Comments on: draft: on automation and craft in relation to the printing industry http://www.waking-dream.com/2006/03/28/draft-on-automation-and-craft-in-relation-to-the-printing-industry/ Bridging print, new media publishing, and cultural anthropology. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:55:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: mbernius http://www.waking-dream.com/2006/03/28/draft-on-automation-and-craft-in-relation-to-the-printing-industry/#comment-45 mbernius Wed, 29 Mar 2006 18:48:46 +0000 http://www.waking-dream.com/?p=42#comment-45 Thanks Senior Jameson. I think your comments highlight some aspects of my arguement that need clarification. Thanks Senior Jameson. I think your comments highlight some aspects of my arguement that need clarification.

]]> By: Randy Jameson http://www.waking-dream.com/2006/03/28/draft-on-automation-and-craft-in-relation-to-the-printing-industry/#comment-44 Randy Jameson Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:31:56 +0000 http://www.waking-dream.com/?p=42#comment-44 An outsiders view: 1. 'Better, faster, and more return on investment' is specific to the process. You are looking at getting ideas to paper, whether this process still meets the criteria that make it a craft is subject to accessibility of tools, dilution of standards and evolution. 2. Decentralization is killing the craft. I can print anything on demand now--novels, documents, large-format collateral, etc. And generally I can do all of this from my computer with basic desktop tools and a print driver that will talk to a neighborhood kinkos. 3. Standards and aesthetics are irrelevant- I can produce everything in comic sans and ship it worldwide without talking to a live person. Now, what is the threshold that gets me away from the computer and knocking on doors within the real print industry? That line seems to be moving further and further away... An outsiders view:
1. ‘Better, faster, and more return on investment’ is specific to the process. You are looking at getting ideas to paper, whether this process still meets the criteria that make it a craft is subject to accessibility of tools, dilution of standards and evolution.
2. Decentralization is killing the craft. I can print anything on demand now–novels, documents, large-format collateral, etc. And generally I can do all of this from my computer with basic desktop tools and a print driver that will talk to a neighborhood kinkos.
3. Standards and aesthetics are irrelevant- I can produce everything in comic sans and ship it worldwide without talking to a live person.

Now, what is the threshold that gets me away from the computer and knocking on doors within the real print industry? That line seems to be moving further and further away…

]]>