Interviews med Emanuele Grittini

I finished university in July 2014, so I'm about 4 years in the industry as a professional, I studied at IED Milan and I graduated in Graphic Design.I worked as a freelance for some of the most important studios in Milan including Centoeventi, Twico, Chapeaux and others that I can not mention. I have had great clients, but professional secrecy allows me to say only that some projects you have surely seen them everywhere.

I became a designer simply because it is my greatest passion, discovered during my high school years while I was attending art, I fell in love with Graphic Design, and I decided I wanted to do that job. A love at first sight. The obstacles were not few, from the costs to pay for the studies to those for the necessary technological supports. But with so much force of will and elbow grease I have come to do what I wanted.

Priority for me is to experiment, have fun and be professional during the design process. This allows me to always get something unique and tailored.

I am proud and happy during my work, it is what I love to do, I try to leave problems and negative aspects outside so as to stay focused and carry out my tasks to the fullest.

The good designer is still a creative designer, that is creative but has rules to respect, is not an artist, for this reason my father, first of all, taught me a lot, in his work he had to design shop windows, which having determined spaces and products to be inserted had starting conditions that could not be avoided. In addition to being talkative and empathetic has always helped me in my work to smooth out the contrasts and make the work process pleasant even if serious and thoughtful.

I can not reveal much about all this, a bit 'because I live a lot on the present, and a little' because I'm still young and I have to understand my life well what direction it can take. For now I am content to do a job that gives me positive emotions and satisfies me, and I hope it continues like this.

Being one of them, my advice is to study a lot, work and engage without forgetting to be humble and even a bit cheeky from time to time. Never break down and always believe in a better and positive tomorrow.

I would recommend, especially to architects or other designers who are not graphic designers, to rely on us to design their communication, this because being a designer does not mean knowing everything and every designer has his own specialization. A valid warning always, and especially in Italy.

Sleep, eat, design. Repeat

I do not have many problems, like everyone on the net to look for inspiration and experiment with new styles, but I always try to give a personal touch to make the project recognizable and unique.

I understand that everything went well when users respond positively to the project, but even earlier when the customer does not find it difficult to meet again in the project dedicated to him.

When I understand that it meets all the criteria imposed by the customer and at the same time meets my unique design needs. I think it is an all too personal and unique process to be explained.

Each project for me is a great project, from the logo for the salumier under the house to the site for the billionaire multinational. Each process has the same attention and dedication, is cared for and loved as if it were a child so that it can best show the brand or customer communication. Having a favorite project would be like discriminating against one's own children and caring more for one than the other. I'm proud of every project, from Feralhorses to IGPizza, to AI Academy and all the others.

I have no reference designers, I think they are a limitation, everyone can be great designerse have the good fortune to receive the right idea at the right time with the customer and the right project.

From the coworking desk of the small town where I live, in the province of Milan, I can only say that listening to music is essential for me during my work, but I also like to relate to others for comparison and see what comes out. I love taking projects calmly, my philosophy of life is very similar to Zen, it is a search for peace and perfect design with dedication and passion for every detail.

My company culture is based on respect for the fundamental principles of design combined with ethics and respect for the client, my business philosophy involves the client in the decision-making process so as to shorten the comparison times and allow me to settle any differences without clash but with a simple comparison.For me, good design comes from the right guidance given by the designer to the customer in the scleto of what he himself has designed.

In truth I would like you to be a philanthropist to me, help a poor freelance designer to get to the end of the month ;-)

It has allowed me to better understand the international standards of today's design and has shown me projects by other designers who push me to give even more of the best every day.

Professional secret...

I wanted to meet the needs of the client by uniting them with my desire to create something unique

Make it become one of my warhorses on my portfolio and make sure that it continues to win

Almost 8 months

The project has been commissioned, and together with the client we have achieved this wonderful result.

The project was created for Feralhorses and holds exclusive usage rights

The client's communication needs towards his users

I could not answer

Users who come from new markets, users who approach different forms of equity investment and less expensive, classic investors who want to diversify and offer their users a different service of investment, art advocates and eventually any user wants to try to invest in something unique.

