Written by Paige Ramsey
Congratulations to our very own Bianca Borghi, who has been named a 2022 Person to Watch by Graphic Design USA! GDUSA has acknowledged notable talent and leadership in the industry for 58 years. Being recognized is an amazing feat. We recently had a chance to talk to Bianca about her accomplishments, inspiration, and life outside of the office.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
The fact that I get to create, make and explore!
What inspired you to enter this field?
When I first started college – I had every intention of pursuing a career as a fine artist – a painter. “I didn’t really know much about the world of digital art back then until Don Martin, my drawing professor, suggested I enroll in a graphic design class. So I did. It was then that I saw just how vast the possibilities of creative expression could be, and I realized I was doing myself a disservice by limiting my medium. I wanted to master in all of it! Pursuing a career in Advertising meant that I could learn, experiment with, and use any medium as a device to communicate ideas that make a difference.
Who do you look to as a mentor/for inspiration?
I look up to every member of the creative team for many different reasons, but I have to say I’ve been marked by my very first mentor in my professional career – Kedgar Volta. He was an Art Director when I first started at Brunet-Garcia 6 years ago, and now he owns a production company that creates (but is not limited to) videos, animations, and blow-your-mind interactive installations. I’ve always looked up to him for his hunger to innovate in the creative field. Even if the ask is simple, he will find a way to flip an idea on its head and invent a new art form completely from scratch.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My free-time hobbies tend to change based on whatever I’m currently interested in learning about. The list has included embroidery, woodworking, photography, juggling, and relief printmaking – but my most consistent free-time activity is running.
Do you volunteer with any organizations?
My Fiance and I are involved with our neighborhood preservation organization, with which I offer design services.
What does this recognition mean to you?
I am grateful to have a career that I’m passionate about, and I love to create, but it doesn’t come without its struggles at times. Any creative person will tell you this field is one that requires a lot of “just keep pushing/trying/exploring until you get there” despite that lingering tinge of self-doubt. This recognition has helped silence those thoughts and given me the confidence to believe in the things I create. It feels so good to know that others see potential in me.
Seeing your name amongst so many other industry leaders, what are your plans to help further the development of this field?
I hope to pass on the lessons I have learned from the many influential people I have had the pleasure of learning from and nurturing a generation of designers that are creating and innovating in ways I could never imagine.
Where and how has your work had the most impact?
I got to work on a campaign for the Ending the HIV Epidemic where we created a series of testimonial-style videos of real people with HIV who were willing to share their stories. During the shoot, we got to know them l as we talked about their hobbies, partners, and other aspects of their day to day and got a glimpse of what life looks like through their eyes. It’s times like these, where we get to spend time with the people we’re actually trying to reach, that we create the most impact. We have a better understanding of where our audience is coming from and are able to create a more authentic product.
Where do you see the field ten years from now?
People are consuming more media in a day than they used to, making the need to communicate ideas through quick visual storytelling more prevalent. Our challenge as designers is to come up with innovative ways to break through the noise. My hope is that we continue to evolve our craft and present new ways of approaching our work in execution. I don’t know what that looks like, but I know I will do my part to keep pushing.
Bianca comes as the second B|G-er to be recognized by GDUSA, the first being Aerien Mull in 2014. Bianca’s approach to her work has created an incredible presence within both our organization and the industry. B|G is grateful for all that she does.