My name is Elettra Deganello, and I am an illustrator and designer based in Prato, Italy.
I grew up in northern Italy and graduated magna cum laude in Industrial Design in 2014 and Design in 2017 (Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Architettura). The two graduation theses I discussed, which focused on the topics of book design, sustainability, and aesthetics, allowed me to achieve the XIV Mediarc – International Festival of Architecture in Video (Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Architettura), the honourable mention of the graduation prize ‘Alberto Bardazzi’ (PIN – Polo Universitario ‘Città di Prato’), and the dignity for publication.
I grew up in northern Italy and graduated magna cum laude in Industrial Design in 2014 and Design in 2017 (Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Architettura). The two graduation theses I discussed, which focused on the topics of book design, sustainability, and aesthetics, allowed me to achieve the XIV Mediarc – International Festival of Architecture in Video (Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Architettura), the honourable mention of the graduation prize ‘Alberto Bardazzi’ (PIN – Polo Universitario ‘Città di Prato’), and the dignity for publication.
Since 2016, I have collaborated with businesses across diverse sectors, offering comprehensive design and communication services. Watercube (Vicenza, Italy), Officina dei Saponi (Prato, Italy), Passione Playing Cards LLC (California, USA), Meadowlark Decks (Nebraska, USA), The Ice House (Portsteward, United Kingdom), Rare Playing Cards (Ontario, Canada), Casa Pappagallo (Grosseto, Italy), Studio Ceri (Prato, Italy), Lilli La Jolla (California, USA), Moranduzzo (Firenze, Italy), Beezarre Games (Rome, Italy), Taschen (Cologne, Germany), and The New Orleans Playing Card Co. (Louisiana, USA) are some of the names I have worked with.
Regarding the field of architecture, in particular, over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work on visualizations and narrations destined for Marco Polo International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Expo Dubai 2020, and Villa Les Cèdres, to mention some.
Regarding the field of architecture, in particular, over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work on visualizations and narrations destined for Marco Polo International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Expo Dubai 2020, and Villa Les Cèdres, to mention some.
Collaborating with Passione Playing Cards LLC on the project Pinocchio Playing Cards, realized under the auspices of the Fondazione Nazionale Carlo Collodi, I have also started getting increasingly involved in the world of custom playing cards. In 2018, the project was awarded the Silver A’ Design Award in the category ‘Toy, Games, and Hobby Products’, the honourable mention of United Cardists as ‘Best Aces’, and from the same organization, the third place as ‘Best Rookie Deck’.
In 2020, Pinocchio was followed by Florentia Playing Cards, another set of luxury custom playing cards designed and produced in collaboration with Passione Playing Cards LLC.
Bold Playing Cards, my first solo playing card project, was successfully launched on Kickstarter in August 2020. In November of the same year, Blue Jay Dentistry Playing Cards was released as the second instalment of the Meadowlark Playing Cards series. In February 2022, on the occasion of the ‘Deck of the Year’ (DOTY) Awards held by Portfolio 52, Bold Playing Cards was elected ‘Best Graphic Deck’ 2021. Additionally, 2022 marked the year of the Genoese Tarot, designed in collaboration with Jean Maillard. In 2023, the Rx Almanac playing card series designed for Meadowlark Playing Cards was awarded first prize as ‘Best Jokers’, second prize as ‘Best Overall Deck’ and ‘Best Tuck Box’, and third prize as ‘Best Back Design’ and ‘Best Aces’ at the annual DOTY’s.
In 2020, Pinocchio was followed by Florentia Playing Cards, another set of luxury custom playing cards designed and produced in collaboration with Passione Playing Cards LLC.
Bold Playing Cards, my first solo playing card project, was successfully launched on Kickstarter in August 2020. In November of the same year, Blue Jay Dentistry Playing Cards was released as the second instalment of the Meadowlark Playing Cards series. In February 2022, on the occasion of the ‘Deck of the Year’ (DOTY) Awards held by Portfolio 52, Bold Playing Cards was elected ‘Best Graphic Deck’ 2021. Additionally, 2022 marked the year of the Genoese Tarot, designed in collaboration with Jean Maillard. In 2023, the Rx Almanac playing card series designed for Meadowlark Playing Cards was awarded first prize as ‘Best Jokers’, second prize as ‘Best Overall Deck’ and ‘Best Tuck Box’, and third prize as ‘Best Back Design’ and ‘Best Aces’ at the annual DOTY’s.
In September 2021 and 2024, my work led to a nomination as Artist of the Year for the Diamond Awards, bestowed annually by 52 Plus Joker – the largest playing card collectors’ association in the world – and recognizing the top playing card designers in the industry based on their output that year. I was also delighted to design the 52 Plus Joker 2024 Club Deck, unveiled in October 2024 during the annual convention held in Niagara Falls, NY.
Since the academic year 2020/2021, I have been teaching classes on playing card and book design at the International School of Comics in Florence. In July 2023, I had the pleasure and honour of becoming editor of The Playing-Card, the quarterly journal of the International Playing-Card Society.
When I am not working on new designs or illustrations, you can usually find me playing the cello, reading a book, swimming, visiting an art exhibition (any art exhibition!), or having a drink with friends.