Graphic designer and illustrator, Stefano Marra remembers spending most of his childhood drawing, a passion which began by copying covers of Disney movies when he was just five years old. Based in Italy, this early passion would eventually blossom into a career, with clients that include publications like Wired UK and The Wall Street Journal, as well as brands like NBA Italy, Fast Company, and Datum.
Drawing inspiration from giants like Pablo Picasso, Fortunato Depero, and Saul Bass, his illustrations are bold and graphic, relying on minimal compositions and restricted color palettes. What makes Marra’s drawing style stand out is its simplicity. It’s the kind of art that would make for a great poster.
“My creative process is very simple,” he relayed in an interview with Illustrators’ Lounge. “I try to make a lot of sketches and work to the idea that I have (if I have already an idea) or try to bring the inspiration from art and artist that I like. But the idea could come from other sources. So I’m always curious to find a new inspiration.”
“I think that the idea is the center of my work,” he stresses. “If the original idea is good, if it can transmit something, then you can work on it in many ways. Never be trivial, try to find your own way to communicate something.” Take a look at some of his simple, but striking, work, in the gallery below.
