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Paolo Iarossi

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Interviews with Paolo Iarossi

Read the interviews with Paolo Iarossi: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Designer of the Day Interview

18 questions

I studied at the Scuola Italiana di Comix in naples attending the two-year illustration course and then a concept art course that lasted two more years and a master in concept art.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

I studied at the Scuola Italiana di Comix in naples attending the two-year illustration course and then a concept art course that lasted two more years and a master in concept art. Two weeks after the end of the master I found a job at a company that dealt with the development of 2D graphics in my city. I worked at this company for about a year and a half, but it was not my first job, during my studies I did various jobs including development of material for Italian studies for the development of video games, a spash page for a small Italian publisher and I participated in the development of a project for a smartphone game and in a motion comic commissioned to us through a school professor in the role of art director. Now I quit my job at the company I worked for to start my freelance career, I deal with 2d illustrations of character design and 2d animation on commission for video games, board games and book covers.

How did you become a designer?

I mainly work as an illustrator and concept artist, and I definitely got closer to this world for my passion for video games, board games and illustrated books. Art has fascinated me since I was a child, both classic and more modern, in fact I loved going to museums to see statues and paintings and still when I need to be with myself a bit I go around museums alone as if I were looking for some answer to questions I don't know. My passion for art has turned into passion in practicing drawing and painting that until a certain age I practiced only as a personal passion. I found myself then in a very strange period of my life where when I was 19 years old, in which I seemed to have no direction, I finally left the university and decided to follow my passion for drawing, with many difficulties, I I found with fellow students who were far ahead of me studying for many years. During my studies then I discovered that the thing that I was most passionate about drawing was giving a new shape to things by following my imagination and I think it was that joy that I feel when I express my imagination that led me to choose to become a concept artist. However if I think back to the past I can't say if I chose the design or if it is the design that chose me.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

I work in digital, I mainly use photoshop as software and as a tool a cintiq 13, however I always try to bring the procedures of the classic and manual drawing into my work. When I approach a new project I start with a very sketchy study for two reasons, the first is that in the initial phase it is better not to take as long as most of the drawings will be discarded and the second because drawing sketched gives me the opportunity to explore more ideas and stimulate the imagination more.When I work I always try to communicate a feeling, so I reflect a lot on the background of the character or the environment trying to get into the emotional state that I would like to convey.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

the design phase is very exciting, it usually makes me enthusiastic, especially the initial phase where we proceed with the drafts and the ideas begin to take shape. it is as if I were about to know something new and the curiosity for the result is very high, in fact I express myself much better in this phase where I am free to come up with ideas and have fun with the concepts compared to the final realization phase that I see more as a technical question. Ultimately I think the most interesting part of the job is the initial draft where you are really creative.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

Surely one of the characteristics that helped me was my resilience, it is a job that is basically made up of obstacles to overcome and in some moments it can be a little frustrating, I also believe that my ability to solve problems has helped me a lot together the fact that I don't want to be satisfied and always try to raise the level a bit. many of these characteristics have gone to support my learning and working phase helping me to assimilate a lot from the artists I respect and from my teachers, in fact they are the ones who have influenced me the most, artists like Andrea scoppetta, Barbara ciardo and Mario theodosio who they taught me not only to be a better artist but to overcome obstacles using my tenacity.this has helped me a lot in my path which up to now has been very exciting although full of obstacles to overcome, I don't think I have yet found my ideal dimension to fully express myself, I am looking for a context or a job that allows me to express my ideas in full rather than being employed only as a performer.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

My growth path has been very intense and tiring, I have been able to recover many years compared to my fellow students, so I had to work a lot more and this was stressful at certain times. However, this allowed me to get to know myself better and to understand my potential both as an artist and as a person and surely this recognition of the A design award is a result of that period. I have many plans and hopes for the future, I recently left a job in a studio because I felt I didn't have the opportunity to express myself fully and I started my freelance career, at the moment I work as an illustrator for several clients, some also in the 'videogame field, but I hope to be able to work also in the publishing sector as a cover artist and as a designer and illustrator for board games. I have many projects in the pipeline, a board game and a video game for which I am definitely assembling a team. I think I can give my best in the initial design phase of a concept, so I would like to have the opportunity to work in that phase of a project with some animation and video game development companies, and maybe to be able to work in the role of art director.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

