This is not a website
This how I think, create, and move people through design ❤️
Hi, I’m Sam. I’m a designer, book author, and storyteller using design as a tool to share stories. To me, design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about how it feels, what it says, and who it moves. I don’t do pretty things, I build meaningful experiences.
Some of the brands that I’ve helped:
This is not a testimonial wall
This is proof that design done right makes people happy
This is not a bio
This is my manifesto for making things that matter
i’m sam, a mexican-american designer based wherever i can get wi-fi and good coffee ☕️. i create design with a pulse. design that not just looks good but does good, feels real, and connects people.
i’ve launched products, built brands, published books, created games, and led projects from scratch to real life. i thrive at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and personality.
this is what drives me
I believe design is storytelling. I’m not here to decorate screens. I’m here to build experiences that move people, make them feel something, or help them see the world differently. I design for real people, not stakeholders.
Things I’m proud of:
7+ years of experience
Designing mindfully with purpose, not trends. I have experience in branding, websites, and strategy across industries.
2 published books
I don’t just design, I share my experience. Don’t be boring: build bold websites was my debut as an author.
∞ creativity
I do story-driven projects, each of them with its own narrative. I design with a message in mind, so the work resonates, not just impresses.
These aren’t pretty things
This is proof that I bring story, strategy and creativity to design projects
These are some of the projects that made me pause, push, and grow. They’re more than deliverables, they are how i solve real problems through meaning and human experiences. tl;dr: if you want safe, templated, and forgettable, you won’t find it here.
projects
This isn’t a board game line
It’s human interaction through brand experience
what started as a cardboard prototype made during a roadtrip is now being played in cafés across new Zealand, usa, and Canada. no big team behind or massive budget, just a hunch, a lot of late nights, and a love for real human connection.
i designed the games, the brand, the site, and the packaging, got it printed in taiwan and got it sold in three countries. this is a proof that i can take projects from the ground all the way to execution in the shape of a game.
This is more than just a project
It’s a holistic brand experience
somewhere between a foggy cliff in new zealand and a board game made from leftover cardboard, i remembered what it felt like to actually be present. no cellular data, no notifications. just laughter, nature, and strangers becoming friends. play by samonster was born from that moment, it was my way of fighting back against time spent on our phones. what started as one silly game has grown into a collection: board games, books, and experiences meant to pull people off their phones and back into the real world.
I help you:
Build brands, craft websites & share experiences that stand out
Work with me
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Share your big idea
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Let’s talk strategy
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bring your idea to life
get a personalized plan for your project, complete with a timeline and the steps necessary to bring your vision to life.
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Let’s get in touch
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