs speak to who I am and my illustrative style. The pieces I’ve created are simple and attractive and might appeal to a wide audience. I feel like I could pick this project up again in the future and complete mat designs for other specific poses.

I’m also happy that I tried to design for product development as this is something I think I’d like to practice more in the future. This would be a good project to use as a critique in the future—what I learned on my own and what I could improve with further training.

Product tags are in place! I just need to refine them before printing tomorrow…

I’m looking forward to mounting and finishing tomorrow night. It will feel so gratifying!