I faced various obstacles during my studies and work, both practical and work related to the choices I made, one of these was the isolation in which I often closed myself to devote myself body and soul to crativity what which often caused me many relational problems too. For this reason the advice I feel I can give to those who have just started is to be ambitious to always give the best but not to aim for perfection, perfection does not exist and if it existed it would be boring, the most important thing is to combine a good result fun while working, it is very important in this job, our job is full of our emotions, so give your best but do not obsess with the competition, take care of your work, commit yourself and have fun, and never forget to nurture your affections, they are the most important thing, you need to build a welcoming environment to be creative.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

I think the best advice I can give to other artists is not to focus on looking too much like their reference points. The artists we are inspired by are fundamental but you have to get away from it at some point to develop your own personality, and experiment. Experimentation is essential for me, to get out of the comfort zone and not limit yourself to what you think is your own style.

What is your day to day look like?

The first thing I do in the morning in addition to organizing the work and responding to customer emails is to go and look at the drawings that my reference artists have published, often when I feel stuck or bored it is right in the galleries of my favorite artists that I find refuge and new stimuli, to face also new technical experiments and new approaches. Surely the thing that makes me more enthusiastic in a day of work is when I have a job or a commission on which I know I can freely express myself.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

Observing market trends is very important, whether you decide to align your style or decide to observe them only in part, for this reason it is important to observe the other artists and the products that companies publish. As far as I am concerned I always keep an eye on trends without homologating, I try to understand how to insert them in my work but I am not interested in working according to the fashion of the moment to find work more easily, I think an artist must always be updated on the trend of moment but must develop it according to its own vision without limiting itself. I try to take the elements that I like and insert them in my work but the artistic research is by definition also something that detaches itself from the fashion of the moment so to stay in a working context in my opinion you need to find a balance between market fashion and personal research.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

As a concept artist and illustrator my artistic skills must support some practical needs of the job and the market. A job well done is as regards what is beautiful to look at but also functional for the purpose, we could make the most beautiful design ever seen but if it does not work and cannot be finalized it is a job that serves no purpose. The most common mistake I see is seeking too much perfection in the details rather than the vision of the whole, without the vision of the whole we tend to fill up with details to give strength to the design but in reality if a work is not conceived correctly in the its entirety will be only weak and confusing.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

When I work I don't try to create a successful job, I have a commission I have to do it to the best of my ability based on the time and costs of the project and these are two fundamental factors to keep in mind when planning a job. I have a tendency to always try to improve a product and I never feel fully satisfied, for this reason I try to set deadlines to complete a job, there are jobs that often need a final touch up, others don't, simply to me a design is ready when it is both aesthetically beautiful and functional for the purpose for which it was created and credible.

What is your biggest design work?

Certainly the "orfeo e euridice" project is one of my works of which I am most proud, not only for the final result but also for the design phase and for what I learned while developing it, it gave me the opportunity to experiment with new shapes and a new work approach that allowed me to take a step forward. I realized it as an experiment during my training master in concept art and the challenge was to propose a classic myth in a new more modern perspective by modifying the story to adapt it to the new context. This has required me a lot of work and study on all the characters both in the design phase and in the creation of technical material for the development of the characters and the final illustrations. Lately having recently started the work of the freelance I am taking advantage of the time between a commission and the other to devote myself to personal illustrations that recall classical painting clearly in a modern key in a fantasy imagery, a new challenge.

Who is your favourite designer?

