Samy Löwe is a freelance illustrator and designer from southern Germany. He is a proud founder of his own agency where he can exercise his passion for creative storytelling, mixed media, and combining photography with illustrative elements.
“Be yourself, be patient, and try as many things as you can. We’re living in a world full of crazy opportunities and it’s amazing what you can create.”
Can you please tell us a bit about your background? Please add at least one random interesting fact about you.
I grew up in a small village in southern Germany, near Stuttgart and I was always fascinated by the design world and the way of entertaining people.
When I was 14 I started a little Youtube channel and I had so much fun creating the videos, designing my thumbnails and channel designs, that I decided to do my studies in communication design in 2015. In this time I tested as many different creative things as I could, like photography, design, typography, and filming.
When I started, the only thing I knew was that I don’t want to draw; my goal was to be a “real” designer. Hehe, that worked out perfectly and now I’m 25 and a freelance illustrator, designer, and proud founder of my own agency called ‘crew studio‘.
What inspired you to make art?
A lot of different things inspire me every day. Subcultural trends, things we see in our surroundings or on social media, and people I spend my time with.
In the end, my goal is to see things differently and to present those ideas and the point of view to other people. I think that every single piece of art should ask you if you have seen the world this way before? A huge inspiration for that way of thinking was Christoph Niemann and Chris Do.
Did you study at art school(s) or are you self-taught?
Yes, I studied communication design in 2015 and graduated in 2018.
This time was very important because I tried so many creative things. I experimented with filming and photography, logo design, illustration, and social media. After this journey, I learned so many things and I still try to combine them in my daily work. The moment when I realized that this is possible changed my mind. It’s a great time to be alive.
How did you develop your own art style?
I tried as many things as I can.
Back in 2019, a few months after I graduated, I started a 365 days art challenge. My goal was to create something every single day. I posted it on social media and it boosted my skills like crazy. I built a portfolio, grew a community on Instagram, and developed different styles.
Try to tell a story with your art and feel free to share it with the world.
How did you start making a living as an artist? What was your first paid art job?
My first paid design job was a logo design for a friend and a few invitation cards for a wedding.
I highly recommend that every beginner artist talk very openly about their skills and their portfolio. You don’t need huge brands in the beginning. It’s more like a small spark and the first steps.
What do you live from as an artist now? What are your main income streams and what is the approximate % split of each?
I have three different income streams at the moment and that’s something I can highly recommend.
Multiple income streams are the best way to be independent. My first one is the service I provide, and my work as a freelancer. We also provide corporate designs in our crew studio, so we work for clients. Another income stream is my social media cooperation and partnerships with brands. And the third one is my own online drawing courses. I teach people to use the iPad creatively. The approximate split should be about 60% service, 30% cooperation and 10% online courses.
What are you currently working on?
We are working on a lot of different ideas for our social media. We want to start a Youtube channel with monthly or even weekly videos.
And today I worked on two awesome coops with Logitech and Adobe. I can’t tell you the details but it is going to be really cool, so stay tuned 🙂
What do you think are the most important characteristics of an artist?
Creativity in combination with honesty and interest in telling stories. This fascination is very important if you want to create something meaningful.
What are the art tools and other products and services you can’t live without?
Definitely my iPad and the Adobe Cloud. I’m addicted! 🙂
What are your favorite art and other books (fiction, non-fiction)?
I love the art book ‘Sunday sketching’ from Christoph Niemann, a great collection of his work and his project. He tried to be very creative every Sunday and posted the result on Instagram. He experimented with different objects and it’s such a pleasure for the eye to see all his crazy ideas.
What advice would you give yourself as a beginner artist? Or alternatively please include your favorite quote and the author.
Be yourself, be patient, and try as many things as you can. We’re living in a world full of crazy opportunities and it’s amazing what you can create.
Favorite quote:
When you start this kind of journey, it’s like you know what’s important for you but you don’t necessarily know where you’re going. But if you make the decision based on these things that matter to you, wherever you’re gonna end up, it’s where you need to go. – Bjarne Engels (Abstract)
Move your creative journey forward with Skillshare, an affordable online learning community with hands-on classes for creative and curious people.
★ Click below to get a FREE Month of Skillshare
Get in touch with Samy
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/samy_loewe/
- Personal website: www.samy-loewe.com
Thank you, Samy, for joining us today!
All artworks by Samy Löwe, used with permission.
Master the Procreate app on your iPad with practical examples
This class is a quick and easy guide to getting up and running with Procreate on your iPad. No experience necessary!
Hi, I am Iva (rhymes with “viva”). I am a full-time self-taught artist behind Art Side of Life® and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. I have 15 years of experience in the creative field as a concept designer, illustrator, art director, and now freelance artist, content creator, and art instructor. My goal is to help you get your creative groove on with Procreate and make awesome art through practical classes, tutorials, Procreate brushes, and guides on art tools, supplies and resources. About me »
