Captivating drawings by architect Michele de Lucchi serve as thoughtful explorations of the creative mind
Michele De Lucchi's Whimsical Substack Newsletters
Michele De Lucchi, an esteemed Italian architect and founder of AMDL Circle, delights his readers each week with a unique blend of whimsical pencil sketches and reflective writings. His Substack newsletters serve as a platform for exploration and meditation, providing insights into his creative process and philosophy in a personal yet artistic style [1][3].
The newsletters, published every Friday, often feature ordinary A4 printer paper torn into quarters, which De Lucchi refers to as "pocket papers." These compact canvases become a playground for De Lucchi's imagination, with sketches that depict him engaged in everyday activities or thoughtful reflections on creativity and the act of making [2].
De Lucchi's sketches are informal in nature, with a distinctive mark from being in his pocket and on his backside. After spending several days in De Lucchi's pocket, the sketches become crumpled, worn, and glossy, adding to their charm and intimacy [2].
The text accompanying De Lucchi's sketches often includes aphorisms or questions, further enhancing the meditative quality of these weekly missives. The sketches serve as portals to bigger reflections on creativity and the act of making, while the text provides a thought-provoking narrative that complements the visuals [1][3].
De Lucchi's writing style is reflective, meditative, and personal, blending travel anecdotes, cultural observations, and musings on design and innovation. His topics range from architecture and design to innovation, Italy, and the places he visits around the world [1].
De Lucchi is extremely specific about his drawing kit, preferring to use a sharpened 8B pencil for his sketches. He keeps his sketches together with archivist's bulldog clips, maintaining a sense of order amidst the creative chaos [2].
The newsletters offer inspiration, escapism, and design stories from around the world. They are a joyful surprise each week, providing a glimpse into De Lucchi's mind and offering a unique perspective on the built environment, culture, and life itself [1][3].
[1] Michele De Lucchi's Substack: https://micheledelucchi.substack.com/ [2] Dezeen: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/07/01/michele-de-lucchi-sketches-substack-newsletter/ [3] Wallpaper*: https://www.wallpaper.com/design/michele-de-lucchi-substack-newsletter-sketches
- Michele De Lucchi's Substack newsletters, a fusion of whimsical sketches and reflective writings, delve into topics ranging from home-and-garden design to technology, offering insights into his lifestyle and creative process.
- On Fridays, Michele De Lucchi shares his unique blend of fashion-and-beauty thoughts, home-and-garden sketches, and technology musings through his pocket-sized, worn, and crumpled pencil drawings, creating a thought-provoking interplay of visuals and text.