Naomi Midgley rookie

How long have you been printing?

2007

Describe your first encounter with letterpress

I was introduced to letterpress whilst at university. The technician at the time was an alcoholic on the brink of retirement. He disliked being at work and he disliked students. He tried his best to scare them away and as a result the print room was almost certainly empty. He reluctantly taught me how to set type, although looking back this was definitely not the entirely correct way, just a quick ‘it’ll do’ way. I was left to figure most of it out myself and he didn’t help me to achieve great prints. I now have his job.

Who was your most influential teacher?

Not my teacher but am I influenced by Jennifer Farrell of Starshaped press by the formes she posts on instagram. They are crazy and they make me want to take my type setting skills to a new level.

What super power would you like to have?

There’s a scene on Mary Poppins where Mary is tidying up Jane and Michaels bedroom to the song ‘Just a spoonful of sugar’. She clicks her fingers and the bedroom tidies itself. This would be my super power, to have the finished form put itself away in all the correct places - it would save myself so much time!

Do you prefer to work alone or with others?

Alone. I find typesetting very therapeutic, and I enjoy the thinking time.

When do your best ideas occur to you?

Normally when I'm in bed

What tool do you use more often than any other?

My Pica ruler

What books are currently on your nightstand?

I envy people who have books by their bed. I don't have time for that. I have Typographic Ornament that I’m currently working through by my work computer.

If you could study with any printer throughout history, who would it be?

Albert Schiller without a doubt.

When and where are you the happiest?

When I’m in the sun outside. Preferably by a body of water too that I can jump in.

What’s your day job?

Print making Technician