Navigating the Change
A Path of Resilience and Professional Rediscovery
Life is full of surprises, unexpected turns, and challenges that test us. In the midst of personal and professional transformation, it's enlightening to consider the larger shifts happening around us.
The World Economic Forum's 'Future of Jobs Report 2023' highlights a dynamic landscape where certain roles are rapidly growing while others face decline. For instance, the report underscores the increasing demand for roles in technology sectors, such as artificial intelligence and green economy jobs, reflecting a global pivot towards sustainability and digital innovation.
But what happens to those who are not in these two groups and must face the storms of change?
I therefore considered it interesting to share my journey which, even before the great global changes has been filled with drastic shifts.
Transitioning from being a children's fashion designer, I found myself in London where the job for which I had studied and worked for years was not in demand, and my English level at the time was not sufficient.
Unexpectedly, I found myself working in an incubator for a newly-founded startup in Shoreditch as a Visual Designer. Within a few years, I moved on to work in dynamic Berlin as a UX Designer, gaining significant experience relevant to my peers.
Then, unexpectedly, a health issue forced me to reevaluate my priorities and start from scratch. It was in the midst of this storm that I discovered resilience, the inner strength that allows you to stand up, reinvent yourself, and forge new paths.
Armani baby mini collection - 2011
My UX team at ImmoScout24, Berlin - 2016
“In the next five years, almost a quarter of jobs (23%) are expected to change through growth of 10.2% and decline of 12.3%, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023.”
Resiliency as a lighthouse
Reinventing oneself at 37, or any age, may seem daunting. Yet, it's through change that we uncover our true capabilities. Resilience is not just about overcoming adversity; it's the courage to look beyond, to dream anew, and to chase new passions.
For me, creativity has been the guiding thread through career changes, allowing me to turn a hobby born out of sadness into my new profession, my new dream.
First professional sketch book, London 2015
The first label I completely designed, Vinitaly 2022
Career Change: A Leap into the Unknown?
Changing careers mid-way can feel like a leap into the unknown, but can also be an unexpected opportunity for professional growth.
Not always a detailed plan or too specific goal is necessary from the start. Often, a general idea of the field you want to work in and a desire to explore new possibilities are enough. Then, as you move and act, opportunities begin to present themselves!
The experience taught me that even if things don't go exactly as planned, they still find a way to fit and take shape in ways we could never have imagined.
My workplace at home, from 2017 to 2021
The first times I took the microphone in my hand to share my experience, Verona 2018
I opened my first studio with my friend and classmate from fashion design school, Giulia Dal Bosco, in 2021 in San Pietro in Cariano.
The Courage to Begin (Again)
Starting over doesn't mean erasing the past but building on what we've lived, learned, and dreamed.
Each experience, each skill acquired along the way, becomes a valuable piece of the mosaic of our professional lives. I'm writing about this journey because I want to share a simple but powerful truth: it's never too late to reinvent yourself, to pursue new passions, to write a new chapter in your story.
First project as a creative studio, Pizzolato 2021/’22 began by designing a wine label and eventually expanded our collaboration to develop three websites and an e-commerce platform for the Pizzolato winery. In this instance, my expertise in UX design and familiarity with the industry enabled me to assemble a team of professionals to undertake an ambitious project for a rapidly expanding client.
First publication - Utilizing my past knowledge of textile design to create the cover of Pint Lover 2018. The design was then purchased and included in the Icma paper catalogue
Since 2018, I've been adding hobby illustrations to a catalogue. Through Spaceneil and Officina Pixel, we've built a lasting partnership, and since 2019, I've been regularly present as a brand in the store and online. We now offer over 70 designs for customers on demand.
The impact of sharing
As I approach my thirty-seventh birthday, I find myself at a crossroads, embracing a moment of profound change both professionally and personally. This period signifies more than just another year; it's a harbinger of transformation, where my burgeoning passions for decoration and spearheading large projects, despite their seeming disparity, converge into a thrilling new chapter.
My intent in sharing this journey is not just to document my own path of career transition, filled with its highs and lows, successes, and inevitable setbacks, but also to foster a sense of community and mutual inspiration.
First drawing workshop for beginners, Branchetto Verona 2022
By openly discussing the realities of navigating the creative freelance world — the triumphs and challenges alike — I hope to not only offer insights into my experiences but also encourage others to pursue their own ventures into uncharted territories, regardless of where they are in life.
Additionally, if you possess insights, advice for upcoming content, or wish to share your narrative for mutual enrichment, please reach out.
Vulnerability as skill
“Take the case of a seed. If the seed constantly tries to save itself, a new life is impossible. The seed goes through the tremendous struggle of losing what it believes is its identity — losing its safety and integrity and becoming vulnerable — in order to grow into a many-branched leafy tree, abundant in fruit and flower. But without that vulnerability, that voluntary openness to transformation, life won’t sprout.”
- Inner Engineering: A Yogi's Guide to Joy by SadhguruFirst foreign commission for a custom illustration 2017
