Interview: Simona Massa

Preferred Pronoun?
She/her

Why did you choose to enter this work?
'Gino' is my first picturebook and a project that I am very proud of. It is inspired by my beloved dog, whom I enjoy to observe and draw, but it also gently tackles challenging themes.

What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
Despite a relatively minimalistic visual language, I believe that Gino's personality and emotions come through the book quite strongly, which was one of my core aims.

What excites you most about being shortlisted?
I feel honoured to have been selected among all the amazing longlisted projects and to share this space with incredibly talented illustrators.

Where do you usually work?
Generally I work in the spare bedroom, where I have a foldable desk and shelves filled with books and art materials. However, part of the research happens outside through observational drawing.

How long did it take to complete your project?
Three months roughly from initial ideas to a final dummy.

What is your dream commission?
More than a specific subject, I'm looking forward to start a collaborative relationship with a publisher and their team to bring stories to life!

What’s your favourite thing to draw?
Such a tricky question! I enjoy animals and nature particularly, however I try to draw a bit of everything!

What is your best tip for other illustrators?
Make observational drawing and experimentation part of your research. It can be challenging, but the more you do it, the quicker you start seeing your skills and visual language develop.

What are your plans for the future?
I am currently working on new projects for the last module of the MA, which I will keep developing over the next months, followed by graduate shows.


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