For Arley Torsone, BFA Integrated Design ’04, lettering and printmaking are more than crafts—they're a means of amplifying voices and making connections. Torsone and his wife, Morgan Calderini, started Ladyfingers Letterpress in Pawtucket, Rhode Island,
in 2010 after their own hand-lettered wedding invitation went viral. They began designing custom wedding invitations for others and later expanded to a line of greeting cards infused with wit, personality, and purpose. “We thought about the type of
cards we would want, and saw there was a void in the market for cards that were truly inclusive and created connections with different communities,” says Torsone. The beauty and authenticity of their work struck a chord. Their greeting cards and other
products are now sold in more than 1,000 stores worldwide.
Witty greeting cards carry messages relevant to communities often overlooked in the marketplace.Torsone and Calderini also create hand-lettered posters with messages promoting inclusivity and social justice, which often appear at protests and marches. For Torsone, the posters are meant to spark dialogue around important issues. “We’re using creative
tools at our disposal to create a space where people can be seen and hear one another,” he explains.
Hand lettering, which Torsone first employed in the invitations he created for his and Calderini's wedding, has become a distinctive feature of the couple’s product line.In 2014, Torsone and Calderini relocated to Colorado Springs, where they opened a storefront that serves as both a retail shop and their studio. It soon became a center for the community. “We wanted to make sure our business was inclusive—not leaving
anyone out or making anyone feel like they didn’t belong,” says Torsone. “As a queer couple, we knew what that felt like.” Their store attracts people struggling to find their voice and connections with others.
Letterpress creates affordable justice-promoting posters in Torsone’s signature hand lettering.Torsone’s time at Parsons was a formative influence on his practice. “The students and faculty reflect New York City’s culture and diversity, and their unique perspectives helped me see things in new ways,” says Torsone. Parsons also helped Torsone view
design as a multifaceted approach to problem solving. “I got so much out of the Integrated Design program,” he says. “The program helped solidify my desire to effect change and make a difference.”
ladyfingersletterpress.com