I have many artistic landmarks, for classical painting my favorite artists are Caravaggio and Van Gog for painting and Bernini for sculptures. The modern ones are many, Antony Ones, Ruan Jia, Mike Azevedo, Raphael La Coste, Thoot Wu, Antonio De Luca, they are all great artists who have achieved great results in their careers and who have taught me a lot with their works.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

I live in naples which besides being the city where I was born is also my favorite city, the cultural heritage preserved in this city has certainly inspired me in my journey. Music is part of my creative process helping me to relax on certain occasions, however I don't like working with music in the initial design phase because I prefer to be silent. I am currently working on commissions of private customers as an illustrator and for a company as an illustrator and animator for 2d video games. Design certainly influences the quality of life, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view, as we said before, good design is something that not only gives you visual pleasure, it must be a beauty aimed at the practicality of the product.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

Currently I work alone as a freelance, or with some partners, I have also worked in a team both as a team member and as art director. I don't know how easy it is to work with me, I am a person who always tries to create a good product, I am not discouraged and I tend to solve problems in the least expensive way possible, but I am also very demanding with me and with others, in fact I prefer I usually work with people who have a great imagination and desire to do, people who can stimulate the creative process even more.I currently deal with illustrations for individuals and the production of characters, assets, backgrounds and animations for companies that I have as customers. and my task is not only to produce the necessary material but to make sure that everything is done in such a way as to facilitate the work of the programmers who will have to assemble the job.I think this job is full of challenges and moments of crisis to overcome therefore I think the best skill you can have is not so much the technical ability but the ability to solve problems quickly in a functional way at work and respect for the initial idea.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

I have participated in the past in cultural events in which I exhibited my works, certainly an artist for a long time in society, not necessarily participating in public events pro bono, I think the value of what an artist from society is in the work he does every day enriching everyone's visual culture and I think this is something that will be supported mainly based on my experience.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

It was exciting to participate in this design competition both personally and professionally. It is important to use these opportunities as a test to understand if you are proceeding on the right path and to show your work. Surely whether you win or not there are various advantages including visibility and a recognition of quality in being selected. Being the Design of the day is certainly a great satisfaction, this experience confirms that I have to continue on this path.

Design Interview

Orfeo and Euridice Videogames · 20 questions

The work is based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, the goal of my work was to combine a classic story with a sci-fi imaginary with fantasy components.To do this I had to create a new plot based on the original…

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

The work is based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, the goal of my work was to combine a classic story with a sci-fi imaginary with fantasy components.To do this I had to create a new plot based on the original, keeping unchanged the roles of the characters. The basic idea was to keep the message but rework it for a modern media such as video games and to be able to create a credible adaptation, each character has been rethought to be "playable" or NPC, with suitable clothes, armor and objects to a videogame action.The main inspirations videogames such as Anthem and Destiny but also Dead Space, all works that have marked me as a player and as a designer, as well as reference artists such as Anthony Jones, Karl kopinski, Mike Azevedo and many others.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

The main objective was not only to rework the classic plot to make it more performing for the modern market, but also to make the characters interact with the player following all the parameters of a video game. In particular, my goal was to create a very different graphic line between the protagonists and antagonists of the story, trying to give the characters a never-seen and fresh look without losing the solemnity of a classic theme, so to create this separation between Good and Bad I have decided to give a technological aspect to men who in fact use high-tech armor, and to villains a mutant aspect, without losing in both cases elements that call fantasy such as swords, bows, weapons in general and mythological references.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

I hope to be able to bring to light the definitive project and maybe even further expand the world that I tried to create in this work. So I think the project will continue to grow and if there will be an opportunity I will try to finalize it all. It would be fantastic to give my own version of a story to which I am very attached.

How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

I worked on the design of this project for a year in which I found myself facing the whole creative process from the design phase, where the ideas were in the embryonic phase, until then developing all the characters with advanced material such as turnarounds and character assets and the illustrations that have been presented.

Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

The project was developed during my training period at Scuola Italiana di Comix in Naples. The theme was entrusted to me by Andrea Scoppetta, teacher of the master I attended, who asked me to refer to the classic myth and gave me maximum freedom on how to develop history and designs.

Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

The project was not produced or used by any company at the moment, it would be interesting to develop this product together with a corporate team. As for selling or renting the product, I am open to evaluating the offers but obviously I would like to be part of the development team.

What made you design this particular type of work?

It has been a long time since I wanted to work on a similar project, especially on the concept phase, plus I always loved Greek mythology and being able to work on a theme so being able to blend it with my imagination was a very interesting challenge that came at a very particular moment of my life.

Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

The main influences derive from the videogames that I have enjoyed more, obviously I am a longtime videogamer. There are also many artists that I constantly follow and who are an inexhaustible source of inspiration such as: Antony Jones, Ruan Jia, Mike Azevedo and many others, in addition I had the pleasure of having great artists as teachers such as Andrea Scoppetta, Barbara Ciardo and Mario Teodosio who have always stimulated me

Who is the target customer for his design?

Children aged 12 and over, the project was designed for an audience of teenagers and adults.

What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

The fusion of classic, sci-fi and fantasy areas in a modern version and particular attention to shapes

How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

Is the original name of the myth to which it refers, I thought for a long time if it were appropriate to change the title, perhaps by inserting a subtitle but in the end I decided to leave the original title

Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

I work completely digitally with a Wacom Cintiq 13, as software I have mainly used Photoshop and Blender 3d in some cases.

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

I believe that the designs of my project have the characteristic of being very original, and I believe that the designs are credible and functional.

Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

I worked on the project alone, my goal in addition to creating a product was to increase as much as possible was to increase my skills on the entire production line.

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

Fundamental, it is completely realized with digital tools and it would not have been possible to carry out the work in the same time frame in a traditional and manual way.

Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

Obviously when you are faced with the design of a product for the public, market research must be conducted in order not to miss the target. As for me, I tried to understand the momentum of the moment to understand what the public liked. Clearly reworking it according to my ideas and always trying to bring something new. I am convinced that we must not only follow the trend but take advantage of the market trend to allow people to enter their imagination.

What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

Definitely find new designs and a new appeal. There are very good artists around and a great production on the market which is very competitive. it's always a challenge to create something new and never seen, but it's also the funniest part.

How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

I have always believed in this work, and in particular in the research that I apply when I create a new design, this research in some cases cost me a lot, but I was convinced that sooner or later it would give its results. I decided to enter the competition after receiving an email from the A design Award that informed me that my design had been noticed and selected for the competition and I decided to get involved.

What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

There are certainly obstacles in the design phase that always constitute new challenges, basically it has enriched me a lot in reasoning outside the box to put my ideas into practice in a new way. it was also a great experience on a technical level to put into practice a new pictorial and chromatic approach.

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

Thanks to the people who supported me in this project and in everyday life.

Design Legend Interview

50 questions

I studied at “scuola italiana di comix”, I took an illustration course, than a Concept art cour and a master for concept artist.

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

I studied at “scuola italiana di comix”, I took an illustration course, than a Concept art cour and a master for concept artist.

What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

the passion and pleasure I feel in the search for forms and problem solving has always fascinated me to design; this path has allowed me to make my passion a job.

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

It was my choice, I decided to go my way at 19 against the wishes of my relatives, leaving the university. I felt I wasn’t in the right place for me.

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

mainly deal with the design of characters, assets and environments for 2d videogames. I’d like to find a way to deal with experimental projects, I know it’s hard but I’d like to launch a personal project.

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

experience, be curious and passionate about the search for the right look to give to the product, but above all be resilient to the obstacles to overcome.

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

I believe that a good design must ride the wave of fashion of the moment. is the wisest move economically. a great designer must instead overcome the limits and experiment with new things, even if it is safely more risky because it could have less feedback to the public and would suffer economically.

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

its credibility is in fact in its real plausibility. In my field you work with ideas, and it is absolutely necessary that they are likely to be, a good design must be beautiful but also workable.

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

it is very important to have a beautiful design both from the point of view of aesthetics and appeal of the product. In commercial terms it is essential for a company to have a design that can attract many buyers.

