Andrea Giambelli Interview

Andrea Giambelli

On choosing graphic design

I studied architecture and worked as an architect, but I was determined to shift my career towards graphic design. I was already familiar with communicating by drawing and I am very passionate about working with visual communication. But I felt the urge to expand my practice in visual communication to include different approaches and issues rather than just conveying topics that relate to space and the material world like we conventionally do in architecture. I also wished to consider issues of representation that are conceptual and intangible. That’s what brought me to want to pursue design at York. I was living and working in Milan but feeling the urge to transition to communication design.

I gave a lot of thought to moving to Canada because I thought it would present new opportunities. In the end it has, in fact, been a very important choice for my life and my career.

The York MDes program appealed the most to me. I checked out the professors as well as the alumni on the website and it all seemed really interesting. From the beginning I was pretty sure what path I wanted to pursue. I read very good things about the city of Toronto and the fact that it’s a two-year program means it was not too long.

On one’s thesis work

My thesis project makes use of information design and data visualization. I am looking at urban environments and specifically Toronto. Without getting into too much detail, I am using information and data collected within the city experience to create possibly more meaningful connections between citizens and the spaces they live in. I’m pursuing this topic in a variety of ways. I’m doing visual research — “traditional” design work — but I am also learning how to code for design and it has been a very, very big step in my growth as a designer. It is something that I wouldn’t have considered before. I’m also learning to output design work using computer programming in order to try to tie it all together, and I am learning the management skills needed to develop such a comprehensive project. Ultimately, I am proposing a prototype for a mobile application.

On next steps

Right now I’m proposing an application based on a visual survey of five to eight questions that address an issue about the city of Toronto. All the questions address different key points, and each question will inform visualizations that address a specific subtopic in greater depth. The visualizations will be accessible through a web interface or through an app on one’s phone. They will make use of augmented reality technology to allow users to experience urban data in the space of the city since we are talking about the city, and not just at home or in an enclosed space. I’m interested in interpretations of the city from the point of view of an engaged public. It’s a big challenge. Most likely these visualizations will ultimately be collected for a website where I can display them together.

On developing one’s abilities

When I entered the program, I was sure I wanted to go be a designer but I was not sure what kind of design I wanted to do. Maybe branding, maybe editorial, or maybe information design and visualization. The York MDes program gave me the space to explore different paths and in the end I focused on what I really like: information design and visualization. This discipline allows one to balance practice between forms of experimental expression and function. I can be creative but I still need to maintain a structure that organizes the information. A designer needs to avoid presenting what isn’t needed, to avoid misrepresenting information. And so I think the first part my process remains the same as when I was working in architecture.

On inspiration

I’m always looking for inspiration in other forms of design, or things outside of design, or things that are like not specifically related to design. I’m always trying to intellectually connect what I see to what I’m trying to do. But then there’s this other half that is more scientific. Objectivity stresses the need to understand information: how it’s structured and the manner that is the most effective to visually convey that information.

On research

Research is very important. I did a lot of reading in literature and statistics. It also helped that I choose an elective outside the design program which turned out to be a very, very important opportunity. It was a course in the psychology department that was about civilization. From that experience, I acquired most of my research references which brought me to where I am now.

On what’s next

I need to finish writing my thesis paper and prepare all the final design material. I am currently engaged as a teaching assistant here in an information design course and I really like it. I didn’t think about it before, but I am glad to have had the opportunity to teach. I still haven’t decided if I’m going to stay in Canada or if I’m going back to Italy or to another place. I want to work in a studio but since I’m also very much enjoying my experience teaching, I may try to pursue some kind of balance between a job in a design environment and academia. I plan to work in places where I can do the kind work I have learned to do here, specifically, data visualization and information design. This program gave me the experience and tools I need to succeed. I’m not scared to work on other forms of design, but I wish to direct my career in a manner that makes use of my research thus far. This program opened my eyes to a broader idea of design, so I feel I am in a good place as I move into practice.

I definitely want to engage with larger projects, either in Europe or here in Canada. I think larger companies hit a very interesting balance: The work is corporate oriented but it is data driven. This means that since these companies have expertise in using data and information, they are more trusted by clients. This is different from just “doing a logo.” This past summer I worked in the Milan office of the design firm Accurat and I saw that they were treated with great respect, more as design consultants. I thought it was an interesting place to be as a designer, but more significant, I saw what is possible and what they are doing for design. And companies like that are doing very experimental projects. You can work with data to create works of art. You can work with sound. You can work with motion. Those companies are the best ones. I think they are using client work to create opportunities to fuel research and be experimental. In my opinion it’s the best of both worlds.

I like the fact that we are free to explore here. I feel the beginning went by so quickly. If somebody new is reading this I would recommend taking chances in the beginning and questioning why you are doing what you are doing. But then as soon as possible, try and look for ways to convert your ideas to action because it’s really, really, quick and I don’t mean it as a bad thing. It keeps you working.

Early work from Andrea's thesis visualizing data that represents home affordability in the city of Toronto.