Interview with MATTHEW COOPER
“Looking at abstract art often gives me composition ideas, and I also play word association with myself”
Please tell us about your works besides Domino. (for example..illustration for BBC) What are you working on right now?
Aside from my work for Domino I still work as an illustrator. You'd probably describe my work as collage or mixed media - with a strong graphic base. I particularly enjoy introducing letter forms into my work, which incorporates photographic, painted and collaged elements. My latest commissions have been for a US Christian magazine and a BBC Focus magazine article about gambling- always something different!
In the world of music, outside of Domino I have worked with some other bands, notably Caribou, Nine Black Alps and currently Chapel Club.
When you create where do you always go for inspiration, and how do you visualize your idea?
If I'm in need of inspiration, at the moment I like to look at Herbert Spencer's Typographica magazine from the 50s and 60s. Looking at abstract art often gives me composition ideas, and I also play word association with myself, make notes and sketch ideas (always in pencil) in a work book.
What is your favorite font?
I don't have one particular favourite font but at the moment I find myself drawn to Akzidenz-Grotesk.
I loved the interchangeable typeface based on Bruno Munari's 'ABC con Fantasia' game that we created for the latest Four Tet records. I've also been looking for any excuse to use my 6 year old daughter's handwriting - I recently used it on some adverts for Quasi.
What is your favorite color?
Duck egg blue and deep burnt red.
What is your favorite material?
Sometimes the blank, stained and aged endpapers torn from old books, at other times extremely high gloss paper.
Is there anything you'd like to try in future?
I'd like to design fireworks displays and try some animation.