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

I would like to develop a board game as a personal project, also for companies in my country such as “Paizo” e “giochi uniti”. I am pleased to have the opportunity to produce illustrations for card games such as “ Magic” by Wizard and “heart of stone” by Blizzard.

What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?

A videogame created by me for a console.

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

I am very fond of the idea of transmitting a certain state of mind through my work. when I draw I try to completely immerse myself in the emotional state I want to convey.

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

Antony Jones, Maik Ozevedo, Thoot Wo, Ruan Jua, Antonio De Luca, Karl Kopunsky

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

I love works by Antony Jones for his research of shape and their expressiveness

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

My version of Caronte. I really like the idea behind that work and how I managed to achieve it.

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

observe the works of those who are ahead of me. this has always helped me in my work.

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

probably the psychologist

How do you define design, what is design for you?

for me the design represents the search for aesthetic beauty.

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

the greatest help were my masters: Andrea Scoppetta, Barbara Ciardo; Mario Teodosio, they not only teach me the job but also they pushed me to improve.

What helped you to become a great designer?

maybe starting late compared to my fellow students, I found myself having to recover ground and this made me discover a very determined side of myself, although I have often suffered for this.

What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

the conflict I had with my parents who wanted me to embark on a university career and the initial distrust in my choice. another obstacle is the economic situation of my country: being behind in this area compared to others, makes the search for work very difficult.

How do you think designers should present their work?

cleanly and clearly, no frills i think taht the essence is much more important.

What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

I am designing illustrations and environments to expand my portfolio. my goal now is enter in the world of publishing and games production as a freelance

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

have fun while I’m working and entertain those who see my products

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

an original and high quality work

How does design help create a better society?

do designe does not mean seeking only the aesthetic factor, but also support ideas capable of improving everyday life, if you imagine objects such as the chairs for the posture or cars with aerodynamic design, in this kind of object designe is of foundamental importance. For me is useful to make people happy.

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

I work on a series of illustrations that allow me to experiment.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

I worked in a team as art director for developping a motion comic. This one tells the story of two autistic children and their family; than i worked as art director for developping 2d game. I like working in team it is very stimulating.

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

I would like to give more space to young people with innovative ideas, even if with little experience. It’s something I often bump into, a lot of people told me “you are perfect for this role, but you haven’t enogh experience”. A labour market less tied to qualifications and more attentive to quality is needed.

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

A lot of people are aiming to virtual reality

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

time always depends on the type of project. I worked on projects that lasted two weeks and projects that lasted even months

When you have a new design project, where do you start?

I start to creation of shapes to do a wurmup of ideas and discard those that do not work.

What is your life motto as a designer?

Never give up!

Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

It depend on designers, there are people who do what the audience likes in that moment, and than there people who try to make a concrete contribution, investing in research and directing it

What is the role of technology when you design?

It is crucial, from the search for reference to the implementation of the real work, because I work in digital only.

What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

I use Photoshop, after effect, animate and blender. My work equipment are: my mac and a Cintiq 13 HD.

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

Colour is one of my workhorse. It is the best thing in my job because it allows you to experiment in an unlimited way through infinite combinations.

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

according to my point of view when people ask you a few questions then the product is really successful. However I always like to talk about the creative process that led me to that result.

When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

I’m always fascinated by it, at that moment I’m a spectator, I wonder how the author got to that point, how he managed the process and which technique, which tools he used.

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

I believe in team work. my ideal work partner is a very practical person and full of inspiring ideas.

Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

My masters, I mean. Barbara Ciardo, Andrea Scoppetta and Mario Teodosio.

Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

Framed Ink by Marco Mathie Mestre, imaginative realism, the art of colour and the book byAndrew Loamis.

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

practicing a lot and always trying to overcome my limits in every job. It’s a mood that can create disquiet, but i think that it is part of my journey.

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

With the best masters of art such as Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci and Bernini.

