APG Evaluation

Rounding this entire experience at APG Works up, it has given me a very positive and motivating insight into the everyday nature of an independent screen printing workplace. Regarding the limited productivity that I was able to indulge in, it was still an experience that has allowed me to help provide support and assistance to APG, whether that's keeping the building organised, assisting the designing of the postcards or getting involved with screen printing the postcards themselves.

APG Works wasn't really my first choice of places to gain experience in because I'm more into illustration that uses other methods. Although, it surely exceeded my expectations when I got started getting involved with all the various processes a screen printing institution takes. Screen printing is completely new to me and seeing the results that are produced from what they design up on the computer has motivated me to doing more screen prints in my future work.

If there was anything to have done differently for a better experience, it would have been to mix in with the framing process of the work they do a bit more than I did. I didn't feel like I gained as much knowledge or practical experience with that area of APG as I'd have hoped.

Peddler Market // 01.05.15 - 02.05.15

Here is a quick snap of the indoor area of the Peddler Market event. APG Works's stall displaying the prints on the wall behind the crowd.

Final Day at APG Works

10:00-17:00

For the final day working at APG Works, I was helping out with the preparation for the Peddler Market by wrapping up chosen framed prints ready to be displayed at the event. I wrapped them up bubble wrap with cling film holding it down before moving them down the road to the Peddler Market. I also transported other various things ready for the set up of the pop-up stall.

Below is the designated stall for APG Works at the Peddler Market.

Reflection

The final day of the work placement proved to be the most active as I had been constantly moving multiple heavy items from APG to the event stall down the road. It was mostly just a labouring type of day but having being part of support for the preparation of a live event was very rewarding as Rupert now considers me as a convenient acquaintance. The final day had opened up another area of experience leading into event organising which widens it out further, instead of the experience being institutionalised in one location and one field of work.

Day 4 at APG Works

10:00-17:30

Panoramic view of the screen printing room.

It had begun with getting to work on cutting down the card material down to the correct size of the postcard designs. This was done using a craft knife and a large steel ruler, I made a slight mistake of not placing another material underneath and shifting it around so that the lines that I cut don't go into the same groove that appears into the table.

I then took on the role of using this strip of light to see if any unwanted specs of light come through where they shouldn't by using the same emulsion medium used on the screen to cover them up.

We now had started to place the postcard stencil down onto the surface so we can line up the two exposed screens perfectly for when we finish with printing the white and start printing the black on top afterwards.

To this point we are rolling on with screen printing the white ink down onto the material. Rupert did most of the printing, as it was a professional piece for advertising the company, whereas I was able to assist him with the moving stacking of the prints.

This print in particular below was one that I was given the chance to get a first hand experience of screen printing in APG Works. I was just very relieved that I didn't make a mess, knowing that its a professional piece.

The printing had moved onto using the black ink to finish off the postcards.

Below is the postcard that I actually printed myself, Rupert let me have this one to take home with me.

As you can see below, there's quite a big difference in the layout which makes the postcards not so crowded and more to the point. Before picture on the left and After picture on the right.

Reflection

So far throughout my time at APG Works, this day has been my favourite by far as it has given me the chance to physically get involved in working alongside Rupert and getting a hands on experience on the processes of screen printing designs. It was a long day but it was a very proactive day to which I felt proud that I provided a service in assisting the preparation of the postcards that will feature in the Peddler Markets this weekend. Looking back, screen printing is still not my first stop to call at in relation to my illustration ambition but so far, this experience has definitely opened up a few more doors and my outlook in the professional world wider in breadth.

Day 3 at APG Works

10:00-17:00

I started to observe the designing of new postcards that Rupert was planning to create; using Adobe Photoshop, a large format printer and silk screens. These are the previous postcard designs below, Rupert wanted this design back with only a few changes to the text as an update.

He was able to redesign the layout of the postcard using Adobe Photoshop before printing it out onto film.

As we printed out the postcard designs, we had them ready to be exposed for around 12-14 minutes, laying on a black material so the light doesn't bounce back unnecessary light.

We then washed the screens down so it isn't light sensitive anymore and keeps the exposed design present. The screens were then ready to use ahead of the next day's screen printing.

Below are images of a small job I asked about doing just to keep me busy and useful to APG, during a time of slow/little productivity. I basically cut out the silk screens out of the frames using a craft knife and took all the tape off so they're relatively cleaner for future use.

Reflection

I feel like it wasn't a day that I was able to engage in as much practical work as I'd have hoped for but both me and Rupert agreed with how that is the reality of working in an environment such as a competitive yet independent/local business. Much of the time being spent on this day wasn't as handy as it could have been, so if I actually went to the framing area of the building and observed/indulged in the craftsmanship that takes place there by Rupert's assistant then that would have given me more hands on knowledge about another service that APG Works provides.