Created by Riccardo Capuzzo, Aquatic Creatures is a world full of magical illustrations and piano compositions, that seeks to draw attention to a specific place that we must know and safeguard. Fantasy and music are Riccardo's perfect ingredients for creating an alternative world where beauty can be contemplated in its maximum splendor. ​​

Aquatic creatures creates an interactive experience between objects, space, food and such as acryglass artworks, plates, wallpapers, and notebooks.

Hi Riccardo, tell us a little about your early career and background.

I have studied visual design in Milan at Scuola Politecnica di Design SPD, then moved to Chicago and Istanbul working as visual designer. After that I came back to Milan launching the platform Design42Day collaborating with many design weeks around the world. Afterwards I have started working for a leading german company of customized wall decor.

How did Aquatic Creatures came to be?

Reading a book. Thus spoke Zarathustra, It makes me desire to imagine a new world, following my sense of aesthetic and values and translating them into a design brand.

Are the stories among all designs connected?

The connection is to create imaginary marine creatures that can capture the attention to then lead the attention to the protection of the Sea.

What is the process you use to create each of the illustrations and how long does it take to make one design?

I imagine a creature, then I sketch on any paper I have there in that moment. Then I try to think which kind of personality might have it, that influences the drawing composition. After that I describe the idea showing the sketches or some photoshop photomontage I did to one of the illustrators that collaborate with us. She/he makes the second sketch, bit more details, we discuss, make the changes and step by step we get to the final, usually we need around 7 or 8 steps.

The montgolfier fish series now it's very fast cause we did many and the illustrators knows how should be made so maybe 5 days. When it comes to a new one, it could be 2 weeks, sometimes I think I got a good idea but then when executed I understand it is not. Sometimes it also happens the opposite, but honestly, it happens very rarely.

What is the message you wish viewers will capture from your designs?

There is a main message which is the protection of the Sea and secondary messages: promote the listening of good music and remark the importance of culture. Two subjects that nowadays need to make an extra effort to discover as the mainstream is full of nothingness.

Who has been your most inspiring influence?

What I do in my job comes from hard work and curiosity, two things I ve been educated from my parents, so I think they are the real roots of my inspiration.

Music is a key element in your work; how does the visual and auditory marry in your designs?

 It will be releasing new albums on Spotify, producing videos, collaborating with animators.
There is a Shopify album written by my Maestro of pianoforte Christan Salerno 

Your products are made from all over the world; how is this process, and what do you enjoy the most.

The products are mostly made in Italy, Germany and Latvia. Would be easier to produce everything in one Country but what I can find in Italy, can t` be found in Germany or Latvia and viceversa so I just go for the best final results without considering much the Country. During the process of a new product, I usually have a very precise idea in mind but I am full of doubts when I see the first tries and I am never fully satisfied, till the final release that brings me lot of joy. I would say the process is fun but it is 95% frustration and 5% joy, but that 5% repay all the hard work, this is what I enjoy the most when I recognize the final version and I think: that` s it!

What do you hope users experience with your designs?

I want them to smile when they open the box and see the product, if they do, I am happy.

What new designs are you working on?

The Searcus series will be more developed, plus next year we will focus on wallpapers and expand the tableware.

What is the future of Aquatic Creatures? 

 Nowadays it is hard to predict what will happen next week but I can dream with open eyes and tell you what I see.
Collaborations with hotels and restaurants. A short movie. Sensorial events with music and projectors.

Notebook

By Aquatic Creatures

Retail $40.00

Wallpaper Turtles

By Aquatic Creatures

Retail $92.00

Acrylglass Print Pinocchio

By Aquatic Creatures

Retail $463.00

Wallpaper Montgolfier Fishes

By Aquatic Creatures

Retail $92.00