On 3 June 2023, the Now23 conference will take place in Paris. On that day, more than a dozen graphic lecturers, artistic directors and type designers are expected. Join to attend talks by international speakers around graphic design, web design, motion design, publishing, visual identity, communication and type design. If not already done, register now to take advantage of the best rates.
It seemed interesting to us to make you discover the profiles of our guests. Discover LaTigre's interview.
Biography LaTigre is a graphic design studio founded and directed by Luisa Milani and Walter Molteni, an internationally recognized creative duo and AGI member. The studio has been constantly and tirelessly searching for multiform and kaleidoscopic visual languages since 2009. The main features of their formal research are synthesis and a vibrant use of color where the boundary between abstract and figurative often dissolves. In recent years the studio has collaborated on an ongoing basis with Abitare, Apple, Bitossi Home, Bulgari, Living – Corriere della Sera, MaxMara, New York Times, Wired USA, and many others.
Interview
What is your favourite way to start a day?
LaTigre I love practice yoga very early in the morning, and then the thing I love the most is having breakfast with my family while chatting with my daughter about dreams we had in the night. When I sit down at my desk I check emails and news.
Where are you working?
LaTigre We have a studio quite close to home, we like a lot go there, we feel more focused and we have all our tools there, and it’s a moment to meet with the team.
“Be spontaneous, be yourself in every aspect of the process, but never forget the context you are moving into.”
– LaTigre
Have your work habits changed notably after the lockdown and the later pandemic restrictions?
LaTigre I feel more flexible and I discover I can break the routine and that this is a great thing for the mind! We work from home 1 - 2 days per week, this have never happened before, we used to have a very strictly routine.
Listening to music at work?
LaTigre we listen to a lot of music! Walter is the music director of the studio, he chooses different kind of music in relation to his mood of the day more than the type of activity. We used to love punk rock when we were in our twenties and now we listen to much more type like experimental pop, ambient, lo-fi, post-punk, new wave…
What is the best way to work? In a team, alone?
LaTigre It depends from the project but the most of the time I like to work in team because it’s a kind of layering process. Ideas start in a form and then magic happens, they are carved by different minds until they take on another form. I love this part, is the most interesting and enjoyable one of the design process.
You prefer san-serif or serif typefaces？
LaTigre San-serif typefaces are more versatile in order to match a contemporary esthetic. We love working with serif typefaces too because we like creating contrast with bold graphics and vibrant use of colors.
As a user of type, are you always on the lookout for new typefaces?
LaTigre Definitely yes, we are always in the lookout for new typefaces even if during time we selected our favorite ones. We are interested in find new ones for our list, this means to say we like to find typefaces that will last in our work.
“A good designer gives correct answers to questions, you have to understand the context and move trough it in your personal way of being.”
– LaTigre
Was The Abracadabra tableware collection a new challenge to do this kind of design off paper?
LaTigre The main challenge was to work on the format of the plates, it has been a kind of exercise in style on the round form. It was amazing, really a lot of fun, it’s one of my favourite projects.
It is quite rare to see graphic designers imagine products, what can you told about this?
LaTigre We see ourselves like authors too not only as a ‘service’ so we are working in this direction.
Do you remember when you decided to pursue your career in design?
LaTigre I do remember when I was around 6 I used to repack tissues for my mum and grandma e redesign the packaging. I had a toy kitchen and my favourite game was design food packages to put in the shelf. When I was 10 my favourite game was design imaginary house plan and I dreamt for years to become an interior architect. Then I lost these plans and suddenly when I had to choose my studies, graphic design chose me, it sang for me like a mermaid and so here I am!
“I like to work in team because it’s a kind of layering process. Ideas start in a form and then magic happens, they are carved by different minds until they take on another form.”
– LaTigre
Do you have words of wisdom for young practitioners?
LaTigre A good designer gives correct answers to questions, you have to understand the context and move trough it in your personal way of being.
What the message you would like to convey during your Now23 talk?
LaTigre Be spontaneous, be yourself in every aspect of the process, but never forget the context you are moving into.
Thank you very much, LaTigre!
– Interview by Yi Shen
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