No. 15: Printing Design and Publication

12-16 July 1999

1) How useful were the pre-course readings?

1: Very useful, although some of them were not foreign. A good refresher. The new information will be useful continuosly. 2: Very useful. I applied late, but still got the readings in plenty of time, thanks to the instructor’s care in sending them to me by express mail. 3: Useful, valuable, and worth retaining. 4: The readings were very relevant. 5: They were helpful, and established a framework for what we would be doing. They were necessary as a transition from work to RBS. 6: Very helpful in getting an overview of the subject plus a philosophical framework. Also, not an excessive amount of reading. 7: Very useful. Provided a good basis to start the class. 8: Very useful. They provided common ground and were an excellent launching point for the course. 9: Very useful. The readings provided essential background information and set the philosophical tone for the course.

2) Were the course syllabus and other materials distributed in class useful (or will they be so in the future, after you return home)?

1: Yes, even more so when I return home. 2: Yes. 3: Useful, valuable, and worth retaining. 4: Yes, very. I expect to refer to the handouts and other materials. There weren’t any throwaways. 5: Yes. I’ll be using many for reference. 6: Yes. 7: Both appropriate and useful. They will help me apply the course content to future projects. 8: Yes. 9: Yes! Fabulously useful. I’ll be referring to them in the months ahead.

3) Was the intellectual level of the course content appropriate?

1-3: Yes.4: Yes. This was no small feat because there were people from a variety of backgrounds. The instructor made sure that we were all "on the same page," and he maintained a balance between theory and practice. 5-8: Yes. 9: Yes, and very stimulating.

4) If your course had field trips, were they effective?

1: Yes. Some technical difficulties delayed/wasted some time, but I think we are all used to those computer difficulties, and we moved beyond it. 2: Yes. We had an informative session on Web pages with Chris Harrison, who also prepared an excellent handout for us. 3: We visited the Clemons Library to see Web pages. Useful, but not so good as the other lectures in quality. I don’t think this was due to the system crash. 4: I appreciated having the opportunity to talk about Web design, but I think this component of the course could be enhanced. 5: We went to look at Web sites, and got some helpful material. The discussion was useful. The equipment (or network) did not cooperate, but the class kept going. 6: The review of Web sites was time well spent. 7: We left only to see a series of Web sites. This time was well spent. Indeed, the design of Web sites will become increasingly important. 8: Yes. 9: No. The Web session was superficial in content, and was plagued by technical difficulties. This should have been a separate course.

5) Did the actual course content correspond to its RBS brochure description and Expanded Course Description (ECD)? Did the course in general meet your expectations?

1: Yes, very well. 2-9: Yes.

6) What did you like best about the course?

1: GA’s infectious spirit and love of fine design, and the ability to convey that spirit, were the unexpected pleasures of my experience here. 2: The instructor’s sense of humor. 3: Improved students’ vision, both in the sense of seeing what is before one, and evaluating the place and role of design in each page. Encouraged the imagination. 4: I learned so much from examining the book examples and printed materials that the instructor passed around. We got to see examples of good and bad design. The discussion and analysis of specific items were invaluable. 5: The opportunity to look at classic, third-quarter, twentieth-century printing, thinking about issues of computer typesetting, and discussing how to achieve traditional and classic printing that will appeal to contemporary audiences. GA’s approach is one of sharing pleasure, enthusiasm, and knowledge. GA had excellent control of the process by which we got from 8:30 Monday to 3:30 Friday. He managed a talkative class well, kept us focused, and kept us on task. 6: Sharing our evaluations of sample materials. 7: The highly qualified and caring teacher. 8: The chance to look at, discuss, and learn about beautiful printed pieces. 9: Three things: GA’s enthusiasm, his personal interest in each student, and the exchange of ideas during class discussions. Each member of the class had valuable insights to contribute.

7) How could the course have been improved?

