Interview: Samantha Castro of Helloo SamSam Designs

Samantha Castro (she/her) is a 25-year-old Filipino-Canadian graphic designer based in Toronto, Ontario. She majored in Graphic Design and graduated from OCAD University in 2017. In 2019, she founded her own design studio called Helloo SamSam Designs. Helloo SamSam Designs is a design studio that creates whimsical, colourful and vibrant brand identities, and strives to make your dreams come true! Samantha specializes in designing custom branding identities, social media templates and illustration design. She loves working with female-owned businesses and lifestyle bloggers to transform their brand identity. Sam's passion for her work stems from her mother who taught her the value of working hard and playing hard at a young age. She’s worked with Global TV, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Larbar Canada, and Slice TV.

Has the pandemic affected your freelance work, art style or lifestyle in any way? How have you been coping personally?


I know this is kind of controversial to say, but the pandemic actually helped my business a lot! Now that people are left stuck at home and have so much more time on their hands that they’re finally tackling the tasks they’ve been meaning to accomplish on their to-do lists. Fortunately, I have seen a huge growth of clients in my business. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with clients that I’ve always wanted to work with. To be honest, I’ve been working non-stop since the pandemic began which I appreciate so much. My work alone has kept me very busy and sane amidst the chaos we’re in. 

The pandemic has truly allowed me to feel all my emotions and honestly, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve reached new levels of anxiety I didn’t think I’d ever have. However, focusing my time in designing has kept me sane. It also made me realize that every moment is precious, and that anything could happen at any time. So, I learned to simply create things I want to create and not hold back because of my fear of feeling judged by others. Quarantine has also given me the chance to try out new things and get out of my comfort zone such as baking and cooking new recipes.

Your art style is very colourful and whimsical, have you always had this style?


Growing up, I have always loved Disney, and that is where the majority of my inspiration comes from. I love translating the magical experience of Disney into my craft. Whether it’s walking into a Disney park or watching a Disney movie, I want that same exact feeling of happiness, magic, and love captured into my projects from start to finish. One of my OCAD professors told me that I had a distinct style, and from then on it encouraged me to improve my own style. That’s why I truly believe in the importance of illustrating your passion into your work, that way you’d be able to create a visual impact. 

What is your creative process like with commission work? Do you find yourself looking for opportunities, or do they come knocking at you? 


In the beginning of my freelance work, I was desperate to get any clients possible. So, I did do a lot of cold messages, and approached potential clients on social media. However, I found this method very inefficient and unsuccessful. Throughout the waiting period, I started working on passion projects of mine that I’d create with brands I’ve always dreamed of working with. With this, I was able to build up my portfolio and fill my social feed with content. This is what drove my clients to work with me as they started to see the type of designs I was creating. Today, I’m still creating custom branding for small businesses alike.

What’s the most challenging part about being a Freelance Graphic Designer and working for yourself? What do you love about it?


For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to fit inside a bubble of style that majority people found trendy or expected from me. I had to learn the hard way that this was obviously not for me. I’m guilty of comparing myself with other graphic designers, but I try to steer away from that as all it does is make me question my abilities. I’ve always asked myself, “is this right? Is what I’m doing the right way to do things?” But the answer is: there’s no right way. If you’re ever in the same situation of self-doubt, here is a quote I loved to recite whenever I was down, “Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else's' chapter 5.” From my experience, I found that it’s so important for you to go at your own pace; to focus on only you, because everyone has their own unique style. You just gotta do you boo. 

I’ve also found a community of people who cheer me on and who truly enjoy my work. So having a support system is crucial. I love working for myself because I can work on my own hours and have control over the types of projects I want to work on and don’t have to worry about people pleasing my co-workers. Frankly, I love the creative freedom I get to have because it only allows everything that I create to be made out of true passion.

If you can go back in time and talk to your younger self, what advice would you share to her?


I would remind my younger self to truly love yourself, to advocate for yourself, and to not care about what others think of you so much. Considering that loving yourself and speaking for yourself won’t come easy and won’t be until the very end of the near future, please continue to relish the journey. You will have to go through so many accounts of hardships and situations that make you feel awful but only at that time. It’s only temporary pain, and these experiences will only make you stronger. Last thing: People will come and go, and that’s okay too. 

Bonus Question: What is your dream project?

My absolute dream project would be to only collaborate with the one and only, Disney! It would be a dream come true to work for such a magical brand! I would also love to collaborate with a famous singer or band, and create a merch line or album cover for them.

Bonus Question: What are you up to next?


My next goal is to open up an online shop where I can sell my designs of stickers and even possibly merchandise! 

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You can find more of Sam on her website: samanthacastro.com, and Instagram @HellooSamSamDesigns.