Zooppa Highlights: Interview with Illustrator Laura Bernardi

This post is also available in: Italiano

In our newest interview, we made time to talk to an emerging talent: Laura Bernardi. Young, but with a very defined style already, Laura is a source of inspiration for all in the world of graphic design and illustration. She brings a new enthusiasm and a fresh look—and maybe even a resource or two to collaborate with!

Let’s get started by getting to know Laura a little better!

What led you to become an illustrator / designer?

As a child, I spent the afternoons in my grandmother’s studio, who is a painter. There I had free rein to feel and experiment with art. Soon, drawing became a necessity to me. Being a very solitary and introverted person, it was the way I was able to communicate better with the outside world.

I realized very early that art would be an integral part of my path and from there I never stopped exploring techniques and shapes.

Tell us about your journey… How did you get to do what you do?

After high school, I studied illustration at the International School of Comics. I attended some short courses in storytelling, anatomy, coloring, character design, and this helped me a lot to acquire the various pieces and put together different information.

I am a very precise person (sometimes overly so). When I discovered vector illustration, I found the gear to synthesize and understand shapes and forms in a completely new way. However, I also like instinctively creating things so my goal is to find the right balance between the precision of the technique and spontaneity.

I still have a long way to go!

The things I make are visible on Behance and on Instagram.

Who are your favorite artists / designers at the moment?

The list is endless. And new names are added every day! However, the artists at the top of the list are Lorenzo Mattotti, Maria Medem, Sara Andreasson and Giacomo Bagnara. They all have different styles but their sensitivity in shapes and color inspires me deeply.

What is the work you created that you love most?

I have just concluded a beautiful project with the Municipal Library of Massa Lombarda, the region where I grew up.

I created the illustrations and the complete layout of the guide for the children who visit the Venturini Museum, located in the library.

It was a very demanding but extremely rewarding project. It allowed me to combine my passion, my work, and the wonderful nature of the place where I spent a lot of my time as a child. I discovered the vastness of narrative forms and started looking for my own way to tell stories in that library.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to travel down the road of graphic design or illustration?

Well, I’m only 25 so I still have a lot of things to learn. But my advice is to try not to let yourself stay depressed or down. When you feel stuck or without ideas, try to use another creative technique or set up your work in a different way.

Changing the perspective a little helps you to downsize problems and to see alternative solutions.

But above all, do not compare yourself to others. It can be difficult, but we all travel down a unique and personal path so respect your time and love what you do!

That wraps this interview with Laura Bernardi—there are many interesting ideas that we can treasure and take away:

Firstly, find your own way. You have to experiment and study a lot. Deepening your knowledge of different topics and techniques, as Laura did, allows us to understand what we really want to do and what we are most passionate about.

Finally, approach your collaborative work as a stimulus and an opportunity for growth—get to know yourself, each other, and consolidate one’s style. The road to realization is long but passion, hard work, continuous experimentation, and patience will certainly bear fruit!

Keep following us to find out more about the community and the stories of our creatives. Discover more Creative Interviews in the Inspiration Section.

See you next time and stay connected!