Jonathan Calugi is a graphic designer from Pistoia, Italy. Through his emails, one can see that he is a really friendly guy and enthusiastic about his artworks. That’s not all, he even called his website Happy Lovers Town because he wants to spread love through his art. A noble idea, nontheless. While not designing t-shirt or playing Lego at home, Jonathan makes music with his emo electro band, In A Smile For Timbuctu. Thanks to Jonathan for answering these questions.

Q. Hi, how are you?
A. I’m fine, thanks.

Q. Can you tell us about your background. Do you have any formal education in graphic design?
A. My background is quite strange, and I did not have any formal training in graphic design. I like to draw fun stuff and spend time with music and color. I fall in love with graphic design 3 years ago.

Q. Where do you find inspiration? Who or what inspires you?
A. From ‘In Timbuctu City’ . From my friends and from inside my head. I also get my inspiration while listening to In A Smile For Timbuctu (Jonathan, is that your band? Cool!) . And from Love Idea.

Q. You mention Timbuctu City as your inspiration. Is Timbuctu City your hometown?
A. No, ‘In Timbuctu City’ is the title very nice song. I live near Florence (in Pistoia) while Simone and Cristiano live in Florence. We have a really god red wine here. And I love it.

Q. Is ‘In A Smile For Timbuctu’ your band? What instrument did you play? Are you straight edge?
A. Yeah it’ s our band, me, Simone Brillarelli, and Cristiano Crisci, I’m not the main songwriter / composer in the group and we have been friends since long time ago. For the last ten years we do Rap Music and now are into emo electro music. Lovely project.

Q. What is your favorite medium? Do you have any distinctive style?
A. My favorite media is paper. I love paper. I love low budget project. I did not have any particular style because I think I’m still young and still inexperience. Maybe in future I hope I can developed my own unique style.

Q. Have you done any exhibition or collaboration with other artist?
A. I have a continuous collaboration project with a smile for timbuctu (check us out), collaboration project with a street artist Brand Gold and other collaboration with local artist.

Q. Is Brand Gold a clothing brand?
A. Goldworld.it and Yourstreetdealer.com is a project by our friend Omar Rashid. He owns 3 shops in Florence. He is a really great guy and he have gathered a group of creative people and starts this project called project GOLD. Stay tune because in the future we might invade your town with our colorful stickers.

Q. Your artworks remind me of Emil Kozak, especially the color and font type. Have you guys meet each other or collaborate at some point?
A. Yes I know, many people say very same thing and it’s true. Emil is a really talented guy and I love all his artworks. He does influence me and his style is so cool. I think his brother is cool & talented too and I hope you will get the chance to see his artworks.

Q. Do you work as a full time designer or is it just a hobby?
A. Yes it’s my full time job. But when I’m free I prefer to spend my time playing with Lego and Playmobil. Argggggg wish I was a kid again.

Q. What are the tools and softwares that you always used to produce your artworks?
A. I use Adobe illustrator, Photoshop, printer, scanner, cutter, scissor, glue, pongo uniposca marker, etc ….

Q. Who are some of the people you would like to meet or work with?
A. I like to meet many people… I love to do collaboration because you can exchange ideas with each other and It will give you an idea to do a new project.

Q. Any last words?
A. Enjoy and spread love. Visit my website and download my font and use it with love. Go to A Smile For Timbuctu myspace and listen to their music and dance! Viva Maradona.

Website : http://www.happyloverstown.eu

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