Study Resources
Teaching at the Department of Graphic Arts, in addition to the common modern lecture rooms, also takes place in the form of studio work in the rooms on the first and second floor of the building in Ilica 85 and in the form of workshop work in specialized workshops of the department.
Each year of study has a common studio workspace that students can use throughout the day when they are not in other classes.
In addition to equipment and machines (presses) for all traditional graphic techniques, the department is well equipped with specialized technical and IT equipment that is periodically renewed in accordance with the possibilities and needs.
The premises of the Department include six specialized workshops:
- Workshop for lettering
- Intaglio Printing Workshop
- Lithography Workshop
- Screen Printing Workshop
- Design and Applied Graphics Workshop
- Digital Printing Workshop
Auxiliary rooms necessary for workshop work:
- Jetkaona
- Grinding Stone
- Paper & Material Warehouse
Workshop for Trimming and Gravure Printing
Workshop leader
The workshop for high and gravure printing of the Department of Graphic Arts of the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb is the most equipped workshop of its kind in Croatia, and certainly one of the most representative in this part of Europe. In the workshop there is an old large-format press 250×100 cm, from the renowned manufacturer "KARL KRAUSE" from Leipzig, and another press from the same manufacturer, medium format. In addition, the workshop has a "KARL KRAUSE" press for high printing, one of the few of its kind preserved in the world. For the needs of working in a smaller format, there is also a smaller press of recent production in the workshop. What really makes the workshop stand out is the modern electric ARTLEY – Persen press, extra-standard large format 200×120 cm, suitable for high and gravure printing. This press enables printing of the most demanding works in high and intaglio printing techniques.
In addition to the presses, the workshop is equipped with all the necessary equipment for the production of prints – tubs for wetting paper, a dryer for drying prints, and a separate vented etching machine for working with acids. Students of the undergraduate study of Graphic Arts first encounter this workshop in which they learn the basics of graphic techniques of high and intaglio printing, monochrome linocut, multicolor linocut, woodcut, drypoint, etching, aquatint, reserve, and combined techniques. Students then return to this workshop in their senior years of study when, under the guidance of their mentors, they perform their graphic projects within their main art subjects, with the professional help of an expert associate in the workshop.
Although high and intaglio printing are considered traditional, and therefore non-contemporary graphic techniques, our students prove every day that it is possible to express oneself in these techniques in a contemporary and current way, exhibit in relevant galleries, and receive prestigious art awards for their graphic works.
Lithography Workshop
Workshop leader
The lithography workshop of the Department of Graphic Arts of the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb is a perfect example of the combination of tradition and modernity. Tradition is best manifested in three traditional restored presses, more than 100 years old, two of which are wooden – French type, and one iron – German type. In addition to lithographic presses, tradition is manifested in a wide range of the most diverse lithography techniques such as ink and chalk drawing, manner noir, white line technique, pad technique, etc., which students improve from the second year of study onwards.
An indispensable foundation of every traditional lithographic workshop is lithographic stone. Our lithographic workshop boasts one of the largest collections of lithographic stone in Europe – over 250 pieces, the largest of which are larger than 100 cm x 70 cm. It is also worth mentioning the modern system for manual rinsing of cut stones.
After learning traditional graphic techniques, students have the opportunity to try out modern lithography techniques and processes of expression in the lithography workshop. Modernity is best manifested in new technology and new techniques in the field of lithography such as pronto plate lithography, waterless lithography, photographic transfers and algraphy, which is certainly helped by the new Belgian large-format Artley press, electrically driven.
The lithography workshop offers our students a very wide selection of materials and techniques of flat printing, and teachers try to study the latest techniques of flat printing, and keep up with the best lithography workshops and institutes in the world.
Screen Printing Workshop
Workshop leader
The screen printing workshop of the Department of Graphic Arts of the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb was renovated in 2018 and expanded to 80 m2 of space. It is equipped with three modern screen printing machines: a semi-automatic machine, a one-handed vacuum table and a classic manual table for multi-color printing provide the ability to print from the smallest to the full B1 format of prints on various substrates, including the option of printing on textiles. The workshop is equipped with a large selection of screens of various sizes and finenesses, a large selection of screens, a pressure device for washing screens, a print dryer, a paper cutting table and other equipment. For lighting and unfolding, there is a UV illuminator and a table for illumination up to B1 format.
Preparations for prints in the screen printing technique can be made by hand, by drawing and collage directly on the foil, or prints of digitally processed photographic or other motifs can be used. The possibility of combining screen printing with other traditional and contemporary graphic techniques, simplicity of execution, a large range of possible formats, and especially the possibility of printing on various substrates make this technique especially suitable for use within various student and professional art projects. The workshop conducts compulsory classes for students of the second year of the undergraduate study of Graphic Arts, and senior students can print sheets for their graphic folders and other projects under the guidance of a mentor and with the professional help of an expert associate.
In the production of the Academy of Fine Arts, the workshop regularly prints commemorative editions of the Academy's professors' prints, graphic folders, T-shirts and more.
Design and Applied Graphics Workshop
Workshop leader
The workshop for design and applied graphics is intended for teaching in the field of visual communications, and for the realization of the works of mentored projects, as well as practical classes of the courses Design in Practice, Design of Visual Communications, Applied Graphics, Typography, etc.
The workshop is equipped with modern MacOS computers of the iMac type. Students also have at their disposal specialized accessories: a professional A3+ scanner and an A4 color laser printer. The procurement of some new computer equipment is also underway.
All computers are equipped with Adobe professional software packages specializing in graphic design.
As part of the workshop, there are also elective classes and conversations with guests-lecturers, as well as classes for foreign students of the Computer Aided Design course. The workshop also includes competition projects in the field of design and visual communication design intended for students of the Department of Graphic Arts, as well as design workshops How to design a mythological souvenir – in cooperation with an external partner, Zagreb City Libraries.
Digital Printing Workshop
Workshop leader
The digital printing workshop specializes in digital drawing and large-format digital printing.
Students have at their disposal equipment for digital drawing – professional tablets and computer equipment (MacOS computers) for 3D graphics and 3D printer, and computers are also equipped with Adobe software packages for creative digital expression.