Fall 2024 Classes

Course registration for the RisoLAB’s Fall in-person and online classes are open! Our Open Lab Access links will be open for registration beginning on Wednesday, August 28th. You can browse our course listings below. Each description contains a direct link to a registration page.

Our semester begins on September 16th and runs through December 18th. Those who have previously completed a course at the RisoLAB are eligible to sign up for Open Lab Access. Registration for access will open during the last week of August.

Access all of our Visual Narrative and RisoLAB courses by following the link below:

Riso print in teal, purple, pink and yellow of a shirtless man wrapped in bandages, with a purple necklace and shorts making his way through river, grass and trees, appearing four times across the page in a natural environment, with mountains and moon in the backround.

Risograph Printing for Drawing and Painting (FALL 2024)

Course Number: VNC-2243-A
Instructor: Andrew Alexander
Schedule: Sat, Sept. 28 - Dec. 14, 2024
Hours: 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

Drawing is a universal visual language. In this course students will create art using Risograph printing by way of hand-drawn images to create a new expanse of possibilities from their work. Both new and old work will be used to extensively explore the palettes and textures, and the capabilities of the Risograph process. Experimentation with a variety of tools and techniques to develop a language of mark-making will be encouraged. Students will use the Risograph printing process to make new work and reproduce previously created projects. A new practice will emerge from the discoveries that occur during this process. In-class experiments, discussions, assignments and critiques will culminate in a handmade zine project.

NOTE: This course is held on campus at SVA.

A 3-panel abstract comic printed on the risograph in Orange, Light Teal, and Cornflower, depicting various jagged shapes around a large triangle.

RISO Printing: Art Books and Abstract Comics (FALL 2024)

Course Number: VNC-2371-A
Instructor: Aidan Fitzgerald, Artist, Printer, Poet; Co-Founder, Cold Cube Press
Schedule: Weds., Sept. 25 - Dec. 4
Hours: 6:00-9:30
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

This course is an exploration of the book as a work of art, as well as the formal ideas of abstract comics. The ease of use and the agility of Risograph printing make it the perfect method to execute different ideas in a relatively short amount of time. Students will learn the process of bookmaking from start to finish, and how to work within the limitations of Risograph printing. We will investigate and engage with abstract comics – books of sequential and formally linked drawings, as opposed to narrative-based comics – as well as photography, painting and design. Art books by contemporary artists will be addressed, as well as the history of art books and abstract comics. By the end of the course, each student will have developed distinct editions of art books, as well as a larger, multicolor Riso art book for a final project. This course is for students who are interested in creating art books, as well as those interested in learning a new perspective in making comics.

Tables full of stacks of zines on display, for sale at a fair.

RISO Printing: Zines and Small Publishing (Fall 2024)

Course Number: VNC-2239-A
Instructor: Sarula Bao, Illustrator, Graphic Novelist
Schedule: Mon., Sept. 23 - Nov. 25
Hours: 6:00pm - 9:30 pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

The past few years have seen an explosion of zines and small publishing among artists, designers and photographers. Even the most digitally based creative professionals are embracing the zine as a vital tool for experimentation, collaboration and communication. The Risograph Duplicator has emerged as a medium of choice for zine publishing. This technology fuses analog and digital printing techniques, combining the vibrant colors of silkscreen printing with the speed and automation of digital and offset printing. In this course students will be given a rigorous introduction to this medium and how to use it effectively as a tool for self-publishing. We will explore color, form, layout and pagination, and how to communicate ideas in book form. Class assignments will act as conceptual sparks to point students in new directions. In addition, collaborative projects among classmates will foster creative cross-pollination. Students will complete several zine editions, and discover that producing a simple pamphlet in an edition can be an empowering act—a way of multiplying one’s vision and spreading it out into the world.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

Riso printed illustration showing humans and robots working in a riso studio, printed in pink and blue.

Mini Comics: From the Page to Production (FALL 2024)

Course Number: VNC-2362-A
Instructor: Wren McDonald, Illustrator, Cartoonist
Schedule: Tues., Sept. 24 - Nov. 26, 2024
Hours: 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

The goal of this course is to create Risograph-printed, narrative-based minicomics from start to finish. Students will experiment with writing and drawing short comics, and learn to use Risograph to print and assemble them. Throughout the course they will be challenged to thrive within the limitations of this printing process. Students will also learn to analyze comics not only through written and drawn techniques, but also through color, physicality and printing technique. This course is for students who are interested in creating comics, as well as producing thoughtful, tangible art objects. Students will complete multiple zines; the final project will be a print run of a multicolor, Risograph-printed minicomic.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

Riso printed illustration of a crowded city scene of many figures moving and interacting with robots and other futuristic machinery.

