Summary
Ashley Fuchs is an interdisciplinary designer and educator who explores individuals’ relationships to place through printed matter. Most recently, her practice has focused on letterpress studies, both historic research and involvement through an active print practice. Her scholarly work blends antiquated and cutting-edge methodologies to establish new and viable research paths that mix historic wood type with new laser cut forms - demonstrating functionality and approachability for this historic medium. Recently, her archival type specimen books, which document the historic metal and wood type collection at Montana State University, have been acquired by university special collection libraries like Ringling College of Art and Design and the University of Miami. Currently, she teaches a variety of letterpress, book arts and graphic design courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Research interests
- Letterpress history, cultural and societal impacts on the current generation of active printers
- Letterpress community research guided by ethnographic studies
- Research surrounding type anatomy and the defining features of metal and wood type
- Printing as an active practice using new technological innovations
- Interdisciplinary making - combined processes of print and research
- Pedagogical dissemination of innovation course curriculum focused on making and material explorations by students
Letterpress, specifically letterpress studies, historical research and involvement through an active print practice have been the focus of my scholarly endeavors. This is a result of my natural curiosity to explore design outside of digital applications, my interest in learning through making, and finding community through a shared practice.
Selected publications
- Type Specimen M, metal type specimen book from Montana State University's letterpress collection.
- Type Specimen S, wood type specimen book from Montana State University's letterpress collection.
- Fuchs, A, "Chromatic Borders for a Cause." Journal, Pressing Matters Issue 24, October 2023, pp. 76-79, Coecreative Publications, UK.
- Fucks, A, "Clay Culture; Across Disciplines." Magazine, Ceramics Monthly, Collaborations, March 2020, pp. 24-26, The American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH.
Courses taught
- ART 320: Letterpress: The Art of the Page
- ART 330: Letterpress: The Expanded Page
- ART 414: Book Arts
- GRC 310: Typography II
Education
- Master of Fine Arts, Graphic Design, School of Art and Art History, College of the Arts, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2017
- Thesis: "I came to gainesville and / ."
- Bachelor of Design, Architecture, School of Architecture, College of Design, Construction, and Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 2013