The Psyop Circuit is our series about the real magic at Psyop: its people. In this edition, we chat with director/designer Georgia Tribuiani.

From set design to animation, Italian born Georgia Tribuiani runs the creative gamut. Her experiences have allowed her to work both on set and behind the scenes, from concept to completion. Her talents have earned her multiple accolades and her dedication has lead her around the world to her current post as Creative Director in the Psyop LA office.

How did you get started?

I’m a self taught graphic designer. I studied Architecture at Liceo Artistico in Italy and continued on to graduate from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Urbino with degrees in Art History and Set Design. So I started my career working as set designer for theaters and exhibitions.

I was always very interested in video as well — I had been studying graphic design and typography on my own, reading publications and attending international festivals to improve my skills and work quality. I learned quickly how to animate my designs and illustrations and so I transitioned into the VFX world. I began matte painting for films and worked as a motion designer on the brand identities of various TV Channels.

What made you come to the States?

I was a Senior Designer when I left Rome to move to Los Angeles. I was hired as Art Director by Prologue FIlms and had the opportunity to work on graphic packages for iconic awards shows like the Academy Awards, MTV Movie Awards and the VMAs among others. I was also able to work on movie title sequences for feature films while I was there. Getting to work on “Robin Hood” was really cool. I really enjoyed the process and I also felt very close to that style. Seeing your work on a big screen is very rewarding.

I thought I would only stay in the States just one year, but more opportunities to work on new projects came in and I decided to stay, despite the distance from my family and friends. But LA has been so great, because I have had so many chances to work with a large group of international creatives!

Georgia and Thibault working on the Toyota spot in Lisbon

And you’ve been with Psyop for about three years now. What has that been like?

I’m a Director/Designer, so most of the time I get to design for the projects that I direct, too. I really like being able to have that opportunity. We get to really focus on the storytelling, which is something that I appreciate and look forward to.

I think the best part of 2012 Psyop-wise was last March when I co-directed with Thibault Debaveye on the Toyota Prius spot. After we delivered, we were homaged with a custom made pillow from our rep at Smuggler that has our portrait on it. I love that pillow!

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

Cooking for friends. But most of my free time is spent doing side projects! I always overwhelm myself with multiple side projects.

In 2011, some of my work was selected for the Biennale of Venice 2011 and featured alongside other works of former students from Italian Fine Arts schools. My college decided to dedicate a personal exhibition for each student the following year. The curator suggested that we do a retrospective, as he wanted to show how wide-ranging my career path was. The commissioner asked me to personally design the catalog as well as the identity for the exhibition. I collaborated with a friend, Ana Gomez Bernaus, and began working on the lettering for the titles and fonts.

The catalog that we designed for the exhibition became a piece of art in itself. So we decided to send the catalog to the Type Directors Award and the Art Directors Award, and we are currently waiting to know if our work was selected.

I also put together a yearbook at the end of the year where I collect all the presentations that I directed and some styleframes that I designed for other directors.

What advice can you give to someone trying to follow in your footsteps?

When I chose my education and then started working, I didn’t follow a linear path. I always followed my instincts and my dreams. I think if you are passionate about something, you can find success. There’s no recipe. You have to make you own.