Prologue.

The first post is a little intimidating.

I don’t know the content or audience or tone yet.
I’m not sure what value I can add.
I still am thinking about how this ties into the big plan…

But, I do know I’ve waited long enough. And there is courage in the doing. Who said that? Goethe?

Regardless, I think it’s important to set your intentions.
So, here is a brief overview of my plan for this blog and my career (at least for today.)

This letterpress design & printing path was never originally intended to be the main thing.
After being laid off and losing the career I loved, I had vague goals of returning to freelance design, maybe illustration too, and then to learn letterpress on the side to make prints as some buffer income. It seemed like the most likely path to work, and kept my schedule fairly flexible so that I would be available as the stay at home parent and caretaker of the house.

But, as providence would have it, finding my space in the freelance world would prove more than difficult.
Surprisingly, what started to gain traction quickly was letterpress - the thing I had the least experience in.

I struggled to find a new path for nearly two years, with letterpress being a more casual pursuit - especially in that first year.

And then, slowly a new path emerged as I started finding things that were gaining traction and also seemed like effective use of my time and talents.

So, because I believe there is power in stating things, this is the new plan:

The Hoosier Type Company Brand

My energy and intentions will be divided into three related directions.

Physical Printing & Design

This is the core, keeping the craft and history of letterpress printing alive and relevant.
The work will focus on strong typography with a modern sensibility. The best way perhaps to summarize the work would be “fine art graphic design,” typographic work that is artist-initiated and also generates limited edition relief prints for followers, buyers, and collectors.

Education & Speaking

Through the act of printing and designing these physical artifacts is an opportunity to teach other designers, artists, and makers about typography, design history, printing, and more generally the Creative Process.
This will be done through social media posts, in-person and virtual speaking and presentations, and also through this blog…and maybe YouTube if I can find the time and courage.

Creative Partnerships

This is the smallest component of the plan, but allows me to contribute my unique style and process to aid other organizations and businesses. Mostly, this will take the form of creating unique limited edition prints for use in fundraising or as gifts. (Please note I have a page that details this more specifically and because of growing time constraints I have narrowed down partnerships I will dedicate time to that I am most passionate about.)
Additionally, this will include making my prints available for small Indiana retailers to stock in their own spaces, and may even include new Creative Partnership print designs that celebrate their local area.

Ok, there we go. I’ve said it.
That’s the plan.

Let’s see if it continues to work.
Only by the the Grace of God.

-Daniel