Hello Fluo!

Hello Fluo is a collection of creative coding visuals printed in Quadrifluox® and curated by Mekit Studio and 70magenta. Traditionally, code and print belong to distinct spheres. The Hello Fluo project counters this, offering a unique blend of digital and analogue technologies where coded visuals are created on computers and translated onto paper using a traditional offset printing press.

Quadrifluox® is a mixture of fluorescent inks that can be used in offset printing to replace the traditional CMYK primary colours, producing a truly one-of-a-kind end result. This unique mixture was designed and tested by Piergiuseppe Molinar, an Italian fine art printer and pioneer of experimental printing techniques. When a Quadrifluox® print is illuminated under UV light, the light emission becomes so intense that the sheet of paper resembles a lit screen. The effect is stunning and this dual expressive mode, both in daylight and especially under UV light, allows for the creation of different optical effects. Even though Quadrifluox® achieves remarkable results, it is not meant to be a model of perfect colour reproduction. Instead, it is an innovative and playful chromatic approach that pushes the boundaries of traditional printing.

The Hello Fluo book was born from a series of creative coding workshops led by Luca Cattaneo at Mekit Studio. Beginner workshops introduced young designers to JavaScript code, colour theory, and Quadrifluox® printing. During these workshops young designers immersed themselves in the world of JavaScript, learning to write code to generate interactive visuals. Molinar, an expert in colour theory, guided participants in discovering the nuances of colour theories and the models used to describe them. Fifteen designers experimented with p5.js, combining random functions, loops, and conditions to create unique and ever-changing visuals. Tutors provided one-on-one support, helping designers refine their code and colour choices to maximise the impact of their work.

The tutors’ work focused on optimising code and colours to enhance the expressive result of each sketch, pushing the limits of the exploration of this innovative process: from the computational logic that generates the visual to the colour choices and their rendering in the printing phase. The final sketches were exported in high quality .png format (RGB) and then converted to four-colour following the Quadrifluox® colour profiles. The images were then post-produced ad hoc on each CMYK channel to optimise the final result. The last step was in the typography with offset printing, where each colour channel was printed using a laser engraved plate. Once illuminated under UV lamps, a further incredible dimension is added to each work.

Coded visuals were created by; Alice Falco, Antonio Robino, Chris Barber, Davide Cudia, Elisa Bona, Enrico Levrino, Federica Capano, Gabriele Basile, Gianluca Italiano, Giulia Zanzarella, Laura Giambuzzi, Leonardo D’Angelo, Luca Brogi, Luca Morello, Mattia Folcarelli, Michele Giamello, Mike van der Sanden, Nahuel Gerth, Nicole Martinet, Samuele Marzullo, Simone Cherchi, Valeria Morano, and Vera van de Seyp.

Several international creative coders were then bought in to help Molinar and Cattaneo make the Hello Fluo collection as extensive as possible. The result is a small book full of ideas and insights that will bring people closer to the world of creative coding and Quadrifluox® printing.

You can purchase your copy of Hello Fluo! here.

Take advantage of the pre-sale offer and get your copy for only €12 by November 15th.

Copies will be shipped in December.

Standard price after November 15th: €15.

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