ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER & FOUNDER, ARTISTCALLEDPARIS.COM, SOMERVILLE MA
Samantha is an award-winning versatile art director, designer, and fine artist with over eighteen years of experience building compelling brands and design solutions across multiple platforms. For over a decade she worked as the Art Director/Senior Designer at American Public Television where she led the creative on a wide variety of projects in print and digital. Samantha has worked with high fashion magazines, publications, lifestyle gift boutiques, and public media. Her previous clients include the Lenox Hotel, Harvard University, 38 Studios, TJX, Liberty Mutual, Houghton Mifflin, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. On the flip side, her passion for art doesn’t stop at the office; she is dedicated to painting and creating fine art for clients around the U.S.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Born in Syracuse NY and live in Boston MA
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
I try to be a morning person but mostly a night owl
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Frida Kahlo
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
I like a variety of music but I do not play an instrument
FAVORITE BOOK?
Proof of Heaven and The Universe Has Your Back
FAVORITE MOVIE?
I always love a good 80’s movie
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
Mad Men and Stranger Things
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Instagram
FAVORITE PODCAST?
Hidden Brain, TED Radio Hour, Design Matters with Debbie Millman, and The Deep End Design
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol
FAVORITE CHARITY OR CAUSE?
Cancer Research Institute
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Traveling and working out
COLLECT ANYTHING?
No, but I feel like I have enough clutter around to establish a collection
WHICH AREA OF GRAPHIC DESIGN IS GROWING THE MOST?
It’s hard to say, I think web and UX for sure, but packaging, print and video will always be needed.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
Debbie Millman, Paula Scher, Paul Sahre, Stefan Sagmeister
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Strength: Curiosity and communication. Weakness: I’m human
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Never say never. Learn and absorb everything you can. Stay up to date in technology and design trends. Make strong and healthy connections in your network, keep having fun and get inspired.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Fine artist, which I am!
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”- Andy Warhol
