rookie

How long have you been printing?

As a team Ink different started printing at the end of 2014.

Describe your first encounter with letterpress

Paula: My first encounter “live” with letterpress was at the International Art School “Il Bisonte” in Firenze around 2014 after meeting Nino who was working in the school. I was completely enchanted and amazed when I first arrived to the lab and saw all those drawers full of type. I wanted to touch them all, I wanted to have them all! By this time I already knew the technique through the work of Alan Kitching.
Nino: My first encounter with letterpress was at the International Art School “Il Bisonte” in Firenze in 2011. I was fascinated straight away by the type drawers and the presses, and by the story of them all.
Mathieu: My first encounter with letterpress was at the International Art School “Il Bisonte” in Firenze in 2014.

Where did you learn?

Paula: Still learning while printing at the Lab with our team Ink Different.
Nino: At the International Art School “Il Bisonte”

Who was your most influential teacher?

Nino: Vincenzo Burlizzi great typographer and engraver.

Do you prefer to work alone or with others?

Paula: For me it depends on what stage of the creative process you are. I think that collaborating with others is a must and you can learn a lot. But at the very beginning when I’m putting together concepts, imaginary or whatsoever, I prefer to work alone. Then it’s perfect to work with others to exchange those ideas and usually something better come from that collaboration.
Nino: it depends on the circumstances, if there’s a beer inbetween I prefer to work with others.

When do your best ideas occur to you?

Paula: Always when I’m doing something other than trying to find an idea.
Nino: Having dinner.

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

Paula: Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk
Nino: Semplicità. I'm slim, I think a sans serif could be good for me
Sono magro credo che un “bastoni” mi starebbe bene…
Mathieu: Garamond

What tool do you use more often than any other?

Paula: computer
Nino: Proof press and copperplate press
Tirabozze e torchio calcografico
Mathieu: computer

What books are currently on your nightstand?

Paula: The Second sex from Simone de Beauvoir, L’énigme du retour of Dany Lafferrière.
Nino: Sei proprio il mio typo and a lot of others. I use my nightstand as a library.
Mathieu: Mouvement of Philippe Sollers, Machiavel œuvre.

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

Nino: Proof press and copperplate press, lead and wood types and more
Tirabozze, type drawers with metal and wooden type, torchio calcografico and more.

When and where are you the happiest?

Paula: by the sea with wine and good company.

What do you think is useful about what you make?

Paula: that it makes the world less uglier.
Nino: to share with others the same interest.

What’s your day job?

Paula: Graphic designer
Nino: Art teacher
Mathieu: Writer

Do you use any other techniques or media besides letterpress?

Paula: almost 90% of everything I do is digital
Nino: copperplate, lito, xilography, printscreen and sculpture.
Calcografia, litografia, xilografia, serigrafia e scultura.
Mathieu: literature