We are pleased to present an exclusive interview with Romain Pisa, an independent graphic artist whose work is increasingly recognized in the industry. Originally from Perpignan, he has made his mark by blending traditional techniques of drawing and painting with digital tools, resulting in works that have a unique visual signature, while being deeply rooted in contemporary culture.
His diverse portfolio includes everything from designing movie posters to creating album covers for artists. Each of his works tells a story, capturing the essence of its subject while offering a visual interpretation that is distinctly his own. Bright colors, bold patterns and meticulous attention to detail are signatures of her style, which is both modern and nostalgic.
In the following interview, Romain Pisa shares with us not only the details of his creative process, but also the challenges of working as a freelancer. He talks about his sources of inspiration, which range from cinema to music, and how he collaborates with his clients to turn their ideas into visual reality. He also offers thoughts on the future of his art and advice for young artists who wish to follow a similar path. Take a seat and enjoy this journey into the world of a contemporary artist who is passionate and dedicated to his profession.
How did you discover your passion for graphics and visual creation?
I think I discovered my passion for graphics and visual creation around 6th/5th grade, in middle school. I was already doing drawing and graffiti before but it was around that age that I really started to turn to digital creation (by getting into Photoshop in particular). At the time, it was mainly for the YouTube world and the Internet in general, for friends and other content creators. It obviously revolved around communities and video game circles. I wasn't really a big gamer but I loved being part of it all in a different way. Visual and creative as a result, more specific, more in the shadows. That’s definitely the starting point of my passion for all of this, the very first step.
What are your main sources of inspiration for your graphic design projects?
Art in all that it can encompass. All kinds of art, on all types of mediums. The visual and even the sound. The emotions and feelings that it can convey. I just draw inspiration from what satisfies me visually and deep down. And for that, perhaps cinema in its entirety remains my greatest source of inspiration. Whether they are films, directors' visions, atmospheres, ambiances, posters etc. Everything about this area inspires me. It is undoubtedly the most complete art because it encompasses all others to provide a global work that maximizes the chances of touching someone, making them feel something while offering them a personal vision given by its author. So what I try to do modestly at my own level haha.
What has been your favorite project so far, and why?
It's very difficult to answer that, in fact I don't think I really have one. I think what I'm most happy with is my creative and overall "career" project. The journey, the fact of being able to do what I love and to offer something that pleases me and which can, likewise, please others. It is very important for me. The life project and “passionate profession” which ultimately encompasses all other small projects, whether personal or professional.
How do you see the evolution of your work and your career in the coming years? Do you have specific goals you want to achieve?
I don't really have a vision on all that, I just like to let myself be carried away by my desires in the moment without making too many plans on the comet. When I take a step back, I tell myself that it's already crazy to be able to make a living from my passion since I was 20, as a freelancer, with so much freedom. Otherwise, I have the impression of always being in a quest for personal fulfillment artistically and stylistically, to find myself fully on these points. It's a never-ending journey. I have this need to always push further and learn. Find the beautiful and interesting thing that stands out from the crowd while offering something that pleases me above all. Afterwards, obviously, I have a lot of goals that would make the child I was dream of. Perhaps the one that would excite me the most would be to create an official poster for a major film. Creating the titling/typographic logo for a film too could be crazy. A sort of achievement for me. Connect my passion for cinema with my work and my creations. These are undoubtedly my two biggest goals!
What tools and software do you use most often for your projects?
The software I use the most remains Photoshop. For pure visual creation, texture work and overall mixing of techniques. I also often use Procreate for typography (on iPad) as well as Illustrator to round things out a bit. Otherwise, apart from software and digital, I also work a lot on paper, by hand, in a more traditional way.What I really like is being able to mix different mediums and techniques. Digital and traditional. I think there is a certain warmth and humanity that comes from manual and traditional work. It gives a soul to the creations. So it's something that I like to introduce into my work, even if it always ends up going digital at some point. Basically, my main working tools remain my hands and Photoshop first and foremost.
You mentioned that cinema is your greatest source of inspiration. Can you give us specific examples of films or directors that have influenced your work?
Any style of film can inspire me. I just have to feel an emotion, a vision, a touch, quite simply a proposition. For this, I think that the directors who inspired me the most remain Wes Anderson, David Fincher, John Carpenter and Guillermo del Toro. It's hard to name some and not be exhaustive because there are a lot of them, but these ones came straight to my mind, it's certainly not for nothing haha. In any case, they were the ones who first awakened me to certain things. “Genre” level I like a lot of things, but I must admit to being more receptive to noir films, thrillers but also and above all to fantasy in all that it can encompass, horror, science fiction etc…
You expressed the desire to create an official poster for a major film. If you could choose any movie, past or future, which one would you like to create a poster for?
