Raissa Pardini is a multi-disciplinary designer and type artist originally from Italy and currently based in Glasgow. She works predominantly in the arts, music, and culture industries, including designing artworks for bands such as Idles, The Orielles, Squid and ASHE, as well as, working for brands such as, Apple, VEVO, Vans and the New York Times. Known for their strong use of type and graphic expression, some of Raissa’s posters are now part of the V&A permanent collection and she recently partnered with We Present, 99designs and Vista Print to create a short film on ‘colour’, part of a series on the power of design, alongside films by Caterina Bianchini from Studio Nari and graphic designer Jennet Liaw.
Bold colour and typography are at the centre of her inspirational work, which usually comprises of a variety of visual reference points from different decades of the 20th century: 70s quirky use of type, 80s fluro colour and the 90s raw approach to design are common themes. These are all combined in artworks that are unique and fun.
Raissa was always interested in the arts and creativity, but never saw herself becoming a painter or an artist in the more traditional sense. Graphic design has allowed her to use her creative skills in a very multi-disciplinary way, whilst at the same time allowing her to pursue her artistic interests. Growing up in Italy, near Florence, the arts and history of art were prominent in Raissa’s background and upbringing: “Italy gave me history. History as a tool to create new things. But I had to run away when it came to being inspired by new things”. She moved first to Berlin, then London and on to Glasgow, where she started working as a freelance graphic designer and now runs her own studio.
An important part of her creative process is collaboration, which means being very open and honest with people whom she works with. This helped her gain confidence at the beginning of her career and nowadays allows her to create work that truly reflects the brief and client needs. Particularly when working with musicians, Raissa likes to dive deep into conversations with them to truly understand the essence of their art, so as to translate it into visuals. This kind of collaboration pushes her out of her comfort zone and creates work that is always fresh and different.
Raissa’s experiences of sexism in the creative industry have made her speak up against inequality and support other female creatives. As she tells us she’s, “… seen enough to feel very concerned about the position of women in the industry. That’s where I fuel my drive to keep fighting for a healthier community.” She recognises the importance of having a supportive network and says it is important for emerging women designers just starting out in their careers to reach out other fellow designers and let them know: “we are all here for you”.
We caught up with Raissa to find out more about her journey into graphic design, her diverse creative influences, and her passion for working with the arts, music and cultural sector.
How did you first become interested in working as a graphic designer?
Graphic design was the perfect compromise for my interest in art. I never saw myself as a painter, a sculptor, or an architect but I wanted to do something somehow with my creativity. I fell in love with its versatility and multi-disciplinarily aspect. I love being able to work on animations, books, posters, products, and logos at the same time – it really helps in giving my creativity various outlets and suits the way I work 🙂
Describe the path that got you where you are now.
I was always a creative kid and when it came to choosing my study routes opted for graphic design. I didn’t agree with the academic system, and therefore didn’t learn much at uni. It actually put me off design for a number of years! I wasn’t confident around designers, the competition killed me! I felt a bit lost and took some time to immerse myself in music.
I decided to give design another try three years ago, this time on my own terms. I felt the only way it would work for me was to go solo and carve my own career. I moved from London to Glasgow and started my journey as a freelancer. Since then, I’ve opened my first studio and collaborated with lots of different artists, brands, labels, campaigns, and beautiful people. I will never forget the trust people placed in me when I was just starting out and I’m thankful to this day. It helped me to shape a style I didn’t know I had. Today, I’m proud to say some of my posters are part of the V&A permanent collection and I’ve worked on amazing projects with some of the most prolific brands and companies around the world. I also have lots of great new projects to share soon!
You work predominantly in the arts, music, and culture industries. What appeals to you most about these fields?
They are fields that interest me most. They are part of my life. I feel like I can give 300% of myself when I’m excited about something!
Typography and colour are often at the core of your work. Can you tell us a bit more about your creative process, and how you choose the elements for each brief?
