Gabriella Cervi, official graphic/UX designer and unofficial conceptual director, believes that the most essential aspect of a design is clear communication. “If a design is for a brand, make sure that it makes sense for that brand,” she says. “Otherwise, it’s about making sure the audience understands the key message, which can come from anything from the proper layout to the right typography or color palette. For more conceptual design projects, it’s important for me to create something that keeps the audience engaged.”

Cervi comes from Columbus, Ohio, which is a hub of young creatives. “Seeing my peers’ work really inspires me to push myself and produce good content too,” she says. “The creative community in Columbus is extremely welcoming and helpful. We all just want one another to succeed.” Cervi is happy to pass her insights on to aspiring designers, advising them to create their own projects and explore their skills. “Pick a brand or social issue that you are passionate about and center a design project around it,” she says. “Create a conceptual ad campaign. Design a new brand. Make a magazine spread. All of these things will help you further your skills and enhance your portfolio.” 

Her design approach starts with reviewing the brief, regardless of how big or small the project is. “I make sure that I know all the formats I’ll need, dimensions, deadlines, and client notes,” Cervi says. “Then, I create a style guide in my design file with easy access to logos and colors. I do a lot of design research. I use all forms of design to get inspiration, and if I’m working on a UX project, I’ll use Mobbin for inspiration.” After she has her inspiration, Cervi starts sketching, using paper and a Sharpie to give life to her ideas. “After I’ve finished my sketches, I start creating the real thing,” she says. “Of course, I’ll need revisions afterward.”