Fortunately there is no such thing, or at least, at the time it was a real innovation.

The naming was brought by the client for motivations dedicated to him.

I used moodboards, mockups and various design software, plus many sheets, pencils and erasers.

The uniqueness is proper of every point of view and therefore of every person who observes this design, you should ask them.

It made it possible to prototype and bring the project from my mind to the real world.

I analyzed the graphic trends and the type of style to be adopted, but I also left space for my creativity without braking.

I did not have any particular impediments or problems.

To see how it would come out, whether it was a winner or not and to test one of my best projects...

Every project I perform leaves a trace in me, a sign that improves me, increasing my experience and my abilities, exponentially increasing my knowledge of the subject.

The best way to say anything else is to simply look at the project.

Since high school I have undertaken an artistic direction, therefore, I have always been immersed in the environment of design and art.

During the first years of study I discovered Graphic Design and from that moment I became passionate about the material in all its facets. After high school I graduated in Graphic Design at the IED in Milan completing my training and expanding my skills on the subject to make it, as well as a great passion, my work.

It makes me happy and allows me to express myself.

I chose with conviction and decision in the first person.

The two main areas in which the study excels are the Brand Design and the UX-Ui (User Experience and User Interface), of course we also deal with other areas related to graphics, such as publishing, motion and advertising. The Firm is always growing and does not mention bringing us new surprises and new stimuli every day to create projects always on the cutting edge and with unique connotations.

Study a lot and experiment as well.

The commitment and constancy that is put into planning.

The design must work for the type of request formulated by the customer and must communicate the message in the best possible way.

Because it avoids being misunderstood and communicating as best as possible by increasing brand value.

I could not choose

My site, we are like the shoemakers, we go down the street with our broken shoes.

Dedication and preparation

I can not answer, for me every designer can give me inspiration, I do not have models and fixed characters of reference, I think that would limit my ability to create.

I do not know, there are so many that to mention only a few seems to me unfair

Until now, my favorite design is Feralhorses' Brand Identity, a true all-round experience where the client, very proactive, has become a part of the creative process, giving life to something unique and made to measure. Moreover, this project has also represented a chance to experiment with new techniques and to expand my cultural baggage given the multiculturality of the client.

Continue to study, stay up-to-date and live this job as a passion and not an obligation

The Genius Bar technician at the apple store

Design, in my specific field, is the ability to design a medium that communicates in an effective, recognizable and creative way the message that the client wants to transmit so that it is perceived in the same way by all users.

My family and myself

A lot of passion and dedication

The obstacles of every job, neither more nor less.

Obviously at best, but sometimes it's difficult, I understand it.

I hope good things, I can not talk about new projects, it's too early ...

Win an A' Design Awards

That always gives the best in every project

Helping to communicate and allowing to understand each other

Professional secret...

All the projects I have done have given me satisfactions, otherwise I would not have even faced them and brought them forward.

I do not know

Design is a subject in continuous evolution, it is impossible to predict its evolution with precision, but not even in approximation because it meets the needs of users and the creativity of the single designer who is unpredictable.

It depends on the project, it is almost impossible to quantify an exact timing for me, also given the variety and type of projects that I have carried out and still perform.

From moodboards, but even before a solid contract between me and the customer.

Eat, sleep, Design. Repeat

Both things are the becoming of the other in the same.

It is an extension of my mind that allows me to realize what I think

Adobe Suite, Sketch App, Axure RP, and many other software

I think they are all fundamental roles especially in my field

They should not have questions, good design is self-explanatory.

It occurs to me that I would like to congratulate the proponent of the project.

My imac, is a great partner, for now it is enough for him

The whole world, I have never focused on specific people, only my former professors can be considered direct influencers in my training that have given me a lot and from which I have always drawn wise advice.

No books in particular

With much study, dedication, passion and a good dose of errors.

The man or woman who invented writing, to understand how he codified the first glyphs

I do not feel famous, the prizes are pleasing, but there are always better designers than us to aspire to.

Green lawn, sofa, pizza (the real one found only in Italy), winter, apple.

I have no special funny memories that might interest you

My day becomes fantastic and motivating every day, I always think positive!