Sometimes I start with colours and other times with typography. They are usually the main elements I work with. The process is a bit vague as it changes all the time! I am constantly taking snaps on the street, at supermarkets, buildings, little graphics on the wall that draw my attention. That’s how I get colour inspiration. I see things I like, and I translate them into a completely different context. With typography it is a little different. I usually test lots of different fonts and see how I feel about them, I tend to be drawn to one font and make it define the character in the design. I’ve recently been doing more bespoke typography, which has pushed my creativity further!
You often work with musicians. How do you approach working with people who are creative in a different field? What’s the best way to match music with visual form?
Chatting, chatting, chatting! Make sure we have enough time to sit down and talk about the project, the way both of us feel, the way we envision the project. And then researching lots. Looking for inspirations can reveal the best of the two worlds and show what they have in common. I respect artists a lot and I want the best for their music. I make sure they are always involved in the process unless they wish for me to have complete creative freedom and control over the artwork.
Your work is full of nods and references to the past: 70s album covers, 80s punk zines, 90s icons and bold type. Where do you get inspiration from, and how do you balance all these elements to create a style that goes beyond the current trends?
I collect lots of different things. That’s how I spend my money. Good food and nice things. I love going around markets and picking up old stuff, magazines, books etc. Sometimes I just ask if I can take pictures and that’s how I document what I see. I can’t pick a decade out of the XX century because I’m in love with everything that happened in past decades. That’s probably why I tend to mix things together and make something in my own way!
Can you tell us a bit more about your background, from growing up in Italy to living in the UK via Berlin? What impact have these places had in shaping your creativity?
Massive impact. Italy gave me history. History as a tool to create new things. But I had to run away when it came to being inspired by new things. So, I went to Berlin. Berlin gave me a different perspective of life, but I missed live music and I decided to move to London. London gave me freedom to be who I am, knowledge to understand the person I could be. I made my very best friends here and it will be my home forever. Glasgow gave me a new opportunity in design and I will always be grateful for that, but it’s time to move again and there are a lot of new plans in the horizon!
Tell us about a favourite project that you’ve worked on and why it’s important to you.
I’ve been loving working with my friend the artist Francesco Pearz. He’s from Tuscany, like me, and we’ve known each other from before. He’s moved around a lot like me, but we actually lived together in London for a number of years. We were both in bands that toured– it was fun! During the pandemic, Francesco decided to go solo, which coincided with what I was doing for the first time with design. From the very beginning, we decided to work on his visuals together, and I’ve been looking after all design work for him ever since. He gave me total control of the design, and I was able to experiment with many different things inspired by his music. An amazing collaboration between friends, which has pushed both of us.
How has being a woman impacted your career?
My mum has always been a very inspirational woman to me. She can do anything. She’s fierce. And that inspired me a lot. I’ve always been vocal about my feelings and I’ve always battled against sexism in the industry. I think the way I approached the whole thing helped me avoid some of the sexism in workplaces, since I wouldn’t take any NO for an answer. I would fight, leave, or go elsewhere. That doesn’t mean I haven’t seen enough to feel very concerned about the position of women in the industry. That’s how I fuel my drive to keep fighting for a healthier community.
A lot of people in the creative industries struggle with imposter syndrome and self-doubt. Have you experienced this and how do you deal with it?
Yes! I’m very insecure sometimes and very vulnerable, who isn’t? The pressure we are under to produce so much, so quickly, all the time. That makes us feel very insecure. I started to meditate, that helped so much!
Do you have any female role models or mentors who have shaped your career?
Rejane del Bello, Amber at Femme Type, Laura at Need Thinking, Michela Picchi, Erika Zorzi at Mathery, Sydney at Mom+Pop, Joanie Eaton at Mexican Summer and Sarah Joy at ATC.
If you could go back to the beginning and start your career again what would tell your younger self?
Don’t panic, take your time. You’ll get there when you need to get there.
Do you have any words of advice for women considering a career in the design industry today?
Reach out to fellow designers, we are all here for you. Ask away if you need any help, message us, email us and try to meet us. We should really make an effort to give you our time so you can evolve and build your own career in the best way possible!