We recently connected with Salomé Castro and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Salomé , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience was forged during one of the hardest moments of my life when I was living in a shelter with my daughter after leaving an abusive relationship. Starting over felt impossible. I had nothing but a few bags, my child, and a will to survive. Living in a shelter was terrifying. Every day was uncertain. But I got through it. I fought for stability, for peace, for a better future. Not just for me, but for her.
That experience changed me forever. I’ve lived through things most people can’t imagine, but nothing has ever knocked me down for good. When life hits hard, I get back up and work harder. That’s where my strength comes from. From knowing I’ve already survived my darkest days. From the fire it took to rebuild a life from scratch and still believe in beauty, color, and purpose.
That resilience shows up in everything I create. Every design, every portrait, every story I tell is a celebration of survival and rebirth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I’m a multidisciplinary designer, creative director, and artist focused on blending culture, color, and storytelling through design. My background is in fashion and graphic design, and over the years I’ve worked across everything from branding and packaging to AI art and fashion illustration. What ties it all together is my belief that design should not only be beautiful, it should be intentional and meaningful.
After leaving the corporate world, I decided to freelance full-time as independent brands began reaching out for collaborations. These opportunities came after I gained a dedicated following on my Instagram (@salomeillustrates), which started as a pixel playground and evolved into a vibrant hub for people who appreciate color, culture and bold design.
What’s most exciting to me right now is stepping into new genres and mediums beyond traditional graphic design. I recently designed a set of surface pattern prints for an international fashion designer that will be sold through their brand at Anthropologie this fall. I also launched the Colibrí Collection, a fine jewelry collaboration rooted in symbolism and storytelling. Whether I’m working with a music video director or a fashion house, the opportunity to see my design work come to life across different formats is incredibly rewarding. There’s more in the works, and I’m just getting started.
I want people to know that none of this happened overnight. It came from struggle, from reinvention, and from deciding not to give up. Now I’m focused on building a legacy rooted in authenticity, creativity, and joy, one piece of art at a time.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience has been the foundation. You have to be strong and keep going, no matter how many times you’re knocked down. Especially as an independent creative, there are moments when things fall apart, projects don’t pan out, or life gets in the way. But you keep showing up and moving forward.
Listening is just as important. To do meaningful work, you need to truly listen and understand your client’s vision. That’s how you’re able to deliver something that not only looks good but feels aligned and intentional. Great design starts with empathy.
And finally, learning. Technology moves fast. To stay relevant and inspired, you have to be open to learning new tools and techniques. Right now that includes AI. My advice is to look for ways to use technology to enhance your creativity, not replace it. Stay curious. Stay adaptable. The tools will evolve, but your creativity is what makes the work unique.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I believe it’s important to lead with your strengths, but not to become too focused on one particular medium. Your strengths are what set you apart. They’re the core of your creative identity. But you should also be open to learning, growth, and always sharpening your creative skillset. For me, that’s design, storytelling, and cultural vision. Still, I’ve learned that being too focused only on what you’re good at can hold you back if you’re not open to exploring new areas.
When Hype Williams, a music video director, approached me to take on a video project, I almost said no. I had little experience in video or film. I was terrified (talk about imposter syndrome!). But his belief in me and encouragement helped build my confidence, and I learned so much from him. That experience opened my eyes to the parallels between static and motion design. I realized that even though the terminology was new, many of the principles were the same: how a frame is composed, how color, negative space, and detail all contribute to the overall story your telling. I saw how I could bring the skills I had in design into this new medium, and that gave me the confidence to keep exploring.
Another moment like that was when AI tools started emerging. At first, I was skeptical. I thought, is this going to replace artists? But once I learned to embrace it and use it as a tool, everything shifted. I realized this isn’t replacing my job, it’s enhancing it. Now I use AI as part of my creative process, especially in concept development and visual storytelling.
So I say, go all in on your strengths, but don’t close yourself off to growth. Let your strengths anchor you, and let curiosity guide you into new territory. That’s how you evolve as a creative and as a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: salome-castro.com and salome.myportfolio.com
- Instagram: @salomeillustrates.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salomecastro
Image Credits
Salomé Castro
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