I would say no, I wanted to be a grocer or a robot builder ...

I know the future, but I will not tell you anything, the first rule of time travel.

To always believe in themselves and in their passions.

Since high school I have undertaken an artistic direction, therefore, I have always been immersed in the environment of design and art.During the first years of study I discovered Graphic Design and from that moment I became passionate about the material in all its facets. After high school I graduated in Graphic Design at the IED in Milan completing my training and expanding my skills on the subject to make it, as well as a great passion, my work.

The two main areas in which the study excels are the Brand Design and the UX-Ui (User Experience and User Interface), of course we also deal with other areas related to graphics, such as publishing, motion and advertising. The Firm is always growing and does not mention bringing us new surprises and new stimuli every day to create projects always on the cutting edge and with unique connotations.

Design, in my specific field, is the ability to design a medium that communicates in an effective, recognizable and creative way the message that the client wants to transmit so that it is perceived in the same way by all users.

I love to design brand identity and websites, but also app or packaging, there is something that is less pleasant for me in this work because I live it as a pleasure and a place where I can express my creativity...

Until now, my favorite design is Feralhorses' Brand Identity, a true all-round experience where the client, very proactive, has become a part of the creative process, giving life to something unique and made to measure. Moreover, this project has also represented a chance to experiment with new techniques and to expand my cultural baggage given the multiculturality of the client.

The first thing I designed for a company, or better, for a real customer, was a logo with an attached corporate identity.

I like to use the Adobe Suite programs like any good Graphic Designer but, since I observe a strict policy of "every program its destination", I love using sketchapp for web design, I find it very practical and well designed, while you will never see me design a logo with Photoshop.

Never, there are always people more creative than you, or at least, there is a time of day where every human being is very creative, but I think it can not be revealed in an interview ...

My design process is very strict and allows me to concentrate on every single aspect of the elaborate. Dividing everything into various phases or moments, you can take care of every aspect of design without neglecting anything.

It depends on what I am planning, certainly I am happy to have the opportunity to do what I have studied and worked hard for, I am also grateful to be able to express myself and have clients who rely on me to represent their image or communication. I would say that while I'm planning I'm proud and focused.

I'm always excited when I see my project published, or printed, it fills me with postive energies and pushes me to always give the best of me in every project.

A project is successful when the designer who produces it puts passion and all its knowledge inside, obviously as a basis there must be an open customer and a good product/service to communicate, otherwise, even with great skill you get very little.

The function, the first aspect to consider in graphic design is the functionality of the elaborate, that is, that responds to the needs of the client and communicates the best of its reality.

A designer must try to be ethically right and respect the environment, we have all the tools to be able, in our small way, to play our part.

Graphic Design is a subject in continuous evolution, it is impossible to predict its evolution with precision, but not even in approximation because it meets the needs of users and the creativity of the single designer who is unpredictable.

I have participated in various exhibitions with other designers, the last one in the summer, I have no plans for future exhibitions, we will see what the future holds for me.

Internet, a good book of graphics, going around the city, everything is inspiration for a graphic designer, there is not a method just to be able to find inspiration, for me it only counts to live the day and experiment, and maybe take each so much a pause to reflect and let the mind go, the ideas will come from them.

I do not think I have a definite or definable style.

Living in Italy, in the province of Milan, in a small rural village named Abbiategrasso, it is problematic and complex to explain to the world how Italian designers earn their living because we host in our country different levels of schooling and aesthetic perception, as well as traditions and cultures. Let's say it's nice, but always complex to be a freelance designer in Italy.

Professional secret...

I do not know how to answer, let's say that it should rely on the new generations and use less cronyism, going into small businesses that are the best in my opinion.

My process is called "participatory planning", I have "stolen" this method to architecture, and allows the client and the related project actors to become involved in the activity by involving them in each decision-making phase and making the problem much shorter and less problematic. choice, I can not reveal more because this small method distinguishes me and makes me appreciate a lot compared to other designers.

My Pantone Cup, my iMac, my library (contains a lot of graphic books), my armchair and my t-shirts (I have lots of them and very colorful ones).

