about me

I am an Independent Creative Director and Brand Strategist, specialized in creation and management of brand identities.
With over 15 years of experience, my work ranges from niche branding projects, to global campaings for industry leaders, including: Moleskine, San Pellegrino, Amazon, Maserati, Missoni, and more.

 

My strengths lie in strategic thinking and multidisciplinary experience.

Significant track record in directing and overseeing the entire project lifecycle, from the concept generation, to the execution of visual assets.

 

I got a Master’s Degree in Communication Design at Politecnico di Milano in 2007, and in 2009 I began my career as an independent.

In 2012, I enhanced my expertise with Post Master’s degree courses at School of Visual Arts, in New York.

 “Business Strategy: Defining the Brand” run by David Weisman, from Interbrand, and “Make It Happen: Project Management” run by Gabriela Mirensky, from The One Club.

 

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Read more on my Linkedin →
I'M A BRAND STRATEGIST
WORKING AS A TEAM LEADER

I oversee and direct the entire project, from the kickoff meeting to the execution of deliverables, leading a multidisciplinary team with diverse roles and responsibilities.

 

I consistently introduce fresh ideas to stay aligned with current and emerging trends while ensuring that the creative strategy and visual executions stay true to the brand.

I'M A CREATIVE DIRECTOR
WORKING AS A CREATIVE TYPE

I develop creative ideas and visual concepts, selecting the most suitable media and style to achieve project goals. With a comprehensive perspective on communication projects, I tackle challenges with strong problem-solving skills to deliver impactful and meaningful campaigns.

 

Keeping the big picture in mind, I oversee the overall visual direction across key touch-points, including publications, advertising campaigns, and branding strategies.

I'M A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
WORKING AS A MENTOR

Since 2012, I work as University Professor. I am the Referring Professor of ‘Publishing Design’, mandatory course I lead in english, at IED - Istituto Europeo di Design (Milano, IT). I collaborate with Domus Academy (Milano, IT) as Lecturer and Workshop Project Leader. In my career, I also had the opportunity to run workshops abroad: at Diamman–Design Institute (Amman, JO); IADE Faculdade de Design, Tecnologia e Comunicação (Lisbon, PT).

 

My objective as mentor is to inspire, encourage, and guiding designers into elevating their inner talents.

what I do

I provide services including concept development, corporate identity, branding, graphic design, magazine and editorial design.

I offer as well creative consultancy services to assist my clients with brand and business development.

My method is made by different project phases: I start with strategic research and analysis, proceed with the creative phase and then I bring together the two previous stages  in designing and making the project happen.

clients

I run across printed and digital media, working globally from my Milan studio.

My work ranges from niche projects developed for small businesses, to large-scale branding projects for industry leaders.

 

 

Selected brands and companies I collaborated with:

 

FEATURED

For any requests about my story or projects to be featured in publications or interviews, just send an email to info@ceciliamelli.com

I will be happy to get involved providing you any content you may need.

 

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The Design Kids
“We chat with Art Director, Brand Strategy Consultant & University professor Cecilia Melli about her fave books, podcasts & blogs”

 

Vogue Italia

Concept Store: Progetto Nomade + ManInTown

Featuring my collaboration with Man in Town, as Art Director and Brand Strategy in charge of Progetto Nomade visual identity.

 

IADE – Creative University of Lisboa
“Identity Design”, em parceria com a Domus Academy e a empresa italiana OBOYI”

 

The meaning of Isolation in times of Coronavirus

by Unwind Studio, on Medium

Featuring my own creativity recipe: “We must use creativity’s huge potential”.

 

‘The Freelance Design Handbook. Don’t start work without it‘

by Cathy Fishel, published by RotoVision Publisher

Featuring a show case of my portfolio and an interview the autohor had with me in Los Angeles, CA.

 

WORKSHOPS I RUN

I’ve been lucky enough to lead workshops and participating to think-tanks, mentoring creatives coming from all over.

I’m always open to new collaborations and teaching experiences about branding, as Brand Design and Brand Strategy.

I share methods, tools, upcoming trends and inspiring best practices that are relevant for the current scenario.

 

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‘IED x Women. Awarness against economic violence’
Workshop Leader at IED–Istituto Europeo di Design
Course: IED Special Project
Client: SVS Donna aiuta Donna Onlus
Duration: 80 hours, 1 month workshop
Language: italian

 

‘IED x S.Pellegrino’s 120th Anniversary’
Workshop Leader at IED–Istituto Europeo di Design, Milano
Course: IED Special Project
Client: San Pellegrino
Duration: 80 hours, 1 month workshop
Language: italian

 

‘Branding for the fashion industry’
Lecturer at Domus Academy, Milano
Course: Master in Fashion Design
Client: Melissa
Duration: 2 day lectures
Language: english

 

‘Domus x Oboy’
Workshop Leader at IADE Universidade Europeia de Lisboa (Portugal)
Course: Master in Visual Brand Design
Client: Oboy
Duration: 80 hours, 1 month workshop
Language: english

 

‘Branding today: a story of authenticity’
Workshop Leader at DIAMMAN Design Institute of Amman (Jordan)
Duration: 16 hours, 2 day workshop
Language: english

 

‘Wired. Re-positioning the new bookazine’
Workshop Leader at Domus Academy, Milano
Course: Master in Visual Brand Design
Client: Condé Nast
Duration: 80 hours, 1 month workshop
Language: english

 

‘Design in the Middle – Beyond physical and mental’
Think-thank workshop, generating alternative near-future scripts and design proposals to address challenges relevant to the Middle East.
Hosted by MAXXI Museum, curated by The School of Redesign
Duration: 35 hours, 5 day workshop

 

‘P&G. Thank you Mom, global campaign’
Workshop Leader Assistant Domus Academy, Milano
Course: Master in Business Design
Client: Procter & Gamble
Duration: 80 hours, 1 month workshop
Language: english