Following a one year program of Graphic Design at the ESAA (Superior School of Applied Arts) in Vevey, Switzerland, Giovanni Riva went on to study at ERACOM (Ecole Romande arts and communication) in Lausanne.
Graduating with honours in 1992, he has worked as an artistic and creative director for various advertising agencies over the last 25 years. During this time, he has acted as the artistic director for IDPURE magazine for a 4 year period. He is currently running his own design studio while at the same time maintaining a keen interest in the fine arts, which are reflected in his own works.