Eat, sleep, Design. Repeat

I am primarily a young designer, I can only say that I work hard and commit myself without sinking the continuous training.

It would be an infinite speech, I would say that we are complex people with very large complexes.

If I had discovered it now I would be rich and I would have an apple-shaped island of my own.

Have a course of study related to the subject that applies, know very well the programs that are necessary for your work and use the right means.

My IMac is my toolbox, I find it installed the software I need and the browser to stay updated on any design trend or inspiration.

I let an idea have time to come to light without forcing, I love to take it easy if I see that the ideas do not come, damn because it does not take a spider from the hole is only worse.

It depends on the project, it is almost impossible to quantify an exact timing for me, also given the variety and type of projects that I have carried out and still perform.

Is your job making doodles?

All, every negative or positive experience formed me and made me the designer I am today.

Can not be said...

I like every part of the design, it's my passion, although I admit that one of my favorite parts is to see the finished project as a whole.

Continue to do my job with passion, the rest will come by itself.

I work for most of the time alone, but if necessary I surround myself with good assistants.

Top Secret...

Through my e-mail emanuele.grittini@thinkgraphic.it

I would say that's all for now ;-)

We created fluid backgrounds by experimenting with water-based paints on rigid cardboard supports, using a Canon reflex camera, lighting, and softboxes. The key was capturing the unpredictable motion of paints to symbolize the multidisciplinarity of AI. These visuals were then post-produced, ensuring each abstract composition matched Ai Academy’s bold brand identity.

We chose a monospaced typeface to evoke the coding environment and emphasize the brand’s strong technological foundation. This direct reference to classic programming fonts underlines accessibility and clarity, bridging AI’s complexity with a user-friendly identity. The typography complements the abstract visuals by providing structure amid fluid backgrounds.

Early experiments focused on capturing random paint flows to represent AI’s fluid, multidisciplinary potential. Through multiple trials with different color intensities and techniques, we refined a consistent set of images that aligned with Ai Academy’s brand values. Each background was then carefully edited to ensure consistency across various platforms, reflecting a unified visual narrative.

We deliberately departed from the typical tech-centric blues to create a brand that immediately stands out. Drawing from the concept of AI’s broad potential, we used vivid and bold colors to communicate energy, innovation, and a Silicon Valley mindset. This approach aligns with the goal of bringing AI awareness to diverse organizations, breaking clichés with a vibrant, modern palette.

We ensured each abstract element still carried a clear connection to the brand’s identity by emphasizing monospaced typography and consistent logo placement. For conventions and digital platforms, we provided versatile layouts that highlighted service information without losing the brand’s unique fluid style. This combination made Ai Academy’s offerings understandable while maintaining a visually engaging look.

The sharp lines of the logo and the monospaced typeface offer a structured contrast to the flowing paint textures. This deliberate tension mirrors the core concept of AI: a blend of structured technology and endless creative possibilities. By placing the logo prominently against dynamic backgrounds, viewers immediately recognize both the brand’s strong identity and its multidisciplinary scope.

We focused on differentiating Ai Academy by translating the brand’s essential values—technology, data management, creativity—into abstract visuals. The monospaced typography and the bold color palette provided clarity amid the fluid designs, helping the brand stand out in a crowded market. This cohesive visual system laid the groundwork for international recognition, culminating in the A’ Design Award.

Consistency was key. We adapted each abstract background to different aspect ratios while retaining the vibrant colors and signature paint textures. The logo placement and monospaced typography remained constant, ensuring brand recognition. Additionally, we used a clear set of guidelines so that every social channel conveyed the same visual impact, no matter the format.

The main insight was how effectively abstract visuals could communicate the brand’s core message—AI’s fluid and ever-expanding nature—without relying on typical tech imagery. We discovered that by focusing on color, texture, and contrast, we could evoke the broad scope of AI services in a visually appealing way, helping Ai Academy stand out in a saturated market.

The brand’s fluid visuals and abstract focus are designed to evolve with new technologies and emerging AI applications. By retaining the core principles—monospaced typography, bold color palette, and geometric contrast—Ai Academy can easily incorporate fresh background styles or additional color variations, reflecting the ever-changing nature of AI while staying recognizable.