Cesar Santillan Flores
Cesar Santillan Flores
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico
www.spark.adobe.com/page/G9eva0AuYp7V7
instagram @cesarsantillan37
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a family man, so I do everything! Hahaha!”
And I’m also a graphic designer, illustrator and writer. And when I have time to spare I invent wooden things or explore in search of insects.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
Before studying design I already had some experience working in television and was continuously participating in logo / poster contests. I think that catapulted my university career. At that point I had to concentrate 100% by sacrificing parties and some aspects of my friendships for magazines, movies, books and everything that could enrich my graphic thinking. It sounds very boring but all that led me to this interview.
How do you stand out in your field?
At age 7 I won my first state drawing contest and that day I learned to measure myself with others, to recognize the work of others and add more quality to the next job. Today I could present myself as someone who prefers the different to the new.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now I am building the visual image of a communication agency and looking for a publisher to publish a book of short stories. And I’m also still in a couple of contests.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I never imagined being an illustrator, but in this area I reflected calm and peaceful emotions. I am very basic and clean. I like to abstract the images to the maximum, I am guided by the “less is more” ethos.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Definitely the visual fields are my thing, but I’ve always wanted to flirt more with industrial design. In the last two years I have also experimented by working as a radio announcer and I was fascinated with the experience!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Time will always be insufficient, but when you dedicate enough to your family, the frustration disappears. (Well, now that I think about it, the project of my book is still waiting to see the light, hahaha!)
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I like to be involved in all of my company’s design processes, but I need to delegate activities. But a lot helps me if I listen to BeeGees all day, hahaha!
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
When I finished college I thought that leading a design agency would take me a long time to achieve. I could have given more formality to the work I did back then, today I would be better able to develop broader structures in graphic services.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Automotive mechanic!
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
The growth of Santillán Design is undoubtedly paramount. I look for projects that, in addition to image, allow us to give consulting and implement work areas. The conferences are also a great opportunity to transmit knowledge to the new generations.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I have a frequent client that authorizes everything that we present to him and he also praises me (and it’s not my mom, haha!). But that is NOT the best customer. The ideal client is the one who gives us his confidence to cook in his kitchen, and we assure him that the aromas will make the whole family want to eat. (And do not skimp on rewarding us with a generous portion of dessert, hahaha!!)
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
I organize the costs per project. A logo can start from $300 up to $500. An illustration costs approximately $400.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
You can contact me by email cesarsantillan37@gmail.com and talk about your project, I will love to propose solutions that will lead you to more.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Take the idea, add gunpowder, light the wick. That is design.
This member profile was originally published in Decemeber 2018.