CV

July 2024

Berlin, DE

work@andrefincato.info

Intro

Areas of interest: hypertext systems, p2p computing and server infrastructure, software-based archives.

I work in the fields of design and programming, by primarily building websites and other software running on the internet.

I have extended (+10 years) experience working with cultural institutions and schools, collectives run by artists + designers + educators, co-ops working in the cultural production sector, and individuals whose practice sits alongside this spectrum.

My role over time has changed from graphic designer making simple websites, to being hired as a programmer and building specific software. In this period I've been able to, oftentimes, set an open cross-“disciplinary” dialogue with the people I collaborated with and keep my design skills active and improving as well.

Currently I am really interested on working with projects, companies and groups exploring algae as a new source of regenerative cultural and economic production: food, new materials, co-learning and workshop environments, etc.

Work Experience

Freelance

  • dae.wiki: 2019-2022. Re-design of the Design Academy Eindhoven web presence, by building a custom wiki and archive system running on git and unix users topology; with Simone Niquille, James Bryan Graves, Joana Chicau, Son La Pham, Claire Tolan, Marcel Goethals, Jim Kang, Eurico Sá Fernandes. The final version of the project was never put online, and so far only the first iteration of it still is.

    • software stack: Node.js (Express), Javascript (choo.js), Apache SOLR, git as database
    • online website
    • code repo: upon request

  • hackersanddesigners.nl: 2021-2024. A “frontend” website for Hackers & Designers' MediaWiki instance in the shape of a static, live and self-updating archive of itself; with Karl Moubarak.

  • te.ma: 2023-2024. Maintenance and expansion of an online public debate platform, focused on making academic research among the general public more accessible; with Nikolai Sivertsen.

    • software stack: Python (Django), Javascript (Catalyst web components), PostgresSQL
    • online website

  • Buycloud: 2021-current. Built a companion, live-updating, archive website as well as setup the overall artifact generation and payment workflow for Buycloud — a design project where you can buy a digital stillframe of a cloud, extracted from original video footage via a software recognition algorithm.

    • software stack: Python (Flask), PosgresSQL, PHP (Wordpress), ImageMagick
    • online website
    • code repo: upon request

  • platform2platform: 2018-2020. A software tool that combines algorithmic matching system and human editorial expertise to create relevant recommendations for further reading across a network of independent publishers; collaboration between Hackers & Designers (which I used to be part of, Amsterdam) and Institute of Network Culture (Amsterdam).

  • englishesmooc.org: 2019-2024. Mix of a custom software stack (using the Discourse forum platform as the centerpiece) to build a Massive Online Open Course platform for artist Nicoline van Harskamp’s englishes creole project; with Anja Groten.

  • trust.support: 2019-2022. Event and video-focused website for Berlin-based "incubator for utopian conspiracy" Trust. Built a custom membership workflow using Mailchimp, Discord and Stripe; with Son La Pham.

    • software stack: PHP (Kirby CMS), Javascript (choo.js), Stripe + Discord + Mailchimp web APIs
    • online website

  • The Whole Life Academy: 2021-2022. Map-based, archival website for The Whole Life Academy project — as part of Haus der Kulturen der Welt program; with Ollie George, Marcel Goethals.

Teaching

2020-2023: external critique in writing format, for the bachelor thesis of the students of the Art Academy of Brno University of Technology.

Workshops

  • patch as unit of work: hands-on workshop on the diff and patch programs part of any Unix-based operating systems, /ETC - Eclectic Tech Carnival, Berlin, June 2024.

  • nobodies-for.bots II: bot character building through LARP techniques, Todays Art Festival, Den Haag, September 2018; with Genevieve Costello and Cristina Cochior.

  • hypermush: p2p introduction through a variant of 1970s text-based adventure, multiplayer videogames (MUD, Multi-User Dungeon), part of the Hackers & Designers Summer Academy 2018, Amsterdam, July-August 2018; with Marcel Goethals.

Skills

Good knowledge of:

  • Python
  • Node.js and Javascript
  • PHP
  • HTML, CSS
  • SQL-, NoSQL- and file- based databases
  • Apache SOLR search software
  • git, git-patches, PR workflow
  • bash, coreutils, shell scripting
  • Docker, Docker-compose
  • web servers: VPS setup and maintenance for both web and email services
  • design: both in terms of program and data-structure, as well as for user interfaces; this remains my starting point and general approach to do any type of work

Strive to write good documentation (README, ARCHITECTURE) and docstrings (or inline comments) for each project.

I know how to work remotely and asynchronously. I am eager to be part of an in-person team and work from the same office or studio space.

Spoken languages:

  • English (proficient)
  • German (beginner)
  • Italian (mother tongue)

Education

2014–2016

MFA Designing Democracy, Master Programme at the Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

2009–2013

Bachelor in Industrial Design and Visual Communication, Faculty of Design and Art, Free University of Bolzano (Italy).

Learning:

  • Lisp (Common Lisp, Guile Scheme)
  • GNU Guix for packaging projects and running server infrastructure
  • German
  • How to grow algae
Meta

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