Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Damian Di Lisio. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Damian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far was a set of illustrations for a nonprofit called Apple Playschools. I’ve been eager to work on designs that create a positive impact, so I joined Catchafire, a platform connecting artists with nonprofits in need of creative support. When I came across this project, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect in terms of scope, but I was drawn to the opportunity to take on something truly challenging and worthwhile. The project required me to create four architectural illustrations—three showing the interiors of classrooms and one depicting an outdoor area. Each illustration was designed to help faculty, students, and supporters visualize what these spaces would look like when fully built. Working on this project was both inspiring and fulfilling, as it allowed me to combine my creative skills with a mission-driven cause, making a difference in a way I’ve been wanting to for some time!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Damian Di Lisio, and I am a graphic designer. Art has always been a big part of my life; as a kid, I was constantly doodling in class, drawing portraits for friends, and spending much of my free time creating art. I never imagined it as a career path until I took my first design class in my senior year of high school. That’s when I truly fell in love with design, realizing it allowed me to combine my love of art with something functional.

I pursued this path at Cypress Community College, starting as a fine arts major. Later, I transferred to California State University, Fullerton, where I completed my BFA in Graphic Design. Originally from California, I now live in Texas, where I work full-time as a designer and take on freelance projects as well.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to work on a range of projects, including emails, landing pages, print materials, entertainment design, logo design, illustration, motion design, and branding. I love exploring different areas and taking on new creative challenges.

What I’m most proud of is work that aligns with my values—whether it’s art created for a meaningful cause, pieces made for friends and family, or designs that fuel my own creativity. I bring a lot of passion to every project, and I’m always eager to learn and grow by taking on new experiences.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One book I read in college that truly changed my life is The Last Lecture by Jeffrey Zaslow and Randy Pausch. This book tells the real-life story of Randy Pausch and what led him to give his last lecture after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Randy’s story is incredibly inspiring, and he’s shared so many philosophies that I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Here are just a few of his amazing quotes:

‘We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.’

‘Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.’

‘Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.’

‘Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore?’

‘People are more important than things.’

Every time I talk about this book, I am moved to tears. It has inspired many of my artworks and will continue to influence me for the rest of my life.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is having the ability to express myself in ways that many people can’t. I feel that in the art community, this ability is sometimes seen as a burden—like the classic ‘depressed artist’ stereotype—but I believe this couldn’t be further from the truth. I read a book called Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, where she explains that creativity just wants to be seen and noticed, almost like a little kid. Telling this kid they’re a burden makes them want to hide away, often leading to burnout and creative blocks. But when you embrace that kid and listen to them, magic happens. I feel that if other artists adopted this mindset, they’d also see just how rewarding this gift truly is. We create meaningful art from nothing but our minds—that’s incredible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://damiandilisio.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damian_dilisio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-ad/