On My Radar: Matte Cooper

What’s the most creative advertising idea you’ve seen recently?

I liked the Boring Phone that Heineken released, aiming to discourage people from checking their smart phones on a night out. I’m a fan of that Tamagotchi/Game Boy style design.

What website(s) do you use most regularly?

It won’t be a surprising answer, but it has to be YouTube. I love the mixture of old, live music clips, weird low budget comedy, interviews with artists, directors, writers, obscure international advertising, rare music. I like going down rabbit holes and finding new things that I’ve never seen.

What’s the most recent piece of tech that you’ve bought?

Koss Utility headphones. I like their simple design, they’re kind of retro futuristic. Over-the-ear headphones are good for me as I’m too likely to lose AirPods (speaking from past experience). The sound is really good and bassy on these ones (although everyone can kind of hear what you’re listening to).

What product could you not live without?

A hot glue gun. There are always things that need to be glued down or fixed in place when creating stop-motion animation, but it’s also great for mending shoes, amongst other things.  

What’s the best film you’ve seen over the last year?

I’ve made an effort to watch a lot of films over the last year. I’m not sure if it was the best film, but one that I saw in the cinema that made an impact was Godzilla Minus One. I watched it in an almost completely empty theatre and it was a real spectacle. I definitely have a soft spot for Godzilla.

What film do you think everyone should have seen?

I think my answer to this would change everyday, but maybe Playtime, by Jacques Tati. The scenery and composition are so beautifully constructed. It’s funny and there’s a lot going on in the background of every scene, almost like a Richard Scarry book.

What’s your preferred social media platform?

Does Pinterest count as social media? It’s a soothing experience scrolling through my favourite advertising, art, photography and illustration, all densely sandwiched together with no context. 

What’s your favourite TV show?

I find myself rewatching I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson a lot. It can be so excruciating, in a way I can’t seem to get enough of. It also helps that each episode is a bitesize 15(ish) minutes long. 

What’s your favourite podcast?

Not a podcast exactly, but I love discovering new mixes on NTS. There’s something for everyone and it’s a treat listening to a collection of music that a person has taken the time to carefully curate. I’d love to work on something with them in the future.

What show/exhibition has most inspired you recently?

I really loved the Daido Moriyama show at The Photographers Gallery. I liked how they used the vertical space, splitting up the exhibition over several floors, with a small selection of work on each one. The elevator had been decorated like some of the bar interiors he designed, so it felt very immersive. The live visuals that Freeka Tet made for the Oneohtrix Point Never show (at the Royal Festival Hall) were incredible too. The servo operated puppet on a miniature stage with tiny instruments was so good.