Piera Brunetta was born in Treviso, Italy. Self-taught, she took up graphic design at a relatively early age. After working for several small companies, she transferred in 1993 to Fabrica (United Colors of Benetton), completing fashion and product catalogs for Benetton, Sisley, 012, Rollerblade, Nordica and others. There she met Massimo Vignelli and moved to New York in 1998 to join Vignelli Associates, with whom she continues to work in both New York and Italy.