This series of 9 workshops introduces participants to typography and print design, guiding them through creative exploration with various techniques and materials. Led by graphic designer Eva Crawford-McKee, the workshops cover a variety of practices, including hand lettering, moveable type, screen printing, and letterpress.
Participants will start by responding to a word or phrase using large-scale coloured tape and black paper to create bold, expressive typographic designs. Next, we’ll shift to small-scale ink drawings on coloured paper, refining detailed typographic compositions. Participants will then create 'ransom' style letter posters using Letraset and collage techniques, inspired by their favourite lines from books, songs, or other media. Drawing inspiration from designer David Carson, we’ll experiment with mixed media and collage to craft impactful visual compositions. Next, we’ll explore hand lettering with wedge-tip pens and neon/bright markers, drawing inspiration from Ciaran Glöbel. Focusing on signwriting, we’ll design a single word for marketing, inspired by supermarket signage. We’ll also experiment with mark-making techniques, incorporating bold colours and textures as background.
We’ll then focus on type hierarchy, mark-making, and grid-based creation. Participants will design their own typefaces using grids, curves, and lines to create fonts in black and white. Using pre-printed grids, participants will design letters confined to a limited space (A5 size), introducing the concept of moveable type.
Afterwards, participants will experiment with stencils, screen printing, and letterpress techniques, testing various ink and paper combinations to create expressive prints. Starting with smaller presses, participants will progress to larger presses for collaborative projects, producing both individual and group prints. Throughout the process, we’ll use black, white, and coloured inks to achieve these results.
Additionally, if time permits, scanner manipulation could be explored to further refine and enhance your printed designs.
The work produced includes the following sizes: A5, A4, A3, and A2.
By the end of the workshops, participants will have gained practical experience in typography and print design, culminating in the creation of distinctive, printed work.
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our course and module disclaimer for more information.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:30 – 21:00 every Wednesday for 9 weeks, excluding public holidays.
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 8 in the group
- 22.5 hours of teaching in total over 9 evenings, 18:30 – 21:00
Timetable
- Week 1: 8 September 2025 - workshops start
- Week 2: 15 September
- 22 September - no class
- Week 3: 29 September
- Week 4: 8 October
- 13 October - no class
- 20 October - no class
- Week 5: 27 October
- Week 6: 3 November
- Week 7: 10 November
- Week 8: 17 November
- Week 9: 24 November – last workshop
Independent Study
Participants are encouraged to create and maintain a personal sketchbook which reflects their own creative practice involving ideas and inspiration as well as the documentation of processes and learnings.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Eva Crawford-McKee is a graphic designer with a deep affection for paper and print design. She enjoys taking inspiration from vintage design and blends this with modern execution, creating work that builds on both art and design principles. By creating work that has a story behind it and melding this with a love of both traditional and contemporary print methods, the designer invites the viewer to slow down, appreciate the process and reconnect with the tactile joys of design.
After graduating from Gray's School of Art in 2022, Eva Crawford-McKee returned as a Graduate in Residence from September 2022 to 2023. During this time, the designer created a series of risograph prints, collaborated with local businesses, and has since become a member of People of Print.
Edit
Eva's work is currently exhibited and can be purchased from Edit in the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen.
Edit is an independent lifestyle store celebrating designers, artists and makers from North East Scotland, delivered by Sally Reaper and Claire Bruce from the Look Again team, Gray’s School of Art and Deemouth Artist Studios in Partnership with Bon Accord.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This course is suitable for beginners.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2025/2026
Course fee: £280 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.
After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.
Additional Costs
Essential core materials are provided.
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
Course Cancellation
If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.
If you have registered and paid for your place on the course, but now wish to cancel, please email engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 48 hours prior to the first evening session commencing.
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with the Engage Team and we'll do our best to help.