My first question was, "Is there a job case for every state?" I wasn't sure if instructor Maia just didn't want to deal with me, the super heady questioning type of student, or if there really wasn't an answer... until now. Turns out the reason why it's called a California Job Case is a mystery even after you read the article I just linked to. I spent three hours last night setting four lines of type, sigh. Well, actually the first hour was a lot of talking about what we're going to learn and the job we'll create, which turns out to be a little book of quotes. And, as it happens, there was homework. Swell, first class starts with homework. I signed up early and my phone call was a short, simple, here's my credit card kind of transaction - no mention of homework. All the other students had been informed of the project and had come with their brilliant quotes in tow. Fortunately my fab "lifeline" lil' sister and beau were home when I called and quick with the suggestions. For the first quote I'm going with Oscar Wilde. I quickly scanned the room's cases and the type choice came easy, Palantino all caps at 16pt. It looks sophisticated but the serifs and caps make it a wee bit quirky. "ANYONE WHO LIVES WITHIN THEIR MEANS SUFFERS FROM A LACK OF IMAGINATION" I then struggled thinking I could find the perfect whimsical italic for the author line which when juxtaposed with the caps would say "Wilde" without actually saying it. But the Center for the Book only has a few font faces and within those, many only have a few random sizes. None felt right. I then searched every drawer looking for a dingbat, image or abstract shape that would inspire me or even just work with the quote and type size...NADA. I've since then decided to use a chrysanthemum floral polymer plate as a wallpaper background which I designed during the letterpress II class I took in August. That should give it a little texture and flamboyant interest while leaving all the umfph to the actual quote. I now had fifteen minutes to set my next quote, so ya, you bet I choose a short one by Pablo Picasso. "ART IS LIES" set in 72 point Michelangelo with one word on each line, left justified and the remaining text "THAT TELL THE TRUTH" set in 12pt horizontally centered to the right of the "IS". I didn't get it all done by 10 o'clock, so I'll be showing up early next wednesday evening to squeeze copper strips in between the lead spacers and hopefully keep my place in line for a two color job. As always, a late night was hard to manage the next morning, but then there's that creative after-glow I always enjoy. ah.