Studio iknoki

What is the story of Studio iknoki ? FG: Hi katalog, we are Francesco and Christian. We have known each other since college and immediately we started working together on different types of project. Then after graduation, we decided to create our own studio. From the beginning, there was a kind of alchemy between us, we shared a common vision of design, even though we come from different backgrounds. We are above all good friends sharing a lot, even outside the studio. CJ: Indeed, we met on the very first day of college and since then we have never stopped working together. This means a lot to us. At the beginning we were three, we used to collaborate with a good friend of ours, Francesco. We shared with him the first milestones of our practice as graphic designers. At that time, right after graduation, we were more involved in a research-oriented practice focused on some self-published editorial projects. That was a truly inspiring time for us and we have learnt a lot about different crucial aspects of graphic designer's work.

Do you have a particular work ethics ? FG: We try to develop a simple but not simplistic design, to make it as accessible and clear as possible. We don't have a predefined style. We think that is more important to develop our approach of design and improve the different aspects of our working process. But usually typography plays a crucial role in our work. CJ: I think that what we can do ethically as graphic designers, is mainly developing a deep understanding of our society, as well as the tools and the media we constantly use to spread informations. This is the main reason we consider research as an essential tool. Our society is 'shaped' by design, it has a real influence on every single aspect of our lives as individuals or as a community. Graphic designers, despite the fact that their work is totally ignored most of the time, could have a true impact on our society without this lack of consideration.

Do you feel there is a particular Italian style nowadays ? CJ: Italy has such a great history and a strong culture of graphic design. We can count many exhibitions and publications both in Italy and abroad. I don't know if I can say that nowadays an Italian style still exists, maybe because there is not enough time to take a global view… Personally, I think that despite the legitimacy of the past generations, Italian academic institutions specialized in graphic design are developing slowly, compared to other countries. For me they are still too much disconnected from the reality of our society. This development is however a good context for the whole new generation of graphic designers in Italy — that we admire a lot — trying to define new forms for the profession.

What are your stimulations outside design ? CJ: I don't think I have any stimulations disconnected from design, in the sense that whatever interests me (illustrations, contemporary art, movies, books, music…) has a design-oriented perspective and point of view. Stimulations are everywhere and they always influence my work in a way or another. FG: For me Jiu Jitsu is a great source of inspiration ! Interview conducted in November 2015 ©ktlg