We recently connected with Gabs Samame and have shared our conversation below.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an Art Director and Multidisciplinary Designer in advertising. I have produced work for a long list of notable clients and global powerhouse brands such as Santulana, Lava Innovation, Mawa Baby Care, Gigkloud, Shiner Beer, Diageo, Volvo, Advil, Tums, Pantene, Makro, and more.
In 2020, I had to face daunting challenges that came my way. I held onto my belief that every obstacle can be transformed into an opportunity, and every setback can be a stepping stone towards a brighter future. I dedicated my time to working on highly acclaimed personal projects. Specifically, through my organization, Four4Fun, LLC, I led the artistic development of Commercial Break, a distinguished game for made for advertising professionals. The game was featured in major publications in the advertising field such as AdForum, Ads of the World, Very Busy Brands, Mercado Negro, and more. Additionally, Commercial Break was recognized with a prestigious NYX Marcom Grand Award in the Advertising Category. The success of this production opened many doors for me in the advertising world.
My work has been recognized with coveted awards from respected organizations in the advertising industry including NYX Awards, Muse Awards, Vega Awards, Graphis Awards, Summit Creative Awards, and Creative Conscience Awards, to name a few.
I currently hold a lead role as an Art Director for Neon, a distinguished full-service ad agency that represents some of the largest players in the health industry. I have led the development of numerous distinguished campaigns for Neon’s prestigious clients including Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Blueprint, and Pfizer.
My resilience and hard work have certainly paid off and made me a highly sought-after, award-winning, Art Director.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I consider creativity as a fundamental skill that empowers me as an art director to come up with innovative ideas for visual campaigns. I learned to enhance this skill while I was in clown school, where I first utilized lateral thinking. This ability to think conceptually, beyond the obvious, and transform abstract ideas into unique and innovative, visually compelling stories that is what sets me apart. This has helped me with the concepting projects, specially at neon, where in 2022 I had the opportunity to work in over 10 pitch concept rounds. One of the results of it, it’s SuspectSM, an unbranded campaign for Blueprint.
My self-motivation is also a crucial quality that has helped me in my career. I take the initiative to continually improve my skills and seek out new creative inspirations. I enjoy pushing myself to learn and approach problem-solving with a positive attitude.
Lastly, I’d like to reiterate how perseverance is a quality that has helped me exponentially in the creative field. As designers, we face a range of challenges, from generating innovative ideas to meeting client expectations, incorporating multiple rounds of feedback, and keeping up with the latest design trends. Through a relentless process, we must refine our ideas, learn from our setbacks, and continuously improve our craft. Additionally, perseverance is linked to the ability to stay inspired, seeking new influences, and approaching every project with a fresh perspective delivering high-quality, impactful, and evolved ideas.
For those who aspire to have a career in the creative field, the path may seem challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, paired with determination, it is a journey of endless possibilities. I am also a firm believer in backing your creativity with a solid educational foundation can be pivotal. Whether it is through formal courses or self-learning on online platforms, one must familiarize themselves with the principles of design and master essential tools like the Adobe Creative Suite. These skills will ultimately help build a diverse portfolio where one can showcase and prove their talent. Even staying informed, being aware of the industry trends, and analyzing successful campaigns can do wonders for inspiration and enhancing your skillsets. I also recommend attending workshops and conferences for continuous learning and networking opportunities. And I can’t emphasize enough on the power of staying passionate, committed, adaptable, and always striving for growth and creativity. With persistence and hard work, you can achieve your goals and make your mark in the world of art direction.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I take a break to recharge myself. Giving yourself the rest you need is only going to help you do your best when you get back to work. I personally love going for a walk around a water fountain, hiking, attending a Pilates class, or playing tennis to clear my mind. After that, I take a shower and make a list to organize my thoughts. This helps me view the task in the form of steps, and ultimately makes me feel more in control and not overwhelmed. If I’m going through a creative block, I go to a public space and observe everything happening around me. I believe that seeking inspiration from the world around me, and thinking through new perspectives can help me overcome any challenge.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gabsamame.com
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gabsamame
