Creative Scotland Crowdmatch has provided £1,605 of match funding
Book & Film- Community & Printmaking in Japan
Glasgow, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
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Aim
This crowdfunder will support the creation of a book and film which explores how community exists within creative spaces in Japan.
What is the project exploring?
This crowdfunder will support the creation of a book and film which explores how community exists within creative spaces.To investigate this, the project focuses in particular on risograph printmaking studios in Japan to unpack how community exists within print studios. To build an understanding of the supportive networks which creative spaces nurture, we visited six different studios in Japan. Documenting through photography, interviews, and physically making a print in each space, we were able to build a picture of how print studios are the perfect supportive environment for enriching creative connections. These spaces allow for unique interactions, which we were able to explore in even greater insight, as with language barriers in place, we were able to understand fully how printmaking with others has the ability to allow us to communicate and build exciting, unique relationships.
Who are the artists?
Carla Smith is a multidisciplinary artist whose work focuses on connection. She often explores the spaces and environments which support community and conversation. She spends a lot of time printing with others and is really interested in how studio spaces can create a unique setting to build meaningful work and support systems.
https://www.carlasmithart.co.uk
Nicola Lyttle is a graphic designer and printmaker who has previously interviewed Risograph studios around Scotland. She is passionate about the potential of risograph as an experimental printmaking medium, along with the power of accessible print & publication. https://nicolalyttle.xyz/
Why Japan?
Risograph printing is a versatile printmaking technique that both of us use within our creative practices. Originally developed in Tokyo by the Riso Kagaku Corporation, the risograph occupies a unique position within Japan’s wider printmaking culture. Because of its origins there, it felt important for us to explore risograph studios in Japan as part of this project, investigating connections within printmaking spaces.
Japan also has a rich and influential history of printmaking; however, risograph exists within a slightly different context. Unlike many traditional print processes, it was originally designed as an affordable, efficient printing method for schools and businesses rather than as an artistic medium. Only more recently has it begun to gain recognition in Japan as a creative tool.
Interestingly, while risograph has become widely embraced internationally as an experimental and artistic print process, in Japan, it is still viewed through this more practical lens. As a result, many of the studios we visited were deeply passionate about pushing the process in new directions, developing innovative techniques and approaches that reflect this distinctive relationship between utility and creativity.
What will it actually look like?
The small edition book will be printed as a combination of risograph & digital with spiral binding. A total of 55 books will be printed, with an exclusive selection of 25 books that include physical prints made within each studio visited in Japan.
This playful book will be a documentation of risograph print studios in Japan. The book considers how collaboration and community exist within studios and the way in which these spaces become catalysts for exploration, creativity and support. The book will collate together interviews of four studios in Tokyo, one in Osaka and one in Kanazawa. The book will have interviews from each studio as well as artwork and photographs.
It will be designed by Nicola Lyttle and Carla Smith.
Alongside the book exists a film which has extended versions of these interviews as well as further footage focused on how risograph printing and these spaces exist within Japan. The film also includes footage of the book being made and documents this process; they exist together.
Our research is done, and the book design and film are at their final stage. Now we need your support!
We are so excited to start bringing everything together and creating the physical copies of everything! (We know we are biased, but it’s all looking really cool and we cannot wait to share it!)
What will you be supporting?
We are at a super exciting stage with this project...the film is ready for peer reviews, the book is ready to start printing, and we are on the edge of our seats, ready to share and tell everyone about this!
By supporting our crowdfunder, you will enable:
- The book to be printed by us in collaboration with Aberdeen based printmaking studio Peacock & The Worm!
- The film to be completed, including supporting it to receive its final crit/reviews and edits!
- A translator to check over the film and book text
- The venue hire and organisation of a book launch and film screening in Scotland!
Why do we need to raise funds?
Our project is currently at a stage where it can’t move forward without some support. Everything is ready to go, which is so exciting. To start the process of printing, there are upfront costs, which means we need to raise funds to get things in motion! We are really excited about this project and can’t wait to share it. The studios we visited were fantastic, and the techniques and energy each space has is truly unique!
There are various rewards to thank you for your support
- £150 - Limited-edition book with physical risograph prints from Japan, an exclusive limited edition print and a reserved spot at the book launch and film screening event.
- £100 - A copy of the final book and a reserved spot at the book launch and film screening event.
- £50 - An exclusive limited edition print and a reserved spot at the book launch and film screening event.
- £40 - An exclusive limited edition print
- £30 - A (separate to the main project) mini photobook with pictures from Japan
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 8th August 2026 at 2:03pm