RISO Printing: An Introduction (FALL 2024)

Course Number: VNC-1577-A
Instructor: Wren McDonald, Illustrator, Cartoonist
Schedule: Thurs., Sept. 26 - Dec. 5
Hours: 6:00pm - 9:30 pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

Risograph Duplicator printing technology combines the vibrant spot colors of silkscreen, the high resolution and speedy mass production of offset lithography, and the user-friendly automation of an advanced color copier. These compact machines can function as a print shop in a box. Their ease of use, print quality and low overhead costs make them extremely popular among independent publishers, zine makers, graphic designers, photographers, and others who are interested in making quick and vibrant editions on paper. In this course, students will be given a thorough overview of Risograph printing and its range of printing techniques. Each student will generate a portfolio of various Risograph projects in the form of print editions, zines, cards, promotional fliers, and other printed matter.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

RisoLAB Remote Series: Introduction to Riso Print Design (Fall 2024)

Course Number: VNC-1578-OL
Instructor: Amanda Chung, Designer, Printer, Publisher; Co-Founder, Lucky Risograph
Schedule: Mon., Sept. 30 - Nov. 4
Hours: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (EST)
Details: 6 sessions; 2 CEUs $225
Studio Fee: 0

Course Info

Through online lectures and slide presentations, students will receive technical training in print design for the Risograph process. Feedback and guidance will be given through group and individual critiques. An overview of Risograph printing and its range of printing techniques, as well as examples of Risograph and printmaking-based work will be included. Each student will prepare a portfolio of various Risograph projects in the form of print editions, zines, cards, promotional fliers, and other projects formatted for the Riso print process as well as presentation in digital form.

NOTE: All students with an active registration in this online course will be given free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud. This course is fully online and offered through synchronous sessions during the listed course hours.

Weekend Workshops

A Risograph spewing pink tinted sheets of paper across a gradient landscape

Weekend at the RisoLAB: Limited Color and Layering (FALL 2024)

Course Number: VNC-2252-A
Instructor: Wren McDonald, Illustrator, Cartoonist
Schedule: Sat., Sun.; Sept. 28 – 29
Hours: 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Details: 2 Sessions/$150
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

The basics of spot color Risograph printing and how to layer limited colors for vibrant results will be covered in this workshop. The first session will address the primary functions of the Risograph, and students will create analog prints and prepare digital files for print. In the second session, students will print their digital files. Students will take home 20 copies of their print (two- to three- colors, letter or tabloid size), and a variety of other Riso-printed ephemera. All supplies are provided. Open to all levels.

Note: Please bring a finished design, ready to print, to the first session. This course is held on campus at SVA.

Four depictions of The Dying Gaul, an ancient Roman marble semi-recumbent statue, rendered in vivid colors using different photo manipulation techniques, arranged in a grid

Weekend at the RisoLAB: Photography and Painting (FALL 2024)

Course Number: VNC-2256-A
Instructor: Aidan Fitzgerald, Artist, Designer, Publisher; Co-Founder, Cold Cube Press
Schedule: Sat., Sun.; Oct. 26 – 27
Hours: 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Details: 2 Sessions/$150
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

This workshop will focus on various ways to print photographs and paintings on the Risograph. Students will be guided through the Risograph printing process from conception to print design and production. We will cover halftone and grain touch processing; printing with two- and three-color profiles; and the limitations and possibilities of printing complex images on the Risograph. Each student will complete the course with a print edition on high-quality paper and take home multiple copies of their Riso print, as well as several color charts and other Riso ephemera. All supplies are provided. Open to all levels.

Note: This course is held on campus at SVA.

Open Lab Access

A photo of the Risolab as seen from the main entrance, showing one of the Risograph printers and the central table where students sit.

Fall 2024 RisoLAB Access (Full Semester-Sept. 16 – Dec. 18)

Course Number: VND-ACCESS
Instructor:
Schedule: Sept. 16 - Dec. 18
Hours: Availability based on RisoLAB Schedule
Details:
Studio Fee: $350

Course Info

The RisoLAB is dedicated to the philosophy and practice of independent self-publishing. It provides the opportunity for creative expression, offers an understanding of the print production process, and encourages collaboration in the production and publishing of student projects. RisoLAB access includes use of the Risograph duplicators for self-publishing and printing, as well as small-format bindery tools, paper trimming equipment, inks, tools and resources, along with tech support. Students who wish to work in the Lab must have successfully completed a full semester RisoLAB class or the online course with follow up in-person bootcamp training.

