To be "post-synthetic" is to move beyond the limitations of contemporary synthesis by embracing and utilizing historical tools, techniques, and processes alongside emerging technologies. This philosophy values the inherent functionality and craftsmanship of traditional methods, not as relics to be reinterpreted, but as living practices that remain vital when integrated with modern innovations such as AI, 3D printing, and UX/UI design. The goal is not to reinterpret history but to preserve and expand its utility, forging new methods and materials that honor the continuum of human creativity while pushing artistic and technological boundaries forward.
Beyond Synthesis
Advocation for a progression beyond simply combining elements of the old and new. Interpret it as a call for creating something novel by revisiting and reimagining historical processes within modern frameworks.
Fusion with Depth
It is a deliberate, thoughtful integration of historical and modern practices—where the past informs the future, not just decorates it like a mask.
Critical of the Current Paradigm
A critique of the stagnation in art, design, and culture, suggesting that we are stuck in repetitive cycles of blending without innovation and need to push past this point.
Rejection of Pure Novelty
A rejection of innovation for its own sake (to an extent). It can be interpreted as an appreciation for grounded, historically aware creativity, where tools and methods are reused and recycled meaningfully.
Post-Synthetic In Practice
Printmaking with Digital Augmentation
Use a vintage letterpress to produce physical prints while incorporating designs created through AI-generated imagery or algorithmic patterns. The AI acts as a design collaborator, but the physical press emphasizes the tactile and mechanical aspects of traditional printmaking.
Interactive Tarot Cards or Games
Design a deck of tarot cards where the illustrations are hand-carved linocuts or woodcuts, printed using traditional methods. Incorporate augmented reality (AR) features into the cards, allowing viewers to use a smartphone to reveal animations, meanings, or interpretations.
Restoration and Repurposing with Digital Enhancements
Restore and reuse antique tools or machinery (such as a manually operated printing press) by adding digital monitoring components or sensors that enhance precision or productivity without compromising the machine’s original operation.
Bookbinding with Modern Customization
Hand-bind books using centuries-old techniques but personalize covers or layouts with 3D-printed embossing plates or laser-etched designs. Digital typography tools allow for custom typefaces, but the final product remains rooted in traditional craftsmanship.
Prototyping Objects Using Traditional Mold-Making and 3D Printing
Create a ceramic object by hand-casting it in a plaster mold, then refine details with a 3D-printed tool or implement subtle design features generated digitally. Alternatively, use a 3D scanner to digitize a historical artifact and produce variations that can be made using traditional casting techniques.
Wearable Art with Historical Techniques
Create a line of jewelry or wearable art using medieval forging or enameling techniques while integrating modern materials like flexible OLED displays or conductive threads.