CODEX: Bridging digital and print to express identity

In a world where young people engage with both the digital and traditional realms of self-expression, CODEX offers a creative bridge between these spaces. This project, a collaboration between Sidmouth College students and Sidmouth School of Art, explores themes of identity, personal storytelling, and emotional well-being through the fusion of digital media and traditional printmaking. Led by digital artist Sam Eyre and printmaker Emma Molony, CODEX provides students with the opportunity to express their personal narratives and creative voices in innovative ways.

Inspired by The Thamesmead Codex by Bob and Roberta Smith, CODEX invited students to experiment with typography, photography, gelli plate printing, and digital composition. The project’s central aim was to create a dynamic environment where students could explore their identities and emotional journeys through art. By working with these diverse techniques, they were able to build a contemporary visual language that was as personal as it was creative.

Art as a ‘voice’ for young people

At its core, CODEX is about empowering young people to find their voice through art in real life where self-expression is increasingly shaped by digital experiences. The project aimed to provide a platform for students to reflect on their identities, emotions, and personal stories while engaging with both traditional and contemporary art forms. In an age of growing societal pressures — ranging from social-media influences to academic stress — art serves as a vital outlet for young people to process and communicate their feelings.

By engaging in experimental techniques and risk-taking, CODEX encouraged students to push boundaries in their work, helping them develop confidence in their artistic abilities. This process of creative exploration allowed students not only to express themselves, but also to deepen an understanding of how their emotions and experiences can be translated into visual forms. Moreover, the project provided an opportunity for students to connect with others, reinforcing the idea that their stories mattered and were worthy of being heard.

A creative fusion of disciplines

One of the most exciting aspects of CODEX was its blending of two distinct artistic disciplines: traditional printmaking and digital design. Sam and Emma brought their respective expertise into the project, giving students the chance to explore both hands-on, tactile techniques and the precision of digital tools. Through workshops on gelli plate printing, students engaged in a creative process that emphasized texture, layering, and experimentation. This blend offered them a fresh way to produce visual depth in their work.

In addition to printmaking, students worked with digital media to manipulate text and images. By combining these two techniques, they learned how to merge the tactile, physical elements of printmaking with the flexibility and precision of digital design. This cross-disciplinary approach broadened the students' technical skill sets and enriched understanding of how different artistic mediums can coexist and enhance one another. The resulting artworks, which seamlessly integrated both traditional and digital elements, exemplified the potential for innovation within arts education.

A timely project for a changing world

The CODEX project comes at a critical moment in the lives of many young people, particularly given the challenges they face in the digital age. Pressures stemming from social media, academic expectations, and global uncertainties can often leave young people struggling to find meaning, connection, and a sense of belonging. Through the creative process, CODEX offered a safe, supportive environment, plus an experimental culture to find what works - integrated with the space to reflect on their personal journeys and explore their identities.  

The project also addressed the growing need for mental health support and well-being for young people. Art, as a form of self-expression, has long been recognized for its therapeutic benefits, and CODEX harnessed this power to help students explore their emotions and understand their own stories. By encouraging students to create works that reflected their individual experiences, the project allowed them to process their feelings and to share them with a wider audience.

Exhibiting students' work in public spaces

CODEX culminated in two unique public exhibitions: Sidmouth Wallspace and the Telephone Box Micro Museums. Sidmouth Wallspace, a 3m high x 6m wide gallery billboard overlooking a car park by the sea, provided an open, accessible space for students to showcase their work. The Telephone Box Micro Museums, on the other hand, offered an unconventional exhibition experience by repurposing old red telephone boxes into intimate viewing spaces. These public-facing displays were integral to the project, reinforcing the idea that young people’s voices deserve to be heard in the wider community.

The exhibitions allowed students to share their work and also created an opportunity for public dialogue. Visitors could engage with the artwork, connect with the students' stories, and reflect on their own experiences. This element of public engagement further underscored the importance of young people’s perspectives and emphasized the project’s goal of fostering a sense of belonging and confidence through creative expression.

Looking forward: expanding CODEX beyond Sidmouth

The success of CODEX in Sidmouth has already shown its potential to inspire and empower students. Sidmouth School of Art plans to expand the project across Devon, engaging more schools and young artists in future iterations. As a pilot funded by Arts Council England, CODEX has demonstrated how blending digital and traditional media can create a rich and engaging learning experience that not only teaches technical skills but also encourages personal growth and self-expression.

CODEX provides a unique approach to arts education, one that emphasizes collaboration, experimentation, and student-led storytelling. By bringing together the tactile nature of printmaking with the flexibility of digital design, the project offers students the tools they need to explore their identities and share their stories. In doing so, CODEX celebrates creativity and reinforces the importance of adaptability and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of arts education.

Looking ahead, Sidmouth School of Art’s vision for CODEX is to seek funding to scale up the approach to grow and evolve, to bring its messages of creativity, collaboration and community to more young people across Devon and upskill teachers to widen its reach.  The project has already empowered students to explore their emotions and identities through art, and by expanding it to other schools, CODEX has the potential to make a lasting impact on future generations of young artists. Through this project, young people are not just learning about art; they are learning how to use art as a tool for self-expression, connection, empowered through public platforms, valued in their community, telling their stories through art and also through the medium of film about the process.  

Conclusion

In today’s rapidly changing world, projects like CODEX are more important than ever. By fusing traditional and digital techniques, CODEX offers students a creative outlet that is both contemporary and deeply personal. The project empowers students to express themselves and bridges the gap between the digital world and the tactile, physical world of printmaking. Through art, young people can explore their identities, reflect on their experiences, and connect with others in ways that are meaningful and impactful. As CODEX continues to evolve, it remains a powerful example of how art education can inspire, empower, and transform lives.

About the authors

Sam Eyre is an artist, educator, and Head of Creative Arts Academy at Coombeshead Academy, Newton Abbot, Devon. With 23 years of teaching experience, he leads art community networks and serves as PGCE subject lead for SWIFT, the South West Institute for Teaching, fostering creativity and education across the region.

Emma Molony is an artist and designer based in East Devon. She specializes in printmaking, having trained in Venice, and works as Projects Officer at Double Elephant Print Workshop. She delivers workshops in diverse settings, pioneers mental health-focused printmaking initiatives, and collaborates with heritage and arts institutions on creative residencies.

Images

1 (Header) & 4. Student's CODEX artworks displayed at Sidmouth Wallspace.

2 & 3. Student's CODEX artworks displayed in Telephone Box Micro Museums, Sidmouth.

Photography by Sarah Hall  |  sarahhallphotography.co.uk 

Find out more about the CODEX project

Contact details of Sidmouth School of Art  |  [javascript protected email address]

CODEX project  |  sidmouthart.org/projects/smart-projects/codex-digital-and-print-project

CODEX film | youtube.com/watch?v=SETTHRvReAo&t=33s

Sidmouth Wallspace | sidmouthart.org/projects/wallspace/codex

Telephone Box Micro Museums | sidmouthart.org/projects/smart-projects/micro-museum-of-contemporary-art/codex-digital-and-print