The Arts & Culture Journal

Sam Hayles is an independent art-director and graphic designer with experience in working with bands, record companies, Djs, artists and music composers since 1999.

Based in the south of France, after having lived and worked in Bristol in the UK, his capabilities span from concept development to design/direction, animation and illustration. Sam is also a practicing visual artist working across different mediums.

He has spent time as a designer and worked for a number of agencies before becoming totally independent in 2004,  in order to focus on his own design and style. This gave him the chance to grow into a style of design he truly enjoys creating. Not being influenced by the various trends that seem to infiltrate the collective output of the design and illustration world.

Sam highlights two points of inspiration in his creativity. Firstly is his love of music. A title of a song, a band, or even some lyrics are very often the starting point for his work. Films are also an inspirational medium as is witnessed by his wide and varied collection. As with all exciting designers, Sam is always on the look out for new materials and objects to play with.

“I always have my digital camera with me and take lots of photos anywhere I go. Walls, textures, urban elements, house. I go to markets in small French villages and look for old books and elements I could use - like a very old gas mask which I then took photos of and used in my work.”

Sam’s approach to design is revolutionary amidst a trend of ‘safe’ and ‘reproduced’ solutions.

“I have no rules and I like glitches, errors and sometimes a first idea or base can be totally left on the side and I can go in a totally different direction - I like 'accidents'.”