Note that all answers in this interview were provided by Florence, Italy-based illustrator, Francesco Lo Iacono of INVERTED COMMAS. 
  

(Image credit: Illustrator, Francesco Lo Iacono.)

What would you consider to be the aesthetic behind INVERTED COMMAS?
 
I guess it's all about the characters and the colours. I try to create characters that reflect some of our deepest feelings. I talk about hope, desire and disappointment; strong feelings that we try to control or fight. Most of those characters reflect me and my world, but I hope that everyone can relate to them - mostly because I portray seemingly common and primary feelings. Those characters live in my own private world, and they are ready to be shared and lived by anyone else. Colours are a massive part of my work. I've always worked with very bright colours, and I've always loved them. Why? I don't know exactly. Colour has been something I've admired since my childhood. I rarely consider black or grey as colour options. I wanted to create strong contrasts. I tend to reject any loose theories about colours and their meaning. Everything comes naturally, and even though it's a fairly simple concept, it's difficult to explain. 
 
What were you doing before you formed INVERTED COMMAS?
 
I'd say... what I'm still doing! I mainly work as a teacher and as a freelance translator/illustrator; I've got quite a busy life. INVERTED COMMAS is like my secret garden in which I try to share my own world. I try to manage all of my activities to the best standard possible.
 
Asides from illustration, what other interest’s do you have?
 
I love all forms of art. I'm into painting, photography and fashion. I adore going to exhibitions; it's something which helps create a new vision of the world, to discover other points of view, to create, to search. I like music, mostly alternative and rock. My life is fairly busy, and it's therefore extremely difficult to find spare time to relax or to cultivate other interests, but as soon as I'm able to, I like going out for coffee with friends or taking a walk - maybe with my camera, so I can then take some pictures too. I also consider myself a shopaholic!
 
What projects are you currently working on? Do you have anything exciting coming up in the near future?
 
I'm currently working on a handful of new illustrations for another round of INVERTED COMMAS tote bags. Previews of the designs are available via my Tumblr blog. In my mind I have lots of ideas. I'm thinking about some interesting collaborations with other artists and/or fashion designers - alongside other options. The only issue is that it requires a lot of time and effort, and I therefore need to figure out how everything would work before I get ahead of myself. I'm also currently considering making some INVERTED COMMAS t-shirts, since people have requested them numerous times.
 
In your own opinion, what is unique about INVERTED COMMAS?
 
I could say that they are unique because they show my personal point of view. But that may be a little easy. Still, it's true. When I decided that I wanted to make some tote bags, I looked for some cool ideas, messages and trends to work on, but finally I told myself that I had to show my true self, and that's why I decided to share my own world, without thinking "Will this be popular/successful?" I've been painting for so many years, with the majority being large and expensive paintings. This time I wanted the art to reach everybody, so I thought that tote bags could be an admirable compromise. My illustrations are unique, and you can't find anything like them anywhere else.
 
In business terms, what advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
 
I'm not too good when it comes to giving advice, but I do think that in anything you do, you need to give it your all. That's what I do, in my all activities. I give everything I have when teaching, and I give everything I have when I make my own art. That's the only way you can and should work. You need to love what you do, as it's the only way that you're going to be strong and professional.
 
Lastly, would you say that INVERTED COMMAS is successful?
 
I wouldn't say that INVERTED COMMAS is successful just yet, because it's not as popular as I would eventually like it to be. Although, it is successful in my own mind, and in terms of what I personally consider success to be. I'm relatively happy with the compromises I've made, and every time I see someone wearing one of my tote bags, I feel that I couldn't ask for much more. After all, that's how and why INVERTED COMMAS came to be.