Fall 2024 RisoLAB Access-Half Semester (Sept. 16 – Nov. 3)

Course Number: VND-ACCESS-A7
Instructor:
Schedule: Sept. 16 -Nov. 3
Hours: Availability based on RisoLAB Schedule
Details:
Studio Fee: $225

Course Info

The RisoLAB is dedicated to the philosophy and practice of independent self-publishing. It provides the opportunity for creative expression, offers an understanding of the print production process, and encourages collaboration in the production and publishing of student projects. RisoLAB access includes use of the Risograph duplicators for self-publishing and printing, as well as small-format bindery tools, paper trimming equipment, inks, tools and resources, along with tech support. Students who wish to work in the Lab must have successfully completed RisoLAB’s Risograph training or a Risograph course.

Fall 2024 RisoLAB Access-Half Semester (Oct 28 – Dec. 18)

Course Number: VND-ACCESS-B7
Instructor:
Schedule: Oct. 28 - Dec. 18
Hours: Availability based on RisoLAB Schedule
Details:
Studio Fee: $225

Course Info

In-Progress Courses

A 3-color Color Chart in Mint, Fluorescent Orange, and Bright Olive Green, with 3 different charts showing each 2-color combination.

Advanced Riso Printing

Course Number: VNC-2242-A
Instructor: Aidan Fitzgerald, Artist, Designer, Publisher; Co-Founder, Cold Cube Press
Schedule: Weds., Jun. 5 - Aug. 15
Hours: 6:00-9:30
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $175

Course Info

In this course students will bring their Risograph printing skills to the next level. We will cover how to build custom three- and four-color Riso printing profiles, how to use the physical limitations of the printer to our advantage and how to set up files to avoid printing errors. A deep dive on book layout and production guidelines for Risograph publishing will be included. The course follows a broad trajectory: There will be a few home assignments early on, to get students up to speed on the specifics of Riso printing; then students will develop their own projects and put them into production.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of a Risograph course or open lab.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

RISO Printing: An Introduction

Course Number: VNC-1577-A
Instructor: Wren McDonald, Illustrator, Cartoonist
Schedule: Thurs., Jun. 6 - Aug. 15
Hours: 6:00pm - 9:30 pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $175

Course Info

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

RISO Printing: Illustrative Prints

Course Number: VNC-2385-A
Instructor: Wren McDonald, Illustrator, Cartoonist
Schedule: Tues., Jun. 4 - Aug. 6
Hours: 6:00pm - 9:30pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $175

Course Info

This course explores many ways that Risograph printing can be used to create vibrant, illustrative prints. We will examine printing techniques and apply them to various illustration prompts to create a striking portfolio of work. There will be a strong focus on Risograph operations, including changing drums, manipulating print settings, color registration and how to achieve the best possible print results. Analog and digital demos will be covered: printing techniques, Adobe Photoshop file setup, zine basics, and more. Students will discover how to use a variety of palettes, textures and paper to get the best results for this type of work. The formal and conceptual factors to make a successful illustration, and how to best apply them to the medium, will be addressed. Open to students at all levels.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.

RisoLAB Remote Series: Introduction to Riso Print Design (Fall 2024)

Course Number: VNC-1578-OL
Instructor: Amanda Chung, Designer, Printer, Publisher; Co-Founder, Lucky Risograph
Schedule: Mon., Sept. 30 - Nov. 4
Hours: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (EST)
Details: 6 sessions; 2 CEUs $225
Studio Fee: 0

Course Info

Upper image: Students surrounding RisoLAB instructor Panayiotis Terzis as he explains the Riso process. Lower image: a selection of instructional materials spread out on a table.

RISO Printing: Zines and Small Publishing

Course Number: VNC-2239-A
Instructor: Sarula Bao, Illustrator, Graphic Novelist
Schedule: Mon., Sept. 23 - Nov. 25
Hours: 6:00pm - 9:30 pm
Details: 10 sessions / 3.5 CEUs $525
Studio Fee: $200

Course Info

Signup link will be active once course registration is open.

NOTE: This course is held on-site at SVA and includes access to the RisoLAB.