Interview with Mat Voyce – Fight For Kindness 2025 Guest
- TypeCampus
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Mat Voyce is a British type designer & animator. He specialises in 2D type animation and is mainly known for his distinctive style exploring illustrative kinetic typography. His work infuses letterforms with character and has been seen in animated GIFs, stickers, music videos & title sequences for clients & broadcast globally.
"In a world of rising living costs, constant global issues, daily stress and the fight to survive. There is one thing that is both free and one of the most wonderful human quirks & behaviours. Kindness...and it is FREE."
Your work gives letterforms movement, emotion, and character—turning type into something alive and deeply expressive. What do you think animation adds to the impact of typographic communication, especially when dealing with themes as human and universal as kindness?
Whenever I am designing I always have motion in mind, whether it's needed or not, so it makes it much easier to be able to dive straight in to make things move when necessary. The positive messaging always translates well to animation because it gives you freedom to make things feel expressive, fun and joyful through movement. Adding motion can really start to give a piece character and expression, it can almost completely change the mood of a piece, purely through the way it moves. From speed and easing, to general pacing and even the addition of sound, each one of these important factors helps bring a piece to life and almost allows you to connect with it on a more human level.
In your view, what makes a typographic message truly powerful or unforgettable?
I think because typography is such a universal language, you can instantly connect with it and even relate to what it means. We can find it everywhere, from city streets, to TV screens and even on the packaging of the food we eat. The words and type design have a very unique place in society and putting a positive spin on them can really make a huge difference, even for a single individual who needs a little pick me up.
What methods or rituals do you use to stay inspired and keep pushing your creative boundaries?
I always try to stay on top of all things motion, from cinematography, to videography, motion graphics and even frame by frame animation, they all play an important role.
Alongside trying to keep up, I tend to folder a lot of different work on Instagram, this can range from color schemes and stylistic designs again through to animations and even handmade goods. Each post or reel is saved for some form of design that I can relate to or even reference in my future work. I also love a challenge, so if I find a project or job that provides something different, then the challenge is on to create something new that stretches my skillset.
"I feel that certain world events have knock-on effects on the design industry and with the rise of both AI and global energy usage, it has me again considering different routes for my future. For now, all I can say is that I am a bit of an open book, seeking new challenges and riding out this unknown future."
Looking ahead, what are your personal or studio goals, and how do empathy and social values shape that vision?
Currently I am feeling like I am in a state of flux or the unknown. The last few months have been challenging for picking up new design work, which seems to have also affected many talented creators. Therefore it has got me wondering and questioning where my future will take me, what projects I may work on and even what in the world of motion or moving type I will be creating.
I feel that certain world events have knock-on effects on the design industry and with the rise of both AI and global energy usage, it has me again considering different routes for my future. For now, all I can say is that I am a bit of an open book, seeking new challenges and riding out this unknown future.
This interview is part of the Visual Voices for Change 2025 Fight for Kindness Annual book
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