As a letterpress printer, it is hard to ignore the work of printers from the end of the 1800s. It was, in many ways, the heyday of relief printing. What with the advances in type casting technology and in the industrialization of printing plants and the equipment contained therein. It was a time when the occupational separation between printers and graphic designers had not yet occurred: when printers were still responsible for the look of the work that came out of their print shops.

It was a time of lush ornamentation, which followed the trends in architecture and fashion. It was a time of innovation and visual adventure. It was a time of hideously ugly individual elements which, combined together, created absolutely beautiful aggregations of texture and palate.

It was a time who’s sensibilities are nearly impossible to revisit from a 21st century state of mind.

And yet, this wedding invitation, designed by Ryan Ullery, looks backward with a crystal clear vision and takes a confident step forward. His wonderfully modern marriage of the outmoded line qualities of yesteryear with his clean vision of tomorrow provides an appropriate vehicle for this playful announcement of his own betrothal.

I believe that your vision will serve you well in your career and, more importantly, in your marriage. Well said Ryan.