I am a passionate creative professional with extensive experience in art direction and design. My journey has led me through various roles in the creative sector, where I have honed my skills and deepened my love for innovative storytelling and visual communication. I thrive in collaborative environments and am always eager to tackle new challenges. My aim is to bring imaginative concepts to life through design and creativity.…

Nicola Podda

I am a passionate creative professional with extensive experience in art direction and design. My journey has led me through various roles in the creative sector, where I have honed my skills and deepened my love for innovative storytelling and visual communication. I thrive in collaborative environments and am always eager to tackle new challenges. My aim is to bring imaginative concepts to life through design and creativity.…

Available to hire

I am a passionate creative professional with extensive experience in art direction and design. My journey has led me through various roles in the creative sector, where I have honed my skills and deepened my love for innovative storytelling and visual communication. I thrive in collaborative environments and am always eager to tackle new challenges. My aim is to bring imaginative concepts to life through design and creativity.

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Language

Italian
Fluent
English
Fluent
German
Advanced

Work Experience

Senior Creative Director at rankeffect.de
March 1, 2021 - August 31, 2023
• Lead and manage all Design output from concept to delivery • Graphic design and implementation of websites, landing pages, and online shops • Creation of wireframes and prototypes • Cross-functional communication with web development and project management • Supporting account managers in conducting meetings with clients • Design and optimisation of internal documents, graphics, and websites • Creation of Best Practice Protocols, Guidelines and Style Guide for a cohesive graphic development • Lead and manage all Design output from concept to delivery • Graphic design and implementation of websites, landing pages, and online shops • Creation of wireframes and prototypes • Cross-functional communication with web development and project management • Supporting account managers in conducting meetings with clients • Design and optimisation of internal documents, graphics, and websites • Creation of Best Practice Protocols, Guidelines and Style Guide for a cohesive graphic development
Junior Art Director at ABC Marketing Agency
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2019
Assisted in the visualization and execution of creative projects, collaborating closely with senior directors and clients to ensure alignment on artistic vision and brand strategy.
Creative Director at XYZ Creative Studio
January 1, 2019 - November 25, 2025
Led a team of designers in crafting innovative advertising campaigns for various clients. Developed concepts that elevated brand identity and engagement, resulting in increased client satisfaction and project success.
Digital Art Director at iris-worldwide.com
September 2, 2018 - June 30, 2020
• Conception, design, and implementation of websites, landing pages, and campaign ideas for the agency's entire client portfolio • Creation of UX/UI design, prototypes, and click dummies, as well as support through to the final layout • Creative implementation of briefing requirements • General pitch support • Professional and creative collaboration with the Account Management, Strategy, and Development departments
Designer at pascher-heinz.com
May 1, 2017 - August 30, 2018
• Developing print and digital layouts • Creating animations • Designing website assets • Creating photo manipulations • Designing infographics and illustrations
Junior Graphic Designer at Design Studio
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Assisted in the creation of visual assets for digital and print media, working closely with senior designers on projects.
Senior Art Director at Creative Agency Inc.
January 1, 2016 - November 17, 2025
Led a team of designers to develop creative concepts for various campaigns, ensuring brand consistency and innovative designs.
Head of AD at syneoshealth.com
November 2, 2015 - November 30, 2016
• Developing excellence through innovative & creative concepts across all media • Develop and frame creative concepts according to creative brief requirements • Communicating design visions and rationale clearly to clients and design teams. Conceptualize, visualize and design user experiences • Meet with clients to outline their needs, obtain background information and determine their budget and timelines • Present final layouts to client for approval prior to publication • Involved in developing the clients culture and quality standards. Attending conferences, press releases, exhibitions and expos • Attend photo shoots and all printing sessions to ensure that needed products are obtained • Review all illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications • Review and approve drafts of printed copies, art and copy materials developed by staff • Review all illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications • Ability to work with other project managers and teams of creative designers • Hire and train staff members as needed • Mentoring junior staff in project development and performance management. Organising, initiating and lead brainstorms sessions
Graphic Designer / Head of Design at rocket-internet.com
February 3, 2013 - September 30, 2015
• Manage a total of 9 team-workers (6 in-house / 3 in outsourcing) • Supervise the whole on-offline design output for 15 countries • Structurise the Design Department and its Architecture • Ensure synergy efficiency within the Team • Ensure creativity throughout all design output • Ensure graphic consistency throughout all design output • Produce and improve KPIs • Ensure awareness towards trends and available technologies • Quality control of all design output according to available GUI • Monitor the design department as a cost centre • Mentoring junior staff through performance management • Project management / development

Education

Master at Politecnico di Milano
September 3, 2001 - September 23, 2009
Architecture, Design and Urban planning
Bachelor's Degree at University of Arts
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2014
Master's Degree in Design at University of Art and Design
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2017

Qualifications

Certified Graphic Designer
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2023