Great question, I'd never thought of that before. I think it would be Carpenter's "The Thing." I already made an alternative poster because the desire was too strong. This is perhaps THE film that would have made me the most excited to create a poster around it. In everything it represents, this total vision side, this handmade side, without compromise and representative of an entire universe that I adore.
What challenges do you encounter when combining traditional and digital techniques in your work?
Honestly, there aren't really any "challenges" in this context, it's more questions to understand what would be the most appropriate means to link the two techniques. What is the ideal way to reflect what I have in mind? What markers, what brushes, what papers, what colors, what textures, etc…
You worked a lot with the artist Realo, how was the connection made?
The connection happened super easily, and above all naturally. These are the kind of connections that are made without any interests behind it, out of love and appreciation of work and people above all. He came across my creations at the beginning of 2021 I think and sent me a message directly afterwards to tell me that he really liked my universe. Quite quickly we talked about lots of things and we realized that we had the same delusions as well as the same artistic and work ambitions. We quickly wanted to work together, obviously. The first job was the cover of his EP: “EX3” (produced with Yev. and Lucas Masini). Afterwards we continued on a lot of things, always with the same pleasure of working together on all of that. It’s botch fashion.
Can you explain to us your creative process for producing a cover?
The process is very simple and methodical. When there are orders, for any type of work, not necessarily cover work, I first ask for stylistic references as well as all the details of ideas and desires that people may have for the creation of their final rendering. . The representation, the graphic style etc… Tracks, wishes. From the moment I have as many details as possible, I start creating the order, but the phase of research and setting up a creative framework is very important for me, it is necessary to pose the right bases for good guidance. Afterwards, this can vary depending on the client and some people prefer to give me as much freedom as possible to follow me 100% in my choices. For pure creation, I work a lot in creative ping pong. That is to say, I send versions and advances and we provide feedback together so that we can arrive at a result that meets the demand and desires. A sort of hand-in-hand progress in stages with the client. Once again, this can vary a lot in how it works, but I would say that the majority of orders work like this.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned while working as a freelancer?
I don't know if it's the most surprising thing but maybe it's something I didn't expect to experience so much: the fact of being connected to your job all the time, in all its aspects. In my case at least, it's in my head all the time, as if you never disconnected. It drains almost all my energy and it also affects my personal life a lot, so it never leaves me. I'm 24 hours thinking about this haha. It's probably because it's my passion but the fact remains that I need to work on this point. Manage to detach myself from it a little more because it's not healthy. I've been freelancing for almost 3 years now, so obviously I don't yet know all the aspects of this job in real terms, I imagine, and the experience will surely make me change my mind later, in any case it This is the answer that comes to me today.
If you could collaborate with anyone, in any field, who would you choose and why?
In truth there are quite a few people with whom I would potentially have fun but I will make a much simpler choice by answering: Mathieu Boudot (@mathieubdt). Because he's a friend and we've been wanting to collaborate for 4 years but we still haven't found the time hahaha. He is too strong. We both started at the bottom almost at the same time and I'm so happy to see him at the level he is at right now. It's more than deserved and the worst part is that it's so far from over. He's going to go so high. I had to put one up for him. A brother in arms.
What is your vision for the future and your art?
Very very hard question, I admit I never ask myself because it doesn't really interest me. I just want to live my job / my passion without projecting myself too much onto the reality of the job, knowing that in addition I am not really in THE normality of the latter given my style and my model (on not bad aspects). I hope it turns out well anyway.
Finally, what advice would you give to a young artist who admires your work and would like to follow a similar path?
It's stupid to say but: just take pleasure in what we do, when we create. Not doing it for others or by graphic trends. Just have fun, in the purest sense. I always thought that was a very vague phrase, but when I really understood it, it was my real beginning. When we listen to ourselves and take pleasure in our creations, a visual sincerity emerges, another meaning, the best of ourselves. People feel it I think and it's the best way to never get bored! And also, don't count your hours at the start, there's everything to prove!
His authentic, personal view of art and dedication to remaining true to his unique style is an inspiration to anyone who aspires to work in the creative field. Through the challenges and surprises of his freelance life, he continues to explore and push the boundaries of his art, while remaining deeply connected to his own emotions and personal experience. The advice he offers to young artists – to find joy in creation and to remain authentic in their artistic expression – is a valuable lesson for all of us, whatever our creative fields. We can’t wait to see where his talent and passion take him next.
Find his work here:
Behance: https://www.behance.net/romainpisa
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romainpisa/?hl=fr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/romainpisa
Interview by Teo Comyn (@teocomyn)
