Giovanni Ottonello was awarded his degree in Architecture at Genoa and after various experiences in the field of museum and scenographic exhibits, he approached the world of fashion through the study of fabric in its variety of expressions and designs. He helped to set up, order, and launch an event at the Diocesan Museum in Genoa. He has worked with the National Gallery of Palazzo Spinola and Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, the set designer and director Pierluigi Pizzi and the Piccolo Teatro in Milan with Luca Ronconi. Consultant for Companies, not only fashionable, for projects, visual merchandising, or updates on the contemporary as Salvatore Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Procter & Gamble, Rubelli, Conbipel, Carrefour, Artsana, Ethos, and many others. Food designer for two years at Design Week in Milan, working on a new approach to eat and a new shape of food.

His current work involves lectureships and participation in seminars or conferences ranging from graphics to fashion, from design to photography and contemporary art in various institutes ad events like IXEL Moda (Cartagena), Benext (Tbilisi), IYDC (Kiev), The Icon Special Project (Jeddah), European Fashion and Luxury Law (Milan), Portugal Home Week (Porto).

In 2018 and 2019 he is ambassador of culture in Tehran for World Design Day.

Now is Art Director for IED – Istituto Europeo di Design.