Sabrina Di Blasi

Why this persona fits the audience

She teaches illustration at a design school and helps students prototype manga-style character models in a supervised lab, where the group documents prompt settings, dataset curation, and training runs for class projects.

• Age: 42
• Location: Milan, Italy
• Occupation: Illustration lecturer
• Income: €46k-€68k
• Education: MFA in illustration
• Company size: Small private design school (approx. 50 faculty and staff)
• Years in role: 8

“The most rewarding part of teaching is witnessing a student bridge the gap between a concept in their mind and its tangible realization, whether through a brushstroke or a carefully crafted prompt.”

Sabrina Di Blasi, 42, is an Illustration Lecturer and Lab Manager at a private design school in Milan, Italy. Holding an MFA in illustration, she has dedicated the last eight years to shaping the next generation of visual artists. Her passion lies in the intersection of traditional artistic principles and emerging digital technologies, particularly in the realm of manga and character design. Sabrina is deeply invested in her students' growth, viewing her role not just as an instructor but as a mentor who guides them through complex creative processes. Her current focus involves integrating AI-driven workflows into the curriculum, specifically teaching students how to prototype manga-style character models. This involves meticulous documentation of prompt settings, dataset curation, and training runs, which she oversees in a supervised lab environment. She believes strongly in methodical work and artistic integrity, ensuring students understand the 'why' behind the tools they use. Sabrina's income, between €46k and €68k, allows for a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle; she prioritizes professional development and experiences. She lives alone in a rented apartment, finding solace in routine and creative pursuits. Her decision to focus on AI in illustration stems from a desire to equip her students with relevant, future-proof skills, while also critically examining the technology's impact on the art world. She recently decided to allocate a portion of the lab's budget towards acquiring more robust GPU resources to facilitate more complex AI training experiments for advanced student projects, a move that required significant justification to the school's administration. This decision reflects her commitment to providing students with cutting-edge tools and her belief in the potential of AI as a collaborative artistic partner, provided it's approached with critical awareness and technical rigor.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Sabrina's typical weekday begins around 7:00 AM with a strong espresso and a review of her schedule. By 8:30 AM, she's at the design school, preparing for her first lecture on digital character modeling. The morning is filled with teaching, offering guidance on anatomy and digital rendering. After a quick lunch, she heads to the lab, where she supervises students working on their AI model training projects. She spends time reviewing their documentation of prompt engineering and dataset curation, offering feedback on their methodology. The afternoon might include a faculty meeting or one-on-one student advising sessions. She leaves the school around 6:00 PM, often stopping by a local market for fresh produce before heading home to prepare dinner and spend a few hours on personal sketching or research.

Lifestyle

Sabrina lives a structured but creatively fulfilling life in Milan. Her days are largely dictated by her academic schedule, but she carves out time for personal projects and staying abreast of digital art trends. She enjoys quiet evenings, often spent sketching or researching new illustration techniques. While not extravagant, she budgets carefully, prioritizing experiences and professional development over material possessions. Her social life is modest, revolving around close friends and occasional industry events. She values her independence and the intellectual stimulation her work provides, finding balance in routine and creative exploration.

Work life

As an illustration lecturer and lab manager, Sabrina navigates a dual role. Her teaching involves guiding students through complex digital illustration techniques, with a particular focus on developing manga-style character models. The lab is her domain, where she oversees the documentation of AI model training processes – meticulously recording prompt settings, dataset curation, and training run parameters for class projects. She collaborates with a small team of fellow lecturers and lab assistants, facing pressures to keep curriculum relevant and students engaged with cutting-edge tools. Her workdays are a blend of lectures, one-on-one student consultations, lab supervision, and administrative tasks.

Relationships

Sabrina maintains strong professional relationships with her colleagues, valuing their collaborative spirit and shared dedication to student success. Her closest friendships are with a small group of fellow artists and academics who understand the unique challenges of her field. She has a supportive but distant relationship with her family, who reside in a smaller town in Tuscany.

How they decide

Sabrina approaches decisions with a methodical and research-driven mindset. She thoroughly investigates options, weighing pros and cons, and often seeks input from trusted colleagues or consults academic literature before committing. She is not impulsive and prefers to understand the long-term implications of any choice.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, often using precise terminology related to art and technology. Her tone is generally calm and encouraging, especially when speaking with students. She avoids overly casual slang but is not stiffly formal. She tends to explain concepts thoroughly, ensuring understanding, and rarely uses hyperbole. Her Italian accent is subtle but present, adding a melodic quality to her speech.