About
I am a pragmatic dreamer. I like to turn vision into tangible success.
I hyperfocus on branding and digital experiences.
I’m a Brand & Digital Designer working at Creative Director level, designing intelligent, emotionally driven systems for global brands.
Of Italian-Ecuadorian origin, I grew up travelling with my parents across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. As a third culture kid, I learned to find home in diversity — a nomadic upbringing that became a crash course in storytelling, empathy, and creativity, and continues to shape how I think and design.
Over the years, I’ve led projects across finance, luxury, and lifestyle. I began my career in Milan,
designing for fashion, art, and design magazines — an experience that shaped my eye for composition,
typography, and visual storytelling.
I later moved to London, where I worked across aviation and global media — including
leading the post-merger rebrand at NetJets, the pioneer of private aviation and a
Berkshire Hathaway company, and directing integrated brand campaigns at the
Financial Times’ in-house content agency for global clients across finance, technology,
lifestyle, and culture.
Today, I work independently and with select agencies as a freelance creative consultant, helping organisations articulate their voice and design coherent, scalable visual systems across platforms.
Principles that guide my work
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Clarity over noise
I turn complexity into calm, scalable design systems teams can use and clients can trust. -
Strategic restraint
Design earns attention through intent and hierarchy — not decoration or volume. -
Systems thinking
Everything is built to evolve: modular components, clear rules, and long-term coherence. -
Craft with purpose
Detail is functional — it improves comprehension, experience, and perceived value. -
Respectful collaboration
I align stakeholders fast, communicate clearly, and keep delivery moving without drama.
Highlights
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Future of Humanity Experience: Redefining Boundaries Through Art, Technology, and Dialogue
2025 — Switzerland
Artwork featured in the exhibition during Art Basel
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Arts & Culture Network
2024 — UK
The fantasy cultural year — Interview
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Creativepool.com
2024 — UK
The Creative Odyssey — #MemberSpotlight interview
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ArtBoxy @ Red Dot Miami
2023 — USA
Digital artwork featured during Miami Art Week
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World Media Creative Vault
Financial Times × Zenith Watches
2020 — UK
A Forgotten Treasure shortlisted finalist (‘Lifestyle, Luxury & Fashion’)
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15th Annual Gramercy Institute
Financial Marketing Strategy Awards — Financial Times × UBS
2018 — USA
Transact.ft.com won ‘Best Global Creative Strategy’ + overall ‘Best in Class’
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DigiDay Awards
Financial Times × Auriens
2018 — UK
Later Life Stories (Series I–III) nominated: “Best Use of Native Advertising” + “Best Branded Content Series”
Experience
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Freelance Creative Director
Gianfranco Fagotto Studio
London & Remote
JAN 2023 — Present
Art Director — In-house Content Agency
Financial Times
London & Remote
DEC 2016 — DEC 2022
Head of Design
NetJets — A Berkshire Hathaway Company
London & New York
AUG 2013 — JAN 2016
For a detailed resumé, please see my LinkedIn or contact me via email
Selected Clients & Collaborations
- I’ve worked with international organisations across finance, technology, luxury, aviation, and culture — environments where clarity, trust, and execution matter.
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Finance & Professional Services
BlackRock · Morgan Stanley · UBS · Credit Suisse · Lombard Odier · Rabobank · PwC · Boston Consulting Group · Pictet -
Technology & Innovation
Amazon Web Services · Google Cloud · Huawei · NTT · Strategia Data Science -
Luxury, Fashion & Lifestyle
Patek Philippe · Richard Mille × Ferrari · Graff · Brunello Cucinelli · Piaget Watches · La Prairie · Xerjoff Perfumes · Laurent-Perrier · Seiko · The Macallan · Zenith Watches -
Aviation & Mobility
BMW · NetJets (Berkshire Hathaway) · Global Airlines · InsiJets -
Media, Culture & Publishing
Financial Times · RCS Corriere della Sera · Prestige Magazine · Kult Magazine · Muse Magazine -
Travel, Tourism & Institutions
Saudi Tourism Authority · Singapore Tourism Board · Switzerland Tourism · Turkey Tourism · Invest Qatar
Creative R&D
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Creative R&D
Creative R&D is an independent space beyond client work — where ideas are tested, disciplines intersect, and new directions emerge. These projects function as a personal laboratory for experimentation, cultural research, and long-term creative development, driven by curiosity, authorship, and intent.
→ Explore Creative R&D -
MUSIC
Music is an ongoing area of research in my practice — spanning sound design, electronic composition, and the relationship between technology, emotion, and narrative. I explore music as a structural and emotional system: a medium that shapes atmosphere, memory, and meaning.
→ Listen on SoundCloud -
VISUAL ART
Alongside design, I develop original illustration and photographic work, exploring form, composition, and visual storytelling outside brand frameworks. Curated works are represented and distributed through established art and stock platforms, circulating across editorial, commercial, and fine art contexts.
→ Available on:
Adobe Stock
ANASAEA
EyeEM
Fine Art America
the Saatchi Art Gallery
Languages
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Italian
Spanish
English
French
German (currently A2 level)
What Informs my Work
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Culture & Meaning
Art · Design · Philosophy · Music · Photography -
Systems & Technology
Artificial Intelligence · Technology · Science -
Craft & Language
Luxury & Craftsmanship · Languages -
Discipline & Performance
Sport (Tennis & Basketball)
01
“Gian combines a sharp eye for detail with a strong understanding of purpose and outcomes. He
delivers design that balances beauty and functionality, supporting clear messaging and strong
experiences. He’s also a generous collaborator who builds trust and elevates team performance.”
“Gian brings clarity and strategic intent to every project. His ability to translate complex brand
challenges into refined, effective design systems makes him a trusted partner, not just a designer.
He balances creative ambition with commercial awareness, consistently raising the quality of both
thinking and execution.”
“When the FT introduced branded content to their range of commercial opportunities in 2016, Gian was
hired to oversee the development of its identity. Since then, he has been responsible for the
ideation of countless campaigns, winning praise from stakeholders and clients alike.
His innate good taste reflects in his particular predisposition towards luxury campaigns."
“Gianfranco is a smart, proactive designer and art director who balances creative ambition with
commercial needs. From commissioning photographers to shaping visual identities and directing
execution, he consistently pushes for stronger results. His work is thoughtful, controlled, and
elevates the quality of every project.”
“Over six months, Gian and I partnered on pitches for luxury clients. He brought strong art
direction across pre-sale materials, from moodboards defining visual identity to mock-ups that
clarified ideas. I valued his calm approach, sharp taste, and genuine understanding of the luxury
sector throughout.”
“Gian is a dedicated and highly collaborative designer and art director. Over several years he
brought clear direction, strong commercial thinking, and consistently smart ideas. He’s reliable,
constructive, and creatively ambitious, delivering polished solutions that feel innovative,
considered, and on-brief.”











