Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessia Piccoliori.
Hi Alessia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I come from a small village of the Italian Dolomites mountains called Santa Cristina Val Gardena. Although it is a place known for its ski slopes, I started playing tennis at the age of five. Tennis quickly became a main part of my life, I was always rushing from school to practice, then home to do assignments. While balancing tennis and academics, I also developed a passion for art and sketching that I was able to explore more in high school through specific design courses. I knew I wanted art to be part of my future, but I also couldn’t imagine giving up tennis after everything I had put into the sport. Looking into college opportunities in the U.S. felt like a natural choice to be able to pursue both my passions. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with tennis, but I’m incredibly grateful that it led me to Savannah, where I have the chance to study at one of the best design universities worldwide, and connect with amazing creatives who inspire me daily. Design is something I’ve always paid close attention to, and being able to study it at a high level, while growing as both a designer and a person, is exactly what my younger self would have hoped for. I am about to complete my BFA in Graphic Design, and I could not be more excited (and a little nervous) about my future!!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Moving to a new country far from friends and family is never easy. Although I have always wanted to move out of my tiny town, I have had some obstacles along the way. Firstly, there is always the language barrier that does not help when trying to adapt to a new place. The humor changes, behaviors, and ways of connecting with people… I always tend to feel a little awkward and uncomfortable in situations that are new or different to me, so it definitely took some getting used to. I do feel lucky that I am part of a college athletic team—the tennis team—because it helped me incredibly to find people to talk to and relate to right away. However, being a student-athlete at a college that requires a big time commitment has been the toughest part. On one side, tennis keeps gifting me memories that I will keep for life (winning important matches, sharing moments with my teammates…), and on the other hand, being able to balance academics, practices, sleep, and leisure time is not easy. Nevertheless, I would not trade the last couple of years for anything. Coming here has brought me immense joy, and it keeps gifting me amazing memories that I will always remember.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Visual Designer specializing in graphic design with an added skill in motion graphics. My work attitude is shaped by my experiences as both a student and a student-athlete. The lessons tennis has taught me extend beyond the court and into my creative process. The most important one that I learned is that my best work comes from having fun with the process, and finding enjoyment in the little things.
Recently, I have been working with the magazine and media platform Racquet, which has allowed me to create some tennis-related graphics, which is something that I extremely enjoyed and would love to keep doing in the future. Overall, I like working on brand identities and event designs, whether sport, music, or design-related. Collaboration with other creatives is something that I enjoy and look out for as well.
I enjoy playful, vibrant designs that surprise you, but that also have a very clear attention to detail, and I strive to create work just like that!
What makes you happy?
People I love make me happy, and feeling loved by people I love makes me happy. Finding connections in general makes me happy, whether it is a short, meaningful interaction or an instant connection on the job or in class. Having a purpose and a goal, is what keeps me happy and motivated throughout. It keeps my mind calm and clear, focused on my goal. Having something to look forward to pushes me and keeps me on my feet at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alessiapiccoliori.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aless.ori/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessia-piccoliori/
