Each month, we invite visionaries, designers, and artists to share their ex libris, providing a diverse array of perspectives and inspirations from the creative community.
Guestlibris
Mathieu Huppé
This month, I’m happy to introduce Mathieu Huppé, a fellow book lover and graphic designer!
We met briefly at UQAM during a conference by Fraser Muggeridge, but I’ve heard Mathieu’s name pop up in so many different projects that I thought it was about time to learn more about him.
Currently based in Paris, Mathieu sees books as more than objects to admire or sources of information. They’re tools for bringing ideas to life, shaping creative practices, and building communities. After years of looking at books as a designer, he’s been rediscovering the joy of reading them, too.
Mathieu’s Work
How would you describe yourself in your creative practice?
I’m an art director and graphic designer based in Paris. My practice sits between visual identity and publishing.
Books carry more than information. They are community builders and tools for framing a project, a practice, or an idea.
What is your relationship with books?
How would you describe the place books/magazine hold in your life?
A big place, and one that keeps moving. Some days I get overprotective and wish I could keep my books intact to preserve their appearance. Other days, I give in and read through every detail, willingly and intensely. For a long time, as a graphic designer, I looked at books more than I read them. These past few years, I've been going back to the classics. Moving to Paris, and its reading culture, probably reignited that. I read novels, news, images, lists, anything. Accepting that publications are made to be read has been calming and somehow reassuring. I like to think the Wright brothers felt the same the first time they flew. Using what you make is what makes it make sense.
Title: The Other Architect: Another Way of Building Architecture
Author: Giovanna Borasi (editor)
Year: 2015
Publisher: Canadian Centre for Architecture / Spector Books
Designer: J. Hares
1. A book that got you into books.
Title: Hidden Heartache
Author: Simone Keller (editor)
Year: 2024
Publisher: Jungle Books
Designer: Kasper-Florio (S. Bänziger, R. Florio, L. Kasper)
2. A book that you’re currently obsessed with (new)
Title: Progressive Architecture, Vol. XLII, No. 9
Author: N/A
Year: 1961
Publisher: Reinhold Publishing Corporation
Designer: N/A
3. A book that you’re obsessed with (old).
4. A book that has the most unexpected design in your library.
Title: Vers Vermersch
Author: Thomas Dunoyer de Segonzac
Year: 2024
Publisher: Rotolux Press
Designer: Thomas Dunoyer de Segonzac
Title: First edition Ed Ruscha books
Author: Ed Ruscha
Year: 2015
Publisher: Canadian Centre for Architecture / Spector Books
Designer: J. Hares
5. A book that you wish you had?
6. A book that you constantly draw inspiration from.
Title: Histoire de l’imprimerie : radioscopie d’une ère : de Gutenberg à l’informatique
Author: Maurice Audin
Year: 1972
Publisher: A. et J. Picard
Designer: N/A
Title: Le spectateur émancipé
Author: Jacques Rancière
Year: 2008
Publisher: Éditions de La Fabrique
Designer: N/A
7. Your favorite book.
8. Enough with the books, what's your favorite magazine?
Title: Obliques, No. 1 — Strindberg
Author: Roger Borderie (editor)
Year: 1971
Publisher: Éditions Borderie
Designer: N/A
Title: Gilbert Decock
Author: Gilbert Decock
Year: 1987
Publisher: Fonds du Musée du Ministère de la communauté flamande
Designer: N/A
9. The book with the most beautiful typography.
Title: American Automobile Trademarks 1900–1960
Author: Charles H. Wendel
Year: 1995
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Designer: N/A
10. The book with the most beautiful illustration.
Mathieu’s Curation
I am trying to work on a photobook and translation project that traces a mountain expedition tragedy and am waiting for grant results to finance it (fingers crossed!)!
Special project at the moment?
What make a book good?
A good book, is an understated book.
What special details do you always look for in books?
Something unconventional.
What is your favorite format?
A4.
Yvon Lambert in Paris, Donlon Books in London and Dashwood in New York City.
Where do you find your best books?
Renaissance Kilo Ferrier in Montreal holds a special place in my heart. In Europe, I'd say the Saint-Ouen flea market in Paris and the Place du Jeu de Balle in Brussels. Special mention to High Valley Books in Brooklyn, USA.