Italian-born freelance illustrator, Francesco Zorzi, earned an MFA in architecture from the University of Florence before he began work as an illustrator, creative director and designer.

Based in Tuscany, Zorzi is largely influenced by comics, cinema, music and literature. He’s inspired by the pop style of Push Pin Studios, works of Paul Rand, Saul Bass and Italian visual design greats, Bruno Munari and Albe Steiner. He seeks inspiration within his native country of Italy and far beyond its borders.

A member of the Italian Association of Visual Designers, Zorzi has been featured in Communication Arts Illustration Annual 60, 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide, American Design Graphic Awards, 3X3 Illustration Directory and American Illustration 37. His illustration has appeared in The Boston Globe, AdAge, and NPR. Zorzi developed a branding campaign for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and is a contributor to United Airlines’ Hemispheres magazine.

His work is included in Steven Heller’s book, Free Hand: New Topography Sketchbooks and The Illustration Idea Book: Inspiration from 50 Masters by Steven Heller and Gail Anderson.

The illustrator’s style relies upon the selective use of simple graphic elements: flat shape, color, line and texture to create comic-like, original and surprisingly fresh images. His willingness to experiment with the language of visual imagery and a seductive simplicity put his work at the forefront of contemporary illustration today.