A conversation with Cinzia Franceschini
The people that we spotlight in One Blue Dot’s Stories section always emerge synchronistically.
Whether it is through a recent collaboration or an editorial feature for a publication, our words magically connect us to inspiring individuals at just the right time - and that’s exactly what happened when we met illustrator Cinzia Franceschini.
Cinzia Franceschini
We were sitting at our desk making plans on who to profile for our Proust Questionnaire-inspired column (the one that inspired our book, What is Your Idea of Perfect Happiness?) when an e-mail lands in our inbox from our Mexico-based friend and holistic fashion consultant, Farah Liz Pallaro.
“I’d love to introduce you to Cinzia, because I know that her magical creative world will inspire words for your beautiful Proust-themed interviews!”
We instantly recognised Cinzia’s name from a highly popular Italian podcast we’ve long adored, Le Musae, which takes an honest look at the world of us creatives and tries to help make sense of it all - whether it is through sharing practical advice, like how to file your tax returns as a freelancer, or by sitting down for a chat with a psychologist to understand why we are almost always comparing our work to others’. As soon as we read Farah’s message, we knew that our next story was in the making.
With a background in journalism, Cinzia’s illustrations are defined by clean lines and bold colours that capture “invisible energies”. She loves to take her imagination beyond the strict (and often boring) confines of industry expectations, as her brushstrokes tap into the playful free-spiritedness of her inner child to create illustrations that are minimal and immaculately curated. With a portfolio that spans creations for The Poster Club in Copenhagen and DeCasa in Japan, Cinzia’s art resonates with design-lovers near and far.
Of course, the moment Farah connected us, we knew that this Q+A just had to happen, and this is how we came to ask Cinzia ten questions drawn from the Proust Questionnaire: a questionnaire that originated from a parlour game popularised by French essayist Marcel Proust back in the 1900s, and which was designed to reveal the player’s true nature. It also brought us to the microphones of Le Musae, as we discussed in this episode how freelancing can lead us to feel isolated - and what we can do to make it better. We hope these conversations with Cinzia will remind you that your (creative) life is yours - and yours alone - to shape.
Confinamento / Confinement
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being on a trip with the person I love.
What is your current state of mind?
I'm in an ocean of emotions! I'm pregnant, and these past months I've been experiencing a sensitivity and an inner level of attention that I had never experienced before. I'm feeling very creative, strong and fragile at the same time. It's a very interesting moment, and it's affecting every part of my life in a positive way.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, who or what would she/he/it be and why?
I don't know who I would be, but I'd be curious to know how it feels to be a man for a while. It'd be interested to see and feel the world from another perspective, and I'd love to know if, as a man, I'd actually be able to let go of some things and embrace simplicity in a wider way.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
There are moments in which I see everything, I want to control everything and that leads to moments of heavy overthinking. I'd let go of all this.
Aspettare le stelle cadenti / Waiting for the falling stars
What is your greatest regret?
I have a great respect for my past choices and, even though I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes, I don't regret anything.
What is your most treasured possession?
Maybe my pregnancy videos :) Over the past months, I've been recording short videos of the growing belly, of the first kicks and the latest impressive movements. It's something I know I will never see or experience again, and it feels like very precious material to possess.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
A smart sense of humor.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Empathy without being judgmental.
Tuffo / Dive
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having shaped my personal and professional life according to my own standards and vision. It's still a work in progress, but I'm happy I've pursued my own way of living, loving and working.
What is your motto?
Always remember that less is more.