At school there was a teacher that really believed in me. He saw that I was talented in illustration and he said to me: “Look, if you want, in the future, you can work on my projects if you really like them.” And so that was my first job as a designer, to make posters and flyers for clubs, etc. After college I figured I’d illustrate some books, but it was all editorial drawings which wasn’t really my vibe. Then I tried a comic school back in Italy, where I did an entry test for comics, but that also wasn’t my thing. From there I started doing a little bit of everything, but my most dominant area was illustration. So I led with that. I spent my time doing one illustration every day. And that brings me to where I am today; being freelance for myself and working with my own style for my clients.
Do you have a future goal right now, or an ultimate end goal for what you’d like to be doing?
For me there really is no ‘end’ goal. I always want to evolve and be better. So I always have a new goal, I’m always embracing new technology and methods such as animation and 3D. Moving from traditional to digital illustration was my first goal, and I just keep evolving and following the next steps so I’m not left out.
I suppose, in general, I’d love a collective studio which could bring together some of the best artists. But I would give each of them the control in what they are strongest in. I would love to create ‘a studio without guidelines’. One without a CEO or anything like that. I think if you allow people to express themselves to their full potential, that's what will make the studio really special.
Do you ever get creative blocks? How do you try to inspire yourself?
I don’t really get creative blocks because I freestyle my work. But when I’m tired of looking at screens I like to switch to canvas or walls. When you’re doing graffiti you can have your music loud and you can have a beer, it’s freeing and you can let your mind go. There is no limit.
Every mistake will lead you to something good. That’s what I believe.
I’m also a big believer in having a window in your studio! Have you ever noticed that most creators, once they go for a holiday, they come back full of juice for creating. I think being stuck in your daily standard space is not good for your brain, looking outside at the sky really inspires you, even without you knowing it. Space is important. And changing location is important.
Do you have any exciting collaborations, events or exhibitions coming up that we should know about?
I get involved in all sorts of great projects somehow. I just finished doing Adobe Live at Adobe Max in The Beams London. I’m always reaching out to artists that I’d love to collaborate with, I probably have 6 or 7 on the go all at once! I’m inspired by a lot of people and it always feels surreal to work with people you’ve been a fan of for years.
I collaborate with a lot of artists because they do what they are strong in and I do what I'm strong in. Being different pushes you to a new limit. A lot of people would be very nervous like, “Oh my god, what should I do? This guy is better than me.” But I don't see it like that. I see it more like, “Whoa, he's very different to me. What can I do to make it pop.”
I have a very exciting project coming up in the very near future but I’m not allowed to talk about it yet. You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for that one!
