Meet Giovanna Crise

We were lucky to catch up with Giovanna Crise recently and have shared our conversation below.

Giovanna, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I do think creativity needs cultivating, but not just on familiar platforms like Pinterest or Instagram. They’re useful, but if I only looked there, everything I do would probably start to look the same.

I try to look elsewhere on purpose—visiting exhibitions, travelling, or paying attention to very ordinary situations. As a multidisciplinary designer, I also find a lot of inspiration in trying things I’m not necessarily good at. This year I explored different hobbies, from sewing to clay and photography, and that kind of hands-on experimentation helps me reset my perspective.

Switching between mediums keeps my thinking flexible and stops me from falling into visual autopilot. I also try not to turn every idea into something productive. Not everything needs to become a finished project or content. Some things are allowed to stay messy, unfinished, or just sit there for a while. Very often, that’s where the interesting ideas start forming—quietly, without announcing themselves.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m primarily the brand lead at illo, creative studio focused on motion design, illustration and art direction, where I work on how the studio is perceived externally—from events and portfolio updates to social media and talks. It’s a role that sits somewhere between strategy and creativity, and it shapes a lot of how I think about design. On top of that, I’m also a Readymag ambassador and a professor of communication psychology at IAAD.

At heart, I’m a multidisciplinary designer. I move across motion design, visual storytelling, and interactive experiences, and what really excites me is blending design with narrative. For me, motion isn’t just decorative, it’s a way to guide attention, create meaning, and build emotional connections. I’m very process-driven and I care a lot about how ideas evolve over time, not just about the final output. Personal projects play a big role here, because they give me space to experiment, follow intuition, and explore themes without a brief constantly asking for answers.

Right now, I’m working on the visual interpretation of my recent trip to New York, translating that experience into a graphic narrative, and I’m also preparing a couple of workshops for Readymag. In general, I’m always drawn to projects that leave room for curiosity and a bit of friction, the good kind that makes you pause and rethink things. And possibly a newsletter is coming on its way 😉

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, one of the most important skills I’ve developed is being willing to try things before knowing exactly how to do them. I’ve learned that waiting to feel ready usually means not starting at all. Trying things, getting them wrong, and figuring them out along the way has been the most honest way for me to learn.

Another key skill for me is working from a strong concept. I really believe that the idea is what holds a project together. Without a clear concept, even the best execution tends to fall apart. When the idea is solid, it becomes much easier to make decisions and keep everything coherent, even as the project evolves.

The third one is presence. Making a real effort to connect with people, both online and offline. I try to use social media as a genuinely social space again, not just a place for passive content consumption. And in real life, that means showing up to festivals, talks, and events in the city I live in. Being present, curious, and open to people has shaped my path as much as any technical skill.

A lot of growth happens simply by being present and open to what’s around you.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I have to say, feeling overwhelmed is something I’m still figuring out. It happens to me way too much because I tend to say yes to a lot of things, I’m still learning. Lately, I noticed that talking to friends helps me a lot (mind blowing, right?). Sometimes they can take a bit off your plate, give advice, or just be that sounding board you need to untangle your thoughts. Often, overwhelm is just that mental knot and you need to understand what strings need to pull. After having read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, I’ve learn what powerful tool is writing. Getting things down clarifies what’s actually going on in your head and it’s an incredible way to get curiuos with your thoughts and emotions. Oviuosly, the easiest thing is also to take a break. Your body’s probably telling you it’s too much, and in this case simplifying is key. It’s all about seeing what you can delegate or simplify. Honestly, since I got someone helping with house cleaning, it’s been a game changer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://giovannacrise.xyz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciofanadrago/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovanna-crise/