Interview Giada Tamborinno

Creative thinker and lead graphic designer behind GT Studio. Inspired by the intersection of nature, creativity, and sustainability.

Creative thinker and lead graphic designer behind GT Studio. Inspired by the intersection of nature, creativity, and sustainability.

What does sustainability mean to you within graphic design?

Sustainability in graphic design goes beyond material swaps or using recycled paper. To me, it’s about responsibility and intention. It means asking: why does this need to exist? And if it must, how can we create it in a way that honours both people and the planet? It’s a mindset shift, from decorative to purposeful. From making things look good, to making them do good too.

How did you get started working with biobased or sustainable materials?

I started out like many designers, focused on aesthetics and visual identity. But over time, I began to feel uneasy about the waste our industry creates, especially in packaging.
I still remember standing in my studio one day, holding a bag full of plastic laminated boxes with spot UV that had gone wrong during print (misaligned colours, tiny errors). They were beautiful, but unusable. And as I put them in the paper recycling bin, I thought: this is not recyclable, and it’s all going straight to landfill. That thought never left me. I started researching alternatives, connecting with suppliers, and slowly reorienting my studio to prioritise sustainability, not just as a feature or as a trend, but as a foundation.

Why do you choose to work with biobased or sustainable materials?

Because our work touches the real world. Every label, box, and bag becomes part of someone’s life, and eventually, their waste stream. Biobased and sustainable materials let me design with integrity. They allow me to contribute to circular systems and offer my clients not just beautiful branding, but a deeper kind of impact. It’s a powerful way of aligning values with visuals.

What role does material choice play in your design practice?

An essential one! For me, materials aren’t the final step, they’re often the starting point. I let the material guide the design just as much as the strategy or concept. The right material can inspire an entire story. It creates an emotional connection that no digital mockup ever could. It makes the invisible, the brand essence, tangible.