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

They give me confidence, it is like confirmation that I’m on the right track. I don’t consider myself a famous person, I am pleased to think that I am a person worthy of esteem in my field, to confirm the fact that the research has given good fruits.

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

My favourit colouris green, my place historic center of my city, food pizza, season spring, my favourit object is my cintiq, my logo “rifle”.

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

One day I talked about my job at the bar with my friends, and a guy came up and asked me to draw him a tattoo, it often happens when I say that I draw, but this time it was very funny.

What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

At the beginning of my day I try to imagine what I’ll create during my job day, and when I finish I hope to be better than the beginning of the day.

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

I don’t know. I loved drowing, but I wasn’t even that talented. I won’t lie by saying “It’s what I’ve dreamed of since I can remember” as many people say. it was a journey that I decided to start when I was 19 years old, it was quite tiring. fortunately my passion has always pushed me to continue.

What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

we are in a world in which everyone is immersed in great conflicts, mainly due to education, to society, to market economy. I think it has been understood that to feel good you have to go from majority thinking to minority thinking, even if crushed by economic interests, it was the most intelligent thinking. I am called to become more intelligent, it isn’t a bad thing. I imagine a humanity that has learned to respect and take care of the planet.

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

When I was youg and I saw people in my position now, I imagine them like super heroes. I was wrong. I find myself here I feel like I’m a normal person, with normal problems, doubts and uncertainty. however I always try to improve myself as a person and then as a professional. through my drawings I always try to entertain my audience and to stimulate anyone who does me the honor to stop and devote some of his time to see them.

Designer Interview

40 questions

I’ve always been interested in art and design, it’s a passion I’ve cultivated since I was a child. I’ve always loved to draw, but for a long time I didn’t consider it a job, it was only a hobby or an escape route.

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I’ve always been interested in art and design, it’s a passion I’ve cultivated since I was a child. I’ve always loved to draw, but for a long time I didn’t consider it a job, it was only a hobby or an escape route. the first recognition I had participating to a contest for amateurs “IMAGO” organized by “Comicon Napoli”. I took the road of drawing seriously after high school, when I left University ti study “Illustration” at “Scuola Italiana di Comix”, then I study there “Concept art”.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

I worked at “GBS Italia” for almost two years, after two weeks from the end of my studies. I looked after: illustration, concept and development of character, assets and environments for the production of 2d games also taking care of the animation. A few months ago I decided to leave the company to become freelance.

What is "design" for you?

Design is a fundamental part of the work, comes before the return and treatment of the work, it gives a soul to the idea: it makes a production work. I think that design is not only the appearance of a product, but the result of a precise and targeted research.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Surely planning the design of characters and environment of a videogames; I like to participate in the planning phase of the project and turn the idea into a drawing.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

In respect of the Sci-fi part “Antheme destiny” are my reference point; for Fantasy world “war of warcraft” is; I like to use as reference artists and stimulating products to expand my point of view and to evade the forms like “Antheme destiny” and “war of warcraft” do.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

Illustration and interface for a videogames screen

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

I studied and worked all the classical and manual techniques, but now I work in digital with Photoshop only and i think that I’ll never come back.

When do you feel the most creative?

In the morning in a quiet and calm situation

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

My focus falls on image silhouette and shape, so I prefer the global vision that the spectator can have at the first sight, and so I like make functional what I’m drawing, it is a fundamental thing to make the live and credible product.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

I’m usually a curious person, I love seraching anything that i don’t know what it is,I think that it’s a funny process.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

it is always a source of happiness and pride to see your work finalized. often the creative process can be full of difficulties; when I see the finished product, it can give great satisfaction and I forget the fatigue.

What makes a design successful?

a successful design is the result of careful research, I try to teach the client something innovative, but it must also give emotions, like something already tried in the past. For me this is a very important aspect

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

How the shape is interesting and how much the silhouette can tell me

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

I think that the designer responsability is to show through their own imaginary and their own ideas, a differnt concept of things, trying to direct people towards creativity. another important aspect is to combine the aesthetic shape with the functionality of the object.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

is a sector that evolves very quickly, rich of creatives people, i’ve seen in these yars a search for new forms that has given great result; however I noticed that the trend is going towards a return to the past, so I think that we can see a reworking of obsolete things in a modern key.

