CHAOS MEETS: MATTEO COLLINA

Kicking off our CHAOS MEETS series we have italian artist, Matteo Collina. Matteo also joins us for our artist collaboration series as they deliver 3 amazing designs aspart of our 'Psychedelic Therapy' AW23 collection. The first releases from the collection will be dropping 07/12

CHAOS: Who are you, what’s your name and where are you from?

Hello! I’m Matteo, a self-taught freelance graphic designer from Cesena (Italy) specialized in merch design and grungy-punk style artworks.

CHAOS: Can you talk me through a day in the life of Matteo Collina? How did you start out with your design work and at what point did you decide to take the plunge and go full-time freelance?

It might sound silly, but I got into design because of myspace! Back in 2007/2008 I was very into that social network, It was the best way for me to make friends and discover new music so I used to spend way too much time on It. Since I wanted my profile to be the coolest In the game I downloaded photoshop and took some online lesson so I could make cool layouts for me and my friends. After a couple of years doing that, I started taking commissions from local bands for myspace layouts but also album covers and merchandise, that was all I loved doing the most at the time.

With the working age starting to kick in though I had to find a proper job cause I wasn’t making any money, so I started working for my first ever agency and put everything else aside. At the time I barely knew what a graphic designer was, but I was happy because they were giving me a chance and I decided to take things seriously.

Since then, I’ve worked full time for different agencies and design studios and learned pretty much everything about design, but there was something that never felt quite right. I wasn’t really interested in pursuing a career as graphic designer, at least not in the way everyone intended, I would always prefer to make flyers for local DIY shows or design the album cover of a band I like.

So recently, after several years questioning my self about my future I decided to quit my full-time job and go freelance and it’s so far the best decision I ever made! Now I feel more in control of my life and since I have more free time I’m managing to get back to the things I love the most. It won’t be always easy of course, but I feel like It will worth the effort.

CHAOS: Who and what influences your work?

Music is definitely the main one! Music is what motivates me to do pretty much everything I do in my life and is what’s I’m most grateful for. I like to think that my designs are heavily influenced by my music background and therefore are somehow unique!

Music aside, there are a lot of things that I like and that play a role part in my style: nature, horror and gothic movies, linocut print and primitive/ancient illustrations are some of them.

CHAOS: Are there any brands you have worked with that we should check out?

I actually had a brand clothing my self in 2012 called “Forget the Rain”, We released few collections and then put the project on hold (permanently) due to conflicts between me and my co-owner. There may be still something online to look at but I think it didn’t age well haha

CHAOS: What's the key to a healthy work/life balance?

I feel like I’m still figuring out haha

Seriously though, I think rules and organization are fundamental but also being easy on yourself if someday you don’t feel inspired or in the mood. Creative works are though and not yet fully understood, so It’s important to trust you guts and to create yourself the space to be relaxed and efficient.

CHAOS: Have you got any advice for fellow creatives who aim to become self-employed with their work?

I’m new to the freelance world, but I can already say that nothing comes from nothing. You have to be extra brave and confident about what you offer to the world (humanly and professionally) so take some time to figure what kind of designer you are and who are the clients of your dreams and don’t be scared to reach them out and ask for collaborations. I promise that there’s nothing you won’t be able to do.

CHAOS: Brands you hope to work with in the future?

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind starting a clothing brand again, and maybe buy a screen printing machine so I can make it 100% DIY. We’ll see..

CHAOS: Is there a project you've worked on that stands out as being your favourite?

I recently completed a 30 days poster challenge and I think some of the posters I designed during this month are my favorite piece of work to date. Also the work I’ve done for my friend artist named “Nuhell” is a classic one and something I’m really proud of. Last but not least the collection I designed for Chaos in Cosmos.. So sick! <3

CHAOS: What makes Matteo happy?

I love To Play gigs with my bands, book DIY shows, spend time in nature and with the few people I like and work on fun projects for bands/brands and this is all I need right now.

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