Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassola, Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo and Secretary General Ralph Cassar have visited the graphic design company 2point3 offices in Valletta.
2point3 is a graphic design studio based in Valletta, co-founded by 2 young MCAST Art & Design graduates Nigel Anastasi and Luke Caruana. The studio offers 2-D and 3-D visual services varying from identity design, information graphics, editorial, web, packaging, and way-finding systems.
The pair established 2point3 due to their common vision in graphic design, which is to communicate identities into a clear perspective with recognisable graphics that go deeper than the surface value.
Prof. Cassola said, “2point3 is the typical example of the innovative entrepreneurial spirit of two Maltese youths who have decided to combine their creative graphic talent & skills to produce compelling visual identities and messages. Their initiative has not only contributed to creating an SME which is of no burden to the state and creates employment but is also contributing to the regeneration of Valletta since a formerly old and decaying structure has been transformed into a vibrant office in the heart of the capital. A veritable example of Greener and Cleaner.”
Carmel Cacopardo said that the Green Economy can be constructed through a multiple number of such micro-initiatives. Together they can add up to thousands of jobs for both the young and the not so young.
“Governments tend to concentrate their efforts on macro projects. It has to be borne in mind that micro initiatives can also contribute substantially to the economy. These initiatives must be nurtured amongst other things by ensuring that costs induced by the state and or organisations in a dominant position should be kept to a minimum.”
Cacopardo added that in this sense the position taken by GRTU recently on the need for banks to consider more realistic interest rates for loans to SMEs (small, medium and in particular micro enterprises) should be addressed without further delay.
Luke Caruana, co-owner of 2point3, said, “Large businesses such as advertising agencies unfortunately tend to suffocate the individual’s ideas. That is why Nigel and I felt the need to open our independent studio from where we could express our common philosophy of graphic identity. Valletta was for us an ideal creative workplace since it is still considered a main business and cultural centre. Hopefully a defined regeneration plan of the empty city areas will take place soon so as to encourage more people from the creative sector to follow suit.”