How are our illustrations created and what do they mean? - Christmas edition.

At each change of season, we usually commission an illustration from an artist to use as the background for our log-in page. This may be someone we have already had the pleasure of communicating with, or a new person who perhaps only knows us through word of mouth.

Right on cue, at the transition from one season to the next, you will see a new work welcoming you as soon as you land on the site, and it is all thanks to the myriad of artists we have the opportunity to meet during trade fairs. We try, within our limits, to attend as many events as possible, so as to broaden our horizons and have the opportunity to chat with anyone who might be as interested in our initiative as we are in their work.

In the past, we have published several interviews with various artists, some of which were conducted and posted on the occasion of a commission. We have been doing this for just over a year, during which time we have also commissioned designs for stickers, short comics, and other similar visual content. We are always grateful to everyone who supports our ideas and makes them a reality, and we would also like to thank all of you, all those people who believe in our mission and support us day after day, both quietly, in your private lives, and publicly.

Since we have never shown you how the creative process behind the aforementioned projects works, we thought it might be interesting to tell you how the two commissions dedicated to the winter season came about. Unlike previous projects, this time we decided to add a “semantic” level to the works, giving them a deeper meaning than simply representing the season in question. In the past, we have focused more on conveying the colors, emotions, and atmosphere of the time of year in question. However, given the importance of the end of the year and the holidays that accompany it, we decided to add a more sophisticated level of meaning for this occasion.

Usually, we jot down a series of ideas, discuss them together, and see which option might be most suitable. The process includes stages of ideation, concept, and, extremely importantly, the creation of mood boards. The latter practice allows us to visualize more clearly the aesthetics, atmosphere, and colors that each idea would like to convey. In this case, however, we were quite satisfied with both proposals, leading us to decide to commission both, one for the illustration and one for a short comic. We carried out the necessary research to identify artists who might be suitable and, above all, interested in collaborating, and we contacted them to discuss the commission.

We would like to take this opportunity to show you this short yonkoma commissioned from Marga Biazzi, an Italian children's illustrator and comic artist. We met her at a fair some time ago and, seeing her often online, we decided to contact her. The comic below shows our three mascots decorating a Christmas tree; their clothes and attitudes recall the Christmas spirits in Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol,” and the conversation they are having seems to suggest a topic that is usually overlooked during the holiday season: global warming. The intention is to draw attention to a very topical but often ignored issue; although the ending directly addresses the viewer, we would like to point out that, sadly, individuals have little power in a global situation. The call to arms is addressed to those with decision-making power, to the institutions and organizations that could actually bring about change and which, unfortunately, decide to turn a blind eye and not care about what is happening.

"Don't you think it's excessively hot at this time of year? In my day, it used to snow during Christmas."

"It's just the warmth of the energy of humanity. The parties, the gifts, the food... I'm sure it's still snowing somewhere."

"It's 15 degrees in the shade. In December. And it will be even worse in the future if we continue like this. So much for a white Christmas..."

"And you? Are you going to stand by and watch while the world burns?"

The second commission, which you can see in the header of this article, was designed by Kim Brandino, known online as Lvnari.

An Italian graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer, Kim is someone we have had the opportunity to meet on several occasions, exchanging opinions and building a relationship of mutual respect. The idea behind the illustration is rather complex, as it features three different panels depicting, once again, our three mascots in different situations and contexts. We were inspired by European folklore, building connections between figures from the popular beliefs of our continent and, as a common thread, hidden references to the theme mentioned above: global warming.

In the first panel on the left, we see a person with their head covered by a veil and a crown of candles, seemingly holding two candles in their hands, the wax dripping onto their skin. The aesthetic appearance and the connection with light are direct references to the Scandinavian tradition of Lucia, the bringer of light: it is inspired by the same story of Saint Lucia, who is celebrated in Northern Italy, but in Northern Europe she is represented by a young girl with a crown of candles, she who illuminates the darkest nights. Unlike her traditional representation, the crown of the figure in the illustration is not colorful and lush, but dry and bare, and the candles are not smooth and clean, but ruined by excessively rapid melting.

In the central panel, we see a girl holding a lantern. Unlike the illustration on the left, the flame inside is concentrated on the right side of the object, trying to escape the wave of water that threatens to extinguish it. The figure's clothing is inspired by a general winter aesthetic, recalling the colors and shapes of the clothes usually worn in folk tales. The reference to the above is subtle, almost imperceptible to the eyes of those who see only what they want to see.

In the last panel, however, there is a figure more heavily laden with references to popular folklore: the clothing, the instruments, and the context in which she finds herself are directly inspired by Slavic rituals linked to the Christmas period, dating back to pre-Christian times. The period in question is called Koliada and is generally identified as the final week of December, coinciding with what is considered the Winter Solstice; the celebrations are held, in fact, to honor the sun and its return. In general, the festivities include bonfires, dancing, and singing in company. Despite the positive connotations of Koliada, in the illustration we have focused more on the meaning of the fire, apparently free within a forest, rather than contained in a bonfire, as it should traditionally be.

Essentially, we would like the two works we are presenting today to serve as a gentle reminder that paying attention to current issues, however impactful they may be, could be an option to consider on any occasion. It is not necessary to devote one's entire existence to promoting a cause, however, everyone has the power to make choices for themselves which, when presented to others, could bring about change, whether small or large. The important thing is to take the step. The important thing is to be informed, to know and understand the causes and consequences of what is happening today: in the environment, in the world, in wars.

We wish a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it, and happy holidays to everyone.

See you in 2026.