We all need an Alberto Sciortino in our careers; I'll tell you about mine.
Alberto and my colleague Assem watching me present the project for rural women of the village of Bir Thlethine located in Tataouine, Tunisia.
After graduating in 2017, I returned to my hometown Tataouine and took up a temporary job at a print shop. It was during this time that a friend connected me with Alberto Sciortino, the coordinator of an international association called ARCS Culture Solidali, which is dedicated to sustainable development projects implemented in Tunisia.
Alberto reached out to me with a clear design brief, requesting a project cost estimation, timeline, and the design process.
When I met Alberto, I realized I had failed to prepare the requested documents. Instead, I had brought a stack of papers and articles, intending to lecture him on design methodology.
I quickly realized that this approach, while informative, was partially useless when designing for the real market (I will be talking about this more).
Alberto, recognizing my eagerness to contribute, asked me to think of a design concept that could help us estimate the project more accurately. And so, I accepted the challenge.
Fresh from my experience in Lebanon, where I had been awarded twice for a design project serving a similar purpose (curious? find it featured on my profile), I felt a surge of confidence and enthusiasm. It was time to think outside the box (as cliché as it may sound).
My proposal was a storytelling through playful design concept, where we would trace every ingredient used in the products, using a main character—an ant—to represent the hardworking rural women behind the scenes.
As I presented my concept, I remember feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves, aware that the outcome could go either way. To my relief and delight, he approved the idea, recognizing its potential.
Working with Alberto has been a transformative experience for me. His openness to unconventional ideas and willingness to take risks has pushed me to explore my creative boundaries.
Together, we embarked on a journey to bring the design concept to life, aligning it with the mission of the overall project.
Alberto Sciortino is not just a coordinator; he is a visionary leader who recognizes the power of design in making a lasting impact. I'm grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with him and be a part of a project that strives to create sustainable development solutions.
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