Fab Lab South West technician Matt Holmes awarded European scholarship for international typography residency in Italy
In June 2025, Arts University Plymouth’s Fab Lab South West Technician and practice-based PhD researcher Matt Holmes was awarded the European scholarship place on TipoItalia, a prestigious two-week residency at the Tipoteca Italiana Fondazione in Cornuda, Italy. The programme brought together 12 participants from across the globe to explore Italian type design, letterpress printing, and digital type revivals under the guidance of internationally renowned tutors.
A competitive international opportunity
Selected as the sole European scholarship recipient for 2025, Matt joined fellow designers, printers and educators from the USA, Brazil, Germany, the Czech Republic, Australia and the UK. The residency, now in its fourth year, is organised by a team of US-based letterpress printmakers and offers only two fully funded places annually – one for a US-based student and one for a Europe-based student.
Based in Tipoteca’s extensive museum, archive and print shop, participants examined historic Italian wood and metal type, learning the art of “reviving” lost letterforms using specialist design software. Alongside creating a personal digital type revival, Matt contributed to group printing projects, producing type specimens and hand-bound books for the museum’s collection.
“I was like a kid in a sweet shop – hundreds of drawers of type, incredible presses, and the chance to work alongside people who really understand the craft. It was overwhelming in the best way possible,” said Matt.
Immersed in the world of letterpress
The experience also included rare access to Tipoteca’s library of over 5,000 historic volumes, type specimens and technical manuals, including handling a page from a genuine Gutenberg Bible, and guided trips to Venice and Verona to study calligraphy, signwriting, and rare books in public collections.
Matt’s type revival project, Frizzante, was inspired by bold, open-character wood type blocks from Tipoteca’s archive. The name reflects his light-hearted approach to the design process, and the abundance of sparkling water and prosecco enjoyed during the residency.
“To spend two weeks immersed in all things type was the hit of energy I needed,” he reflected. “It reminded me exactly why I’m doing my work and research – because it’s awesome fun, and there’s always more to learn.”
How you could follow in Matt’s footsteps
Students at Arts University Plymouth have direct access to the same Fab Lab South West digital fabrication facilities where Matt develops his research, alongside the Imprint Lab and specialist print studios equipped for screen-printing, typesetting, CNC routing, 3D printing and more. This environment supports creative pathways from undergraduate degrees such as BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking and BA (Hons) Graphic Design, through to postgraduate study, including MA Fine Art, MA Design (Communication) and MA Museum Studies.
Opportunities like TipoItalia are supported by the university’s commitment to knowledge exchange, creative research and international collaboration. Students can benefit from travel bursaries, global networks and the guidance of technical staff and academics who are themselves active practitioners.
Discover how you could access world-class printmaking and digital fabrication facilities – book an Open Day or explore our courses today.
Sharing skills and inspiring future makers
Matt’s participation in TipoItalia reflects Arts University Plymouth’s commitment to supporting staff in developing internationally significant creative practice and research. As part of the Fab Lab South West team, Matt will continue to share his expertise with students across disciplines, bridging heritage printmaking traditions with cutting-edge digital fabrication.
“I don’t necessarily think of myself as a printer – more ‘print adjacent’ – but experiences like this prove how valuable it is to step outside your comfort zone. That’s where the most exciting work happens.”