Cristal Castro
Cristal Castro is a European-American communication design student at the New York City College of Technology. Her passion for the arts and design came at an early age, drawing anime characters and strange cartoons. Despite being told that she’d be better off as a sonography specialist, Cristal knew from the very beginning that the design industry was meant for her. At NYCCT, she hopes to refine her skills in all types of design in order to become successful.
What is your avatar and how does it represent you as a person, as a designer?
My avatar is Sam Manson as an adult from Danny Phantom. I think the avatar represents me in the sense that I like to express myself visually, not verbally. I think visual expression is much more powerful because when you hear something, you don’t always remember it. However, when you look at something that really catches your eye you are more likely to remember it. Part of my childhood was watching cartoons from the late 90’s to mid-2000’s, and Danny Phantom was one of my favorites. I enjoy drawing cartoons and even creating my own while having nostalgia. Sam was my favorite character from the show, and if I were to draw myself as a cartoon, I’d look like her.
Who is a role model you look up to in this field?
A role model I look up to in this field is Paula Scher, one of the most influential graphic designers in the world. About a year ago I watched a docuseries on Netflix called Abstract: The Art of Design, highlighting artists that have made an impact in design. The sixth episode was about Paula Scher, and that’s how I found out about her. I was surprised when I realized that I’ve seen her work almost everywhere, even at CitiBank. The way she’d combine pop culture with typography and contemporary art intrigued me, especially since at the time when designers didn’t use those elements in their work. Another thing that I admired about Scher is the fact that she has become very successful in a male-dominated industry, and I want to do the same thing.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10?
In five years, I see myself with my BFA degree in hand and having a full-time job as a graphic designer. With this job I will have enough money to move out on my own, probably in a studio at the Upper West Side. In ten years, I see myself living in Madrid, Spain having a higher position at a larger company. Being at home will allow me to introduce new styles and techniques to the country, adding a cultural twist. I hope to be influential as a result. I’ll probably be engaged, have two children, and adopt some pets. This is where I see myself in the future, but will time take me somewhere else? Who knows.
Can you see yourself doing anything else?
Career wise, I see myself 100% invested in design. I have a huge imagination and many ideas, and design is the one thing that allows me to express myself and my brand to the fullest. In design, there’s always room for improvement, even if you’re an expert. You can always change something in your work that may seem off to others, and everyone has a different perspective when it comes to art. That’s what I love about design. I also see myself travelling around the world, expanding my knowledge and imagination.
What are your past graphic design experiences?
In high school, I took multiple design classes including Digital Animation, Prototyping Design, Design Studio, and Digital Media. I designed my own app and logo, sketched up a futuristic car and made a clay mold of it, and even made a movie poster. I used Photoshop, SketchUp, and Sketch (my personal favorite). During my free time, I like to create different graphics and covers for whatever song comes to mind. This is an album cover that I created of Satin Jackets. Sometimes music helps me set the tone for the cover. In this case, the song Olivia by Satin Jackets is relaxing, so I did a minimalistic approach. The picture was actually taken by myself during a trip to Nerja, Spain.
