An innovative Manchester graphic designer has taken inspiration from the diverse streets of the Northern Quarter to create a new graphic design business.
Northern Letters takes lettering designs from around the area and adapts them to make homely interior products such as prints, mugs, tea towels, canvases and cards.
The creator of the company, Matt Simpson, from Chorlton, who also works at Media City, came up with the concept for his weekend business shortly after moving to Manchester eight years ago.
Matt said: “Typography and lettering are current popular trends for interior design but what I do is different from Marks and Spencer or Paperchase because the designs are all actually from places that really exist.
“They can all be personalised as well so they make really nice, unique ideas for gifts. There’s no need to worry about the whole world having the same canvas as you.”
To make his innovative creations, Matt takes pictures of graphic lettering on pubs, shops and restaurants and then edits them to create unique prints, inspired by familiar typography.
“I’ve lived in the north for eight years now, most of the time in the Northern Quarter and I just love it, it’s really fun,” the 37-year-old said.
Customers can personalise Matt’s designs to suit their own home interior by changing the style, typeface or colour.
Matt has taken inspiration from lettering at Church Street Records (before it closed), Slice Pizza Place, Coffee Pot and Odd Bar.
“It’s just creative stuff that I really enjoy doing. You can have hours of fun trying to find where the letters come from,” he continued.
“The idea of Northern Letters is to bring a small part of the Northern Quarter into your home or workplace in a way that is unique to you.”
Northern Letters were a hit at the Urban Market in Greengate Square last year and Matt has a stall at the Castlefield Artisan Market on Sunday March 2, where he will showcase new styles and his range of cushions.
He has also recently expanded geographically and will be including designs inspired by typography around Chorlton and the surrounding areas.
Northern Letters will also appear at one day design event ‘Home is in the North’ at Hallé St Peter’s, Ancoats, on April 26 which showcases the best of independent Northern designers for interiors, furnishings, homeware and art.
For more updates you can follow Northern Letters on Facebook or visit their website www.northernletters.co.uk
Picture from northernletters.co.uk via Matt Simpson, with thanks.
