Meet Dante Terzigni of Strongsville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante Terzigni.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Northeast Ohio, and from a young age, I was the kid always off in my own world—sketching, building, and turning “junk” into little inventions. People started calling me an artist before I really understood what that meant.
 
After high school, I earned a scholarship to the Columbus College of Art & Design. I leaned more toward fine art than commercial illustration, and this was right as digital tools were starting to take over. So I got lucky—building a strong foundation in traditional media before the commercial illustration field started leaning more digital. That old-school grounding still shows up in my work today.
 
After college, I had plans to move to New York. But just a couple of weeks before the move, I got an unexpected call from a creative studio offering me an illustration job in Cleveland. It felt like the kind of opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I figured I’d stay a year or two and see what’s next… and here I am 20 years later, still creating alongside some incredibly talented people. That job ended up shaping my whole career—and gave me space to grow into the kind of artist I wanted to be.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think most creative careers have their ups and downs. For me, one of the biggest challenges was learning how to balance full-time work with outside freelance projects—managing my time, protecting my energy, and making sure I was still showing up creatively for both.

Figuring out my own style was another big one. After years of adapting to different voices and project needs, I had to ask: what does my work actually look like? The whole “find your style” advice always felt a little vague—like it had to be this lightning bolt moment. But I realized it’s more about noticing the things you naturally come back to—certain shapes, textures, moods—and trusting those instincts. The so-called “happy accidents” are often where the magic lives.

There’s also the internal stuff: second-guessing your ideas, comparing yourself to others, wondering if your work is “good enough.” I’ve learned that those doubts don’t really go away—you just get better at working through them. Having a strong creative community helps a lot, as does showing up consistently, even when it’s hard.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create concept-driven illustrations that aim to be bold, clever, and just a little unexpected. I love visual problem-solving—taking a brief and finding a unique way to express the core idea, especially when it involves metaphor or storytelling.

My technique is often described as digital collage: layered textures, expressive shapes, and unexpected pairings. I’m drawn to work that strikes a balance—gritty but refined, loose in feel but polished in execution. What tends to set my work apart is how I incorporate hand-done elements into the digital process. It’s a nod to my traditional art roots and a way to bring a little warmth and imperfection into the mix. In a world where everything can feel overly polished, I think those little flaws give the work its soul.

Somehow I’ve found a groove in editorial illustration, especially in the higher education space. But I also take on projects in branding, publishing, and packaging—anywhere there’s room to play with visual ideas and build something thoughtful. I’m proud of the range in my portfolio and the fact that I’ve developed a voice that can flex across different kinds of work. Whether it’s a magazine spot, a brand illustration, or a personal piece I’m experimenting with, I try to bring a strong sense of personality and craft to every project.

I’m also grateful to have built a career that still feels like play. That balance between thoughtful design and creative freedom is what keeps me inspired.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve learned I’m more of a calculated risk-taker. I don’t just leap—I like to look first. But I also try to say yes to things that make me a little uncomfortable, because that’s usually where the good stuff happens.

Some of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on started with me thinking, “I have no idea how I’m going to pull this off.” But saying yes anyway—then figuring it out as I go—has pushed me to grow in ways I couldn’t have planned.

In my day-to-day work, I try to take small creative risks all the time. If there’s a weird idea or unexpected angle that still serves the story, I usually go for it. That’s where the personality lives. That’s the stuff that sticks.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danteterzigni.com
• Instagram: @dterzigni
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/danteterzigni
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dante-terzigni-574355135/