samborghini_sam-bledsoe

Samborghini

Designer

samborghini_sam-bledsoe

Samborghini

Designer

Sam Bledsoe, A.K.A Samborghini is a designer from Seattle, Washington. Traditionally a textile artist he now dabbles with all avenues of design. He is a self-taught graphic designer whose eclectic style is catching the attention of hip-hop’s heavy hitters and has designed for Macklemore, Migos and Billie Eilish. Thanks for chatting with us Sam!
© Samborghini
© Samborghini
© Samborghini
© Samborghini

What do you do?

I draw T-shirt designs for rappers, like Migos, and Macklemore. I also draw designs for my brand, “Samborghini” and sell them at Zumiez and other street wear retailers.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wanted to be an artist. I wasn’t really aware of “graphic design,” so just to be an artist of some sort was always my dream. I looked at the art on skateboards in Thrasher Magazine, when I was like 8 and was mesmerized. There was just something so infatuating about the bad ass, non-main stream attitude about them.

Tell us about your journey to becoming a freelancer.

I have been holding down full-time apparel jobs for the past 8 years, and freelancing on the side. It has been a grind. It was just too much work, so I decided to quit my last job at Tommy Bahama and focus on my own brand “Samborghini”. I am still doing other work for other street wear brands and rappers too, but now I can be picky and only work on jobs I am going to share with the world and put in my portfolio, because I am hyped on them.

© Samborghini

When you first started, how did you find clients?

I really only do t-shirt graphics for rappers and street wear brands. That is pