Alfabètile by Ma.Vi. Ceramica: where the Bauhaus meets the Italian ceramic tradition

Typography on tiles – design that tells a story

In the world of design, where the boundaries between art and functionality are becoming increasingly fluid, the Alfabètile collection by Ma.Vi. Ceramica represents an emblematic example of dialogue between history and contemporaneity. Designed by Daniele Della Porta and Clara Nardiello, this series was created to celebrate 100 years since the birth of the Bauhaus school — one of the most influential movements of the 20th century — and today it is more relevant than ever.

The name of the collection — Alfabètile — comes from the union of “alphabet” and “tile” (tile), and well summarizes the idea behind the project. Each tile (20×20 cm format) is a letter, hand-painted and conceived as part of a visual language inspired by the Bauhaus. The innovative element is the fusion between this Central European aesthetic and the artisanal savoir-faire of Cava de’ Tirreni, where Ma.Vi. Ceramica is based.

On one side, the graphic and geometric rationality typical of the Bauhaus, on the other, the materiality and the desired imperfection of the manual brush stroke. A perfectly balanced encounter between design and craftsmanship, rigor and warmth.

Alfabètile is much more than a simple decorative collection. It is a real design tool, designed to communicate. It offers two main modes of use:

Words – Letters can be used to create words, sentences, quotes. This type of application is ideal for public or commercial spaces (restaurants, hotels, shops), where visual narration helps to build the identity of the place and to dialogue with the public.

Pattern – Letters can be abstracted and combined in graphic patterns. With 26 letters (+2 special symbols) and 10 color variations, the number of possible combinations is practically infinite. The designer thus has a visual alphabet at his disposal with which to create surfaces that are always new, unique, dynamic.