Mattia Ronconi is a Porto-based Italian visual artist and researcher. He specialises in frame-by-frame 2D animation, character and environment design, and illustration. He holds a double degree in Industrial Design from UNIFE (Italy) and PUCPR (Brazil), complemented by a Master’s degree in Illustration and Animation at IPCA (Portugal). Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Porto, funded by FCT, where his research explores animation as a documentary solution for urban art.
Mattia has developed his skills as a visual developer and 2D animator over the years, contributing to the short films “Submerso”, “Esquizoframe”, “Diário de Barba” and the trailer of “à un poil près”. In December 2023, he curated the art exhibition “MOSTRALGIA”, which highlighted the synergy between analog and digital art forms through analogical painting, digital animation and augmented reality. In 2024 his work has been showcased at events such as “Aveiro Jovem Criador” , the “FANTASIA” exhibition at ARTIVIVE HQ in Vienna, and the “Hong Kong International AR Art Fair”. He is also the co-founder of the CAFU Collective, which engages in collaborative multidisciplinary projects.
MASTER’S DEGREE PROJECT MISREADS
The concept for this project was conceived during the final stages of my master’s degree. The project’s development, encompassing the script, storyboard, character and environment design, was informed by a combination of interviews and field research.
Synopsis - MISREADS is a hybrid animated documentary that outlines a trip into the graffiti writing culture. Through testimonies of artists from Italy and Portugal, we delve into the life-longest, influential and global (sub)culture of the last half century. The project explores graffiti aesthetics, visually recreating and translating the memories of those who fight against prejudices to protect its right to expression.
CHARACTER DESIGN | 2020
MISREADS | MASK
CHARACTER DESIGN | 2020
MISREADS | IRASHI
MISREADS | SAED
MISREADS | DOXA
DOXA is a character who represents the segment of public opinion that, sometimes without knowing any better, thinks of writing culture as vandalism or linked with other illegal activities. It is portrayed as a “square” figure, prone to irritation and rudeness, and characterised by a lack of nuance and misinformation. DOXA is composed of closed boxes and snippets of misleading newspaper articles. It serves as a symbol for a broader concept of censorship, linked to power and authority within a society.
This school project is based on the song “Marco gioca sott’acqua” (Marco plays underwater) by MURUBUTU (Alession Mariani).
Marco is an 8-year-old child, born on a small island, who is deaf. As a result, he is isolated from the world, unable to pick up sounds and comprehend the actions of people moving their mouths. Marco’s father can’t accept his disability, and the lack of communication between them only serves to exacerbate the situation, leaving Marco feeling lonely and isolated.
Marco is very vivacious, restless and likes to spend his days discovering and playing in the nature. Being deaf has allowed him to improve his other senses. He is passionate about the sea, it feels natural to him. Marco is determined to learn how to pick up sounds and perceive the world around him, and communicate.
CHARACTERS FROM LETTERS SILHOUETTES
Mattia Ronconi
Angry Fish from “F” of “fish”.
Fancy Crocodile from “F” of “fancy”.
Happy Shameless Frog from “T” of “Teeth”.
CHARACTERS FROM
Inspired by the aesthetics of the series Primal (2019, Genndy Tartakovsky).
Male character from “B” of “Blade”. Female character from “P” of “Prey”.
