Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabio Benedetti.
Hi Fabio, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Cocorino started from a very personal place. When I was a kid growing up in Italy, my brother and I loved collecting and trading stickers. We didn’t have much, but those small pieces of printed art felt incredibly special to us. I still remember the excitement of finding a sticker I loved, trading with friends, and feeling like these tiny objects had a kind of magic.
Years later, after building a career as a visual and product designer, I started Cocorino as a way to reconnect with that feeling. It began in 2012 as a creative outlet, a place where I could design my own characters, graphics, stickers, posters, and products without having to follow a brief or ask for permission.
Over time, it grew into an independent art brand and design studio rooted in bold graphics, playful characters, nostalgia, and self-expression.
Today, Cocorino is still very much connected to that original spark. To me, every sticker tells a story. It might be a small object, but it can carry a memory, a mood, a vibe, a feeling, or a little piece of someone’s personality.
The brand is rooted in the simple things in life: collecting, trading, riding a bike, watching a sunset, spending time with friends, and finding happiness in small moments. Whether it’s a sticker on a laptop, a print, or a design that simply makes someone smile, Cocorino is about turning those little sparks of joy into something visual, personal, and full of heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Cocorino has always been a passion project, so one of the biggest challenges has been finding the time and energy to keep building it consistently while also having a full-time career in design. When you spend your days working creatively, it can be difficult to still have enough mental space at night or on weekends to create for yourself.
Another challenge has been learning that making the artwork, is only one part of building a brand. There is also production, photography, packaging, shipping, social media, marketing, and all the small operational details that people don’t always see from the outside. Turning a creative idea into something real and sustainable takes a lot of patience.
I’ve also learned how important it is to stay true to the brand. In a world where it’s easy to chase trends or produce more just to keep up with the pace of social media, I’ve tried to focus on quality over quantity. I want every Cocorino piece to feel intentional, well-crafted, and connected to the spirit of the brand. That takes more time, but it also makes the work feel more meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Cocorino is an independent design studio and art brand focused on playful graphics, character-driven artwork, stickers, apparel, cards, posters, 3D visuals, and collectible design objects. The work is rooted in bold lines, clean shapes, nostalgia, and the idea that small pieces of art can carry a lot of personality.
Stickers are a big part of Cocorino because I see them as accessible little objects of self-expression. They can live on a laptop, sketchbook, bike, or water bottle and become part of someone’s identity. Over time, Cocorino has also expanded into 3D art and visual storytelling, bringing characters and objects to life with more depth, texture, and personality.
I think Cocorino is known for its playful characters, pop-inspired graphics, bold visual style, and mix of 2D and 3D work. What I’m most proud of is that the brand has stayed true to its spirit. It’s not about chasing trends or making as much as possible; it’s about creating intentional, well-crafted work with personality, joy, and heart.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is often very simple: riding my bike, watching a sunset, spending time with friends, discovering a cool piece of art, hearing a song I love, or making something that feels true to me. I’ve always believed that the best things in life are free, and that idea has become part of Cocorino’s spirit.
Cocorino was inspired by the simple joys my brother and I cherished growing up — collecting stickers, trading with friends, and finding happiness in the little things. Just like the view of a sunset, a bike ride in the park, or time spent with people you love, those moments were free but invaluable.
That same feeling is at the heart of the brand. For me, stickers and small pieces of art are simple, accessible objects, but they can still carry emotion, personality, and meaning. Creativity makes me happy because it lets me take those little sparks of joy and turn them into something visual, playful, and full of heart. I believe that happiness is found in the small moments, those that cost nothing but are priceless in meaning. This is represented in my brand’s motto “The best things in life are free.”
Pricing:
- California Wave Sticker – $5.99
- Wander Sticker – $5.99
- Cocorino Face – $5.99
- Rainbow Heart Coffee – $5.99
- Color Book – $5.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shop.cocorino.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocorino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CocorinoArt/
