Calgary

There is an art to typewriting, says ACAD instructor

In the age of smart phones and tablets it may be rare, but the typewriter is back in at least one classroom at the Alberta College of Art and Design.

Derek Beaulieu explains why he's making his students write their assignments on old-fashioned typewriters

Teaching the typewriter

9 years ago
Duration 1:53
The typewriter is back for at least one class at the Alberta College of Art and Design.

In the age of smart phones and tablets it may be rare, but the typewriter is back in at least one classroom at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD).

But it's not being used in the traditional way. 

  • Video journalist Terri Trembath shows us the "art of typewriting" in the video above.

Instructor Derek Beaulieu says he wanted to ask what happens when students start thinking about typewriting as something artistic.

"I'm having students handing in things that they say, 'I'm not really sure if this is writing or not,'' he said.

"That's what I want to hear because if you're not sure then it challenges how we read, how we produce, how we understand."

Whether it's traditional typing or tedious creations of art, there is one understanding that stands the test of time — mistakes are frustrating.

"It's ridiculous," said student Del Taylor- Ryan. "You never think you'd pay attention to the letter 'A' so much in your life but you're thinking what letter do I need to press next."

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