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

I’ve never participated in an exhibition, this is the first.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

there are many creative people with exceptional abilities, they are my inspiration; I look at the work of my masters and profetional of concept art, they inspire me to give my best.

How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

I call my style semi-realistic, something between figural realistic and stylized approach of shape and colour; I think that this kind of approach is more free because it gives me the opportunity to experiment instead of a well-defined style that places limits. I prefer a type of approach in my job that allows me ti undertand how to give strength to the image with few lines. For the first time I define an idea and than I add the details.

Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

I live in Naples, its cultural heritage. influence my way of working. I have always used this cultural heritage like a reference. I don’t find any good and bad, naples is a city that has a lot to offer, I try to exploit the positive to my advantage.

How do you work with companies?

Now, I do it as an external resource and as a freelance.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

select people based on their skills and ideas, and not only their CV and schooling, I think that the experiences, the abilities and skills are the most important in the creative sector.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

when I start a new project first i seek the inspiration in my favorite art references: the creative process consists of a series of tests to give shape to the idea. initially work with essential shape so not to waste too much time, than I Step to the study of the character, trying to maintain a traditional approach also in the digital form.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

My Mac, the cintiq I work with, my watch, my workstation chair and my kitchen furniture

Can you describe a day in your life?

Usually in the mornig, I wake up at 8.30 and one hour later I’m at work. I start with exercize to loose the hand for 20 minutes, than I work until 13.30. after lunch I rest for an hour or two, tahn i work until 19.00. in my free time I do some sport and meet my friends.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

I remember a day when my teacher asked me only “Why?” and I aswered “ why not?”. Ait was in that moment, I think, I have earned his esteem. no one can tell you what you can or cannot do. Just do it.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

The positives aspects are: do a challenging and challenging job, love what you do, think outside the box. Some situations are not easy to manage especially short-term deadlines, bring stress.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Never give up. this is a job for seekers, you can’t settle for the first test.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Mental flexibility and problem solving and a great fantasy.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

I work in digital with a cintiq 13yd, on Photoshop the instruments such as levels and brushes are chosen according to the kind of work, my favorites I use them always adapting them to the situation, my supporti are: a manual of colour and imaginative realism, photo and reference by pinterest and art station.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

I dedicate the right time to things in draft phase, without having a time limit, i know when the lines guide are clear and good for the next step.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

It depend on the project that i have in my hands, usually for a commission does not take more than two days.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

A lot of people ask me “How can you imagine such things?”

What was your most important job experience?

although as a freelancer he had many satisfactions, i think that the most important training experience was working in a studio.

Who are some of your clients?

currently working for private commissions, occasionally for companies and companies with short-term projects under illustration and concept art.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

i love work on environments, I find it interesting to experiment with wider color ranges and I think it is relaxing. I like working in character’s visual development phase, because I love planning their shape according to theirpeculiarity.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

I just started working as a freelancer and the lockdown stops my plans. I will devote my time to job search in the videogames, board games and editory sectors.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

I also worked in team and as art director, but now I work alone at home.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

I’m starting to design new illustrations in fantasy, and conceptual entironment for a personal study of colour.

How can people contact you?

On my personal mail address: p.iarossi_6@libero.it

On Behance you can see my online portfolio and contact me:https://www.behance.net/piarossi_67294

On My Instagram profile:https://www.instagram.com/paoloiarossi/?hl=it

On my Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/PaoloIarossiArt/

On Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolo-iarossi-7a583316b/?originalSubdomain=it

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

I would remind those who do my job never to be discouraged. it’s a long and winding road especially if you have a few people who believe in what you do.

I feel like saying thank you to the people who have always believed in me.

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Paolo Iarossi regarding Orfeo and Euridice Videogames comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.