The Value of the Handmade in a Digital Age

The use of digital media is now well established in illustration practice both in hybrid/multi-disciplinary practices and also in the preparation and delivery of artwork. Digital technology is now an essential requirement of any contemporary illustration practice. However, there is a growing interest in traditional media such as letterpress, screenprints, risograph printing, drawing and handmade objects within an illustration practice. As the environments in which we socialize and communicate become more virtual through social media and online communities, there appears to be a growing interest in the physical artefact. Many of the students beginning their study in Illustration on the Masters programmes at The Glasgow School of Art will have developed their earlier practice through a digital toolset with a limited experience of traditional media processes. My case study explores the benefits of engaging with traditional media, such as drawing and printmaking, as a vital ingredient in the education of an Illustrator. It considers how slowing down to reflect on process can inform a student's studio practice amidst the constant demands of social media. It considers how traditional media can be employed to encourage experimentation and an openness to exploring new approaches to making work.