Happy February! It’s a brand new month, but ADC’s Illustration Month continues! January’s theme was such a hit with ADC Members that we just couldn’t let it end last week. This means that we will continue to shine the spotlight on ADC Members who draw for a living — or at least for the love and passion of it all!

Our next featured ADC Member is an Italian-based illustrator who let’s his colorful portfolio do the talking.

 

MARCO GORAN ROMANO
Illustrator
Jesi, Italy
goranfactory.com
hello@goranfactory.com

Follow @goranfactory

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Just about every kid can draw, but not every kid is particularly gifted at it. Where did your childhood artistic inclinations come from?

Since childhood I showed good drawing skills and my mother, who worked in the applied arts field at that time, has always encouraged and supported me.

When did you discover that “Hey, this could actually be a career”?

During my studies at the Industrial Design course at ISIA in Florence, I met Simone Massoni (a young and talented illustrator) and I was impressed by his enthusiasm and ability to transform a passion into a business. That was the moment.

Do you fight against having a particular style, or do you embrace your style as your “brand”?

I am quite convinced that everyone can reach a spot in the wide world of illustration: both the ones who have a distinctive style and the ones who challenge themselves with many. But I believe in this era, in which everyone has the opportunity to be seen, the ones with a unique style could grab the spotlight easily.

Walk us through your usual creative process.

My process is similar to other artists: brief comprehension, drawing drafts and finally vectorization. The real challenge is find a new and non-literal way to express concepts using visual metaphor.

Tools of the trade: do you have any specific pens, pencils or other instruments that you swear by?

My main instruments are my Perfetto Pencils by Louise Fili and PaperMate Flair marker. Without them I feel lost!

What is the most challenging thing about a career in illustration?

Designing timeless illustrations.

Is there a particular project of yours of which you’re especially proud?

This year I’ve worked side by side with a small Sicilian publisher. I’ve created twenty cover illustrations of which I’m very proud of. We trust each other and there is mutual respect.

Cocktail party talk: how do you describe what you do to someone who isn’t in a creative field, and what’s the typical response you get from them?

Usually, when I say “I’m an illustrator!” people look at me with a flabbergasted glance. I try to explain them that I draw for magazines and newspapers, but this is not all, so I also add that when a picture is not enough they call for me. But people also often ask if that means I do comic strips.

Where do you most often seek out creative inspiration?

It may sound boring, but I find inspiration from everything around me: old books, traveling, album covers, stamps, graffiti artists and tattoos.

Which professional illustrators do you look up to and why? 

I’m a great fan of Chi Birmingham‘s work. I like its ability to deal with lights and shadows. I also appreciate Magoz and Javier Jaén‘s works, their way of thinking inspires me a lot!

At the end of the day, what do you love most about being an illustrator?

The awareness of being part of a bunch of people who produce visual culture makes me so satisfied.

Illustration Month continues throughout January and February, and is open exclusively to ADC Members. Not yet a Member? Join today!