We virtually met Emiliano Ponzi by chance during Salone del Mobile in Milan. We’ve been impressed this much by his talent that we decided to drop our usual interview.

Parli inglese? L’intervista in italiano qui

Contemporary Standard} Hi Emiliano, tell us your story.

Emiliano Ponzi} My story starts over every day when I approach to a new work. That’s the beauty of this job, everytime a new dawn and, after an image is done, you learn something new and something you ‘ve learnt is spread over there. You have to give a piece of you to receive another one.
I’m based in Milan and work with Italian clients as Repubblica, Feltrinelli, Coop, Triennale design Museum and with USA and European clients as The New York Times, Le Monde, Time, The Boston Globe, United Airlines. I’ve an agent in Los Angeles, a beloved girlfriend, a family and a couple of true friends.
I love watching at the world from my house window, what I’m not able to see I try to figure out.

Contemporary Standard} Who’s the illustrator/graphic designer from the past which inspired you most?

Emiliano Ponzi} There are so many talented artists around here, very hard to name them all. The big one for me is always Lorenzo Mattotti, his style is unique and the power of his scenes is something that makes room inside you as a high speed train. He is an example of an Italian artist that became famous out of Italy and then, as a boomerang effect, was called for working also here. That’s what is hapening to me too and this is another reason why I feel close to him.

Contemporary Standard} Which moment of the day makes you particularly creative?

Emiliano Ponzi} There isn’t a specific one, guess when the job requires me to be. I think that being creative is a process you can learn, It’s part of the illustrator job and can’t come up randomly. When you face with an assignement your mind activates some mechanisms that bring you,step by step, to arrive on the top of the stairs and, hopefully, to find what you are looking for.

Contemporary Standard} Your work in 3 words.

Emiliano Ponzi} Quite minimal, comunicative, intense (I hope)

Contemporary Standard} What are you working on right now?

Emiliano Ponzi} A couple of book covers, one magazine cover and waiting for some advertising calls, we’ll see what is going to happen.

Contemporary Standard} Say bye to our readers in your favorite language.

Emiliano Ponzi} Ponzi, out!

Images © Emiliano Ponzi