1: Only that it be longer! 2: If it had been a two-week course, there might have been time for lab work, and possibly a visit to a printing plant. 3: The nature of the course probably precludes a tighter organization, but at times, I wished there was a lucid outline I could follow. This said, I emphasize that so many of the lecturer’s comments (even the seemingly casual ones) were gold, and I make no complaints. 4: If each student brought an example of a good and bad design, and a sample of work in-progress, then the balance between theory and practice would be better preserved. I would urge the RBS staff to find a large room for GA’s class next summer. Our room was perfect, however Peabody Hall won’t be available next year. 6: In addition to the materials distributed to the students, I would have loved to have a list of "GA’s Great Hints For Design" or some such document, including things like, "Every opening should be a folio when possible." 8: A minimal level of coverage of electronic tools and resources, such as an overview/demonstration of available tools and a list of links. 9: A hands-on encounter with the materials illustrated during the slide presentations. Skip the Web session, and spend more time evaluating and discussing publications. Provide a checklist or schema for evaluating and creating good designs.

8) We are always concerned about the physical well-being both of the BAP’s teaching collections and of materials owned by UVa’s Special Collections. If relevant, what suggestions do you have for the improved classroom handling of such materials used in your course this week?

2: Ask everyone to wash his or her hands before each session. I noticed an instance of fingerprints being added to a dark, dull enamel endpaper. 8: I believe excellent attention was paid to security.

9) Please comment on the quality/enjoyability of the various RBS activities in which you took part outside of class, eg Sunday afternoon tour, Sunday night dinner and videos, evening lectures, Bookseller Night, tour of the Alderman digital/electronic centers, &c.

1: Sunday Afternoon Walking Tour: I wished it were more inclusive of UVa history. It was so specifically related to RBS functions, and I wasn’t expecting that. Kara Hanson is lovely, but she needs to remember to wait for the whole group to catch up to her before she speaks - some of us are old and slow. Didn’t see, but would have liked to [hand-press demonstration]. 2: I thought Sue Allen’s talk and slide show on Sarah Wyman Whitman’s book covers were excellent. As soon as I get back to my library, I’m going to look at all the Sarah O. Jewett books, which I’ve never had an excuse to look at before. 3: G. Thomas Tanselle’s lecture, if unimaginatively delivered, was worth hearing. I don’t know anyone else who could generalize so successfully on this subject. Sue Allen’s lecture, though it could have been read less mechanically, was well worth hearing. TB’s talk, divided into years, was interesting and the history was intriguing. 4: I thoroughly enjoyed the lectures and social events. 5: There were plenty of attractions to entertain and instruct us while in Charlottesville, providing a backdrop for socializing with others taking different courses. Just about the right amount of offerings (unless you could arrange an early morning special tour of Monticello...). 6: Only partook of the evening lectures, which were entertaining and educational. 7: I enjoyed the lectures. 8: I greatly enjoyed Sue Allen’s lecture. 9: Sue Allen’s lecture was a high spot in the week’s activities.

10) Any final thoughts? Did you get your money's worth?

1: GA, with the kindest humor and most pleasing manner, encouraged the introverted, calmed the extroverted, deflated opposing agendas, and effectively managed the round table discussions that drew on real materials and experiences. In the end, all the lofty theories and philosophies and dense technologies became tangible tools to put in our briefcases and take home to use daily. No matter who you are or where you come from, you will make great use of what you take away from here. 2: This course would most definitely have been worth the money even if I had had to pay for it myself. 4: I would recommend this course highly: I believe that I got my money’s worth (and my institution did too!). 5: Have an "open house" hour to visit other classrooms, set up with a sampling of materials used. TB mentioned the teaching packets extensively - I, for one, had to imagine their contents. Yes [got my money’s worth]. 6: You bet [got my money’s worth]. 7: Do it. Yes, I got my money’s worth. 8: This is a wonderful and worthwhile program, and well worth attending. It would have been well worth the tuition had it been necessary for me to pay. 9: Do the advance readings. Get lots of rest - the instructor has more energy than you do. Be prepared to have a great time. Absolutely worth the money: GA is superb, and really cares about conveying the material to each student.

Number of respondents: 9

There were three rare book librarians (33%), one general librarian with some rare book duties (11%), one conservator/binder/preservation librarian (11%), two editors (22%), one library administrator (11%), and one graphic artist/designer (11%).