IED Alumni Interview: Andrea Crespi

IN A NUTSHELL:

• IED Milano
• Industrial Design - 2014
• NFT Artist | Creative Director at Andrea Crespi Studio

BIO & ACHIEVEMENTS:

After graduating in Industrial Product Design at IED Milano, he began his career in visual arts communication as an art director.

Andrea Crespi is an artist who loves to experiment, through a constant search for different media, from the more traditional ones to the digital ones that have led him to an affirmation in the international crypto art scene with NFT works. His recognisable and constantly evolving style is a new pop key to optical art: the seductive lines of female bodies mingle with the iconic black and white optical lines. 

Involved in numerous collaborations with famous fashion brands, he never misses an opportunity to support critical social causes, as when he auctioned the original NFT artwork and the fine art print, inspired by Steve McCurry’s “Afghan Girl” (1984) on charitystars.com to support the OTB foundation projects in Afghanistan. 

His latest work was the New York display on the famous screens in Times Square, of the NFT artwork 'Propaganda'. 

Here's what The Cryptonomist writes about him:

"For the artist, the concept of art cannot have a univocal, closed and immutable definition. Art, according to Andrea, can manifest itself in many ways. It is the possibility of still feeling wonder, the most elegant way of asking uncomfortable questions, and it is beauty and truth. Andrea states that he is extremely comfortable with technology, seeing it almost as an extension of himself (...) Digital art is his natural habitat, his point of departure and not of arrival."

INTRODUCE YOURSELF:
Hi, my name is Andrea Crespi, I am an Italian visual artist. I attended IED Milano and in 2014 I graduated as an industrial designer.

YOU NOW:
I worked several years as an art director and designer in a creative agency in Switzerland. I gained a lot of experience working with many companies in Italy and abroad. But my direction was different, so after a few years of waiting I managed to open my art studio and dedicate myself totally to my artistic research. I am often called upon to collaborate with brands on artistic projects. In one of my last important projects I collaborated with BVLGARI during the fashion week in Milan. I am currently working on my first art exhibition.

CREATIVITY:
IED allowed me to understand the importance of creativity. It taught me what it means to research, design, and communicate. It helped me to contaminate my mind by working together with other talented people.

IED LOCATIONS:
Milan was the closest course to where I lived, but also a city full of opportunities and stimulation.

CHALLENGES OF OUR TIMES: We have been forced into changes, our habits have been completely disrupted. Being flexible, facing daily challenges with courage I think has been a great lesson I've learned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Follow what you love. Stay curious. Don't give up at the first difficulty. Work hard. Be nice to people. Repeat.

ADVICE: your recommendations to future graduates for a bright and creative future in your field.
My advice is never to give up and always believe in what you do even if at first it seems impossible, with determination you can achieve everything.

MORE ABOUT YOU:
Instagram is my favorite social media, I hate it and I love it (instagram.com/andcrespi).

LAST BUT NOT LEAST:
Learning how to work in groups has helped me so much. Everyone has their own talents and by working together you can learn so much. My thesis project was related to light design. we designed a lamp that won several awards and mentions in design books.