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The issue of managing mental heath is a complex one - issues are often hidden behind a name, so many people hold a misguided and abstract concept of the issue that is based on negative and stigmatised understandings. Additionally, public awareness is based on specific symptoms instead of a general concept of mental ‘well-being’. This can be seen in the language used to discuss mental health issues in tabloids, where statements seem to have sprung from a ‘culture of fear and ignorance’. It would seem that the majority of people across all demographics are aware that mental health is an ‘everyday, omnipotent’ issue, for example in the cases of stress, depression and anxiety, but most find it difficult to discuss these problems in the frame of mental health.
The familiar format of a crossword explores and displays the most everyday of symptoms that, when suffered simultaneously, could be signs of a behavioural or mental disorder. The information at the foot of the page reads: ‘Combined anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain. One in six adults and almost one in ten children are suffering at any one time, yet a lack of mental health awareness means that the stigma associated with an illness can often be even more of a challenge than the disorder itself.’Kate Burn is currently taking a year out from her studies at LCC to complete the Diploma in Professional Studies.
This blog documents the journey of Alexander Cooper and Rose Gridneff as they prepare to deliver a paper at the 'Case for Letterpress' session at the College Art Association Annual Conference, February 2010.
Each college presenting are contributing staff and student work for a touring exhibition to give an overview of the different roles letterpress plays in design education.
Participating students from the BA in Graphic Media Design at London College of Communication are:
Kate Burn
Jacqueline Ford
Natasha Pia Podgoretsky
Johanna Woolhead
Alexander Cooper graduated from London College of Printing in 2003 with a BA (Honours) in Typo/Graphic Design. He has run the letterpress workshop at what is now LCC for the past six years, teaching students from across the School of Graphic Design and external groups including University of Delaware, Art Center College and Kingston University. Research focuses on the interaction between content and process, through pushing the boundaries of letterpress whilst respecting its traditions. Other interests include the graphical language of political protest and ephemera.
Rose Gridneff graduated from London College of Communication in 2005 with a BA (Honours) in Book Arts. Since graduating she has taught on a regular basis at London College of Communication, Southampton Solent University and is currently tutor on the BA in Graphic Design at the University of Brighton. Research interests include the role of letterpress in design education, craft and interaction within print.
Alexander and Rose are currently setting up a letterpress co-operative with James Allen and Elliot Hammer.
