Jonathan Pierini on Type Design, Graphic Design Education, and Progetto Grafico

Jonathan Pierini, director of ISIA Urbino and editor of Progetto Grafico, discusses his career trajectory from type design at Dalton Maag to leading Italy's only graphic design magazine. He emphasizes a trans-disciplinary approach for Progetto Grafico, moving beyond niche graphic design to engage with visual studies and political relevance. Pierini describes his typographic projects, including the Parmigianino Typographic System with Riccardo Olocco and a custom font for Fondazione MAST in Bologna with Leonardo Sonnoli. He reflects on the role of graphic design in an era of user-generated content, advocating for design as 'public writing' rather than mere promotion. Current projects include an international competition for ISIA's new website (with Mevis and Van Deursen, Norm, Zerodotzero), a 120-meter installation for IMAB, and research on post-war Italian design history, specifically Albe Steiner's work for Giancarlo De Carlo and Dolcini's for Carlo Aymonino. Pierini also explores a writing project using modular PVC grids titled 'Che farò senza Euridice?'.