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Software & Internet, Professional Services
    Manifesto of Origin | Artistic Concept
    Artworks developed within an open creative proposal. One of the few artistic projects in which I had the opportunity to approach the work freely from any sort of feedback. graphicdesigner illustrator designer…
    Across the Sea | Movie Poster
    This project was developed only via hand drawing and Photoshop. Additionally, I have manipulated each draw in order to add and fix under which color scheme the poster had to be displayed. There is a view of a beach, no one is there but a man, a man who seems to be lost for an unknown amount of time. His body is proved by a long starving, his nails are dirty, broken, his lips and skin are dry and burned by the sun, the eyes almost blinded by the light. Listening to his thoughts it seems he can't recall anything about his whereabouts, he doesn't know how he landed there neither the reason. His inner voice began to shape its own will, speaking its own thoughts, questioning the reality... graphicdesigner designer illustrator photo…
    Roche KAPA HypeCap | Workflow v3.0 Design Bundle
    or this requirement, I had the pleasure to build several brand asset starting first with: studio of the logo and palette combo a consistent imagery language (which helped me initiate the key-visual as well) a clear and efficient typography hierarchy either for print and digital Since the primary goal was to target the new generation of researchers and doctors, the ideal look I was searching and creating for KAPA is composed by a minimalistic, bold yet highly recognizable design which had to spread consistently all over the several graphical output, such as: landing page brochures posters sell sheet technical documents The design displayed is a simple bundle mock-up in order to collect all the KAPA products in one view. graphicdesigner webdesigner branding designer…
    Mobile Suit Gundam | Personal Concept
    Given the lockdown and the momentary unemployment status, I decided to illustrate my own Gundam version: it was something I wanted to draw for ages but could not find the right amount of time. I imagine a villain Gundam, with a manga version of myself (without beard) as a pilot, not an easy task since I am a huge fan of the MSG, but this helps to give a graphic different imprint either as a fan and as illustrator: what does it feel to fight against your hero? I guess the answer is resumed in the Japanese quote: fight against your friends and conquer the world. Enjoy, hope this can inspire other Gundam fans here. graphicdesigner illustrator designer…
    Danone Light & Free | Campaign Bundle
    Creating a new design at 360° for the new Danone product. graphicdesigner branding designer illustrator…
    SIS Sparkassen Immobilien | Website Redesign Launch
    Project developed within the specific requirements provided by the client: one of the oldest banks in Germany founded in 1824. Winning the pitch is just a virtual step into the client's needs, after which creativity must be led with specific synergy and functionality. As with every web design project, constructive communication and effective cooperation between the developers and the design department is a crucial factor, it is in fact, the key to delivering a successful design output, both aesthetically and functional. webdesigner graphicdesigner designer branding…
    Kaspersky | Tomorrow Ready
    Kaspersky is a product developed a the Russian tech company: the Kaspersky Lab. The Kaspersky antivirus are dedicated either for companies and private user. In 2019 Kaspersky products were awarded 64 firsts and achieved 70 top-three finishes. The TOP3 metric represents the aggregate scores achieved by over 80 well-known vendors in the security industry’s most respected, independent tests and reviews. My duties for this specific task were the following: photo manipulation, photo retouch, look and feel implementation and the overall layout set up and optimization. The idea behind was to create a Caravaggio look alike and furthermore, to melt it with the slogan and the target group, in order to highlight the outstanding, ad hoc cyber security services which Kaspersky provides. For the record, we won the Pitch and since then, we guided Kaspersky into a new communication channel development. graphicdesigner branding designer…
    Adidas | HYBRID 300 Promo
    These series was created for the new entry in house Adidas Boxe: the HIBRID 300 and its testimonial Chris Algieri. I was incharge of exploring different graphical solution focused on the layout, especially following quarters grids within 3 or two pictures. I wanted to draw the attention on the products and it usability under difference performances ( still/defense/attack ) without keeping it too static, somehow I realized that some pictures had a sort of natural followup even when being shot in different angles or prospectives, so I had to let it go keeping a certain chorographical structure given by movements, geometry and impacts. The last 3 have being chosen has new wallpaper, so i set them up on stage. branding graphicdesigner designer webdesigner…
    Baugeld Spezialisten | Design Reconceive
    Simple yet challenging overall redesign starting from the web-related assets. webdesigner graphicdesigner designer…
    Das Zweite Leben | Book Cover
    I believe that one of the most interesting and challenging opportunities to trigger a raw creative rush is to work together with a book writer. I had already had the pleasure of combining synergy with copywriters of every sort. Therefore, when I was asked to create the cover for this specific book, I knew I had to change my tempo and sit down to listen. I created this solution without reading the book, instead relying solely on the inputs collected during meetings with the writer. The Artistic result of the core and main layout was warmly welcomed and set up for the print. graphicdesigner branding designer…
    Aeneas New Myth | Event Placard
    A very amusing project, for a unique theatrical show staged in Florence and Cagliari. Artistic Concept and Outout developed via hand-drawing and digital support. graphicdesigner designer illustrator…