Gabriel Miranda rookie

How long have you been printing?

Since 2014, when I started to collaborate with Oficina Tipográfica São Paulo (Otsp).

Describe your first encounter with letterpress

I believe it was when I was living in London in 2013, during a guided visit to the London Center for Book Arts.

Where did you learn?

At Oficina Tipográfica São Paulo, working with and observing typography masters such as Pérsio Guimarães and Marcos Mello. Being curious and having great interest and a self-teaching personality were key to learn this amazing craft.

Who was your most influential teacher?

I had the privilege to be around some experienced Brazilian printers during my time at Otsp. And also Marcos Mello, who encouraged me and has been an important influence to the way I see and explore letterpress now.

What super power would you like to have?

To absorb knowledge at the snap of a finger.

Do you prefer to work alone or with others?

Most of the time alone, but it is also nice to work with different people from time to time to exchange knowledge.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty.

When do your best ideas occur to you?

When I’m walking and exploring different places. In other words, every time I have nowhere to write them down.

If you were to die and come back as a typeface, which would it be?

It's hard to choose only one, but maybe one that has a lot of opentype features.

What tool do you use more often than any other?

My hands.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

The Rebel by Albert Camus and On the Road by Jack Kerouac.

If you could study with any printer throughout history, who would it be?

Eugene Feldman.

If you have your own shop, what equipment do you own?

Two platen presses, a Feva proof press (similar to a Vandercook proof press), one A3 proof press and an Oswego guillotine.

What do you think is useful about what you make?

I just do stuff without thinking too much about what others will think... but I also like to think that my work awakens different feelings in others and has an impact beyond my knowledge.

Do you use any other techniques or media besides letterpress?

Spray, stencil, collage, digital…