Takeover Tuesday with Samy Halim
An interview with Samy Halim, an illustrator and graphic artist from Bordeaux, France.
Q&A with Samy Halim
Read time: 5min
Madison Caprara:
Hi, Samy! I really appreciate you taking the time for this interview. Why don’t we kick it off with an introduction to yourself? Who are you and what is it that you do? How did you find yourself in the creative industry?
Samy Halim:
Hi, my pleasure!
I’m Samy Halim, an artist creating vibrant pop portraits and some animals, mainly on iPad and in the Procreate app. I’m based near Bordeaux in the south-west of France, born in Algeria from an Algerian father and French mother, studied at the Art school of Algiers, then we moved to France in 1994.
During my 10 months of military service I was supervising the Graphics office of the International Cooperative Technical Service of the Police in 1995-1996 where I started getting a little familiar with digital tools like Photoshop. I remember at that time there was just one layer and one undo level, so I had to be really sure of what I was doing :D. I learned Corel Suite also with a goal of replicating what I did organically in a digital format.
After my service I started working in Parisian studios and agencies. My first job was in a small studio near Bercy in Paris that had about 4 people including the CEO and two secretaries. My last job as an art director in graphic design was in an agency called Pixelis, where were approximately 80 or so. I left it in 2011 to create my own studio, specializing in illustration and packaging design and then in 2017 I won a packaging Pentaward for the design of three liqueur bottles.
I worked and currently work with different international agencies and companies like Dior, Lancôme, Hilton hotels, Harper Collins, Washington Post, Hennessy, Clément Rhum, Tanqueray gin, FFF (French Football Federation), Savage Interactive (Procreate developers), Wizards of the Coast, Ubisoft, BBDO Dublin, Landor,to name a few…
Madison Caprara:
For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you go about describing your work (look/feel, thematics, etc.)? Do you find yourself gravitating to a specific subject matter or topic?
Samy Halim:
My work is mainly about people and I like to show the beauty and personality in every single person. I like to show the diversity, equity, equality, in a colorful and vibrant style, using expressions and postures that create some connection with the onlooker. This is very important for my work. Having a hook and a unique look is key to successful artwork. I’m mostly inspired from the Art Déco era in the 20s-30s and the Memphis design of the 80s-90s, from fashion, music, and other artists like Andy Warhol, Jean-Paul Goude, Peter Sato, Tamara de Lempicka, Ichiro Tsuruta, Ludwig Holhwein, Tom Purvis, J.C. Leyendecker, Alfons Mucha, and Coles Phillip.
Madison Caprara:
I see that you underwent training at the Fine Arts School of Algiers. Tell us a bit about that experience. How integral was it to your current success?
Samy Halim:
Unfortunately, I only trained for a year with the Fine Arts School of Algiers and had to leave Algeria because of the civil war. I was in the Graphic Design program where I learned academic drawing, sketching, how to use different tools and media like acrylic paint, felt pens, pencils, and technical pens.
But the biggest part of work was in my room. I was improving my skills all day and all night by creating imaginary logos and brands, making a lot of portraits as well with different approaches like colored pencils, stippling technique, felt pens, and more. I had to try and master different tools and techniques to end up with my pop style, but the journey was very long, it took me about 20 years. I was always seeking something special. Something unique and recognizable at first sight, and I think what makes it special is the balance between flat and edgy shapes and the shadings on the skin between cold and warm colors which are inspired from sunsets to provoke a certain mood.
Madison Caprara:
Are you currently freelancing? What did your professional path look like up until this point?
Samy Halim:
Currently I’m freelancing for different companies, agencies, studios, small and international brands, and after receiving lots of encouragement from my community of followers, I started working with some companies on NFTs. This is all new to me, and I have a lot to learn, but it’s so exciting!
H-Theoria - Effrontément Liqueur by Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
How did the way you think about your work and creative processes change as it began to gain more attention?
Samy Halim:
Very interesting question!
My perspective changed when I started putting a hook in the center of the artwork. Like the overall construction combining organic and mechanical shapes and using a good balance of cold and warm colors. Putting details in strategic places makes it more interesting; kind of like Easter eggs.
Madison Caprara:
You are currently based in Bordeaux, correct? What is the industry like in that part of the world? How does it compare to others that you have found yourself in?
Samy Halim:
Most of the designers here in Bordeaux are web and UI-UX designers. Some are illustrators for different industries like books, press, and video games. We have Ubisoft based here, but I have no connection with them. Covid doesn’t help.
I never try to do the same thing as others, instead I try to find success based on my own distinctive work.
Rapunzel - Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
You operate under the entity of WAAW STUDIO. What was the impetus to starting the studio? When did it go from Samy Halim to WAAW?
Samy Halim:
Before creating that name it was “Almost Famous Studio”, but it was too hard for non English speakers to spell it. So, I ended up with that palindrome name, and you guessed it, I wanted it symmetrical : ) It looks graphical and is constructed well. I wanted to make a difference between my pop-art style and my Illusive and luxurious style (Illusive Studio). But I am gathering everything under my own name. By trying to separate both styles people get lost. My friends and those who know me and my work advised me to use only my name.
Madison Caprara:
Who has been your favorite client (or project) to with? Tell us a bit about that!
Samy Halim:
There are many! My project with Dior was a sweet collaboration, Wizards of the Coast a really cool one as well, and H-Theoria liqueurs gave me carte blanche on the creative.
Dior - Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
Your current work explores popular culture figures using an ipad pro. What led you down this path? How does this medium/method help you to realize your vision in a way that a more hands-on approach cannot?
Samy Halim:
iPad Pro helped me unleash my creativity and to explore different tools and techniques in addition to classical ones. Symmetry feature in Procreate gave me the ability to realize what I always had in mind and the drawing assistant was a great feature too. I’m creating work much faster and to be able to take my device everywhere is fantastic; I can create whenever inspiration comes. I spend 95% of my time working on IPad Pro and it’s getting harder and harder to work on a computer.
Madison Caprara:
I’m curious, how do you determine which celebrities to feature in these portraits? Purely random? Personal appreciation?
Samy Halim:
I choose my celebrities based on if I think they can be integrated into a geometrical composition harmoniously or if they represent a pop-art and hip-hop style. Some of them are for an impactful reason.
Ye - Samy Halim
Madison Caprara:
What’re some of the strategies you have implemented when looking for inspiration without getting overwhelmed by the work of other artists you admire?
Samy Halim:
No strategy. Inspiration comes more from people in the street or from pictures on social media. The artists I admire are like a background, a base, I don’t necessarily think of a particular style when I create, I think it appears in some details unintentionally.
Madison Caprara:
If you had to choose one key point of advice to share for those wanting to become a successful digital illustrator, what would it be?
Samy Halim:
If I had one piece of advice to give, without hesitation, it would be to be yourself. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the styles you admire. Do your own thing, exactly how you want it, and don’t give up for any reason. Stay the course until you end up with something that reflects your vision.
Madison Caprara:
Is there anything exciting we should be looking out for from you in the near future?
Samy Halim:
Yes, definitely! I’m getting into the NFT universe, and I’d be happy to be an actor in the metaverse, as I am mainly a digital artist. I think I have my place out there, and hopefully doing some exhibitions in the US and the UK.
Madison Caprara:
Is there anything in particular you would like to end the interview on?
Samy Halim:
Dreams have a certain price, patience, and faith and anyone who wants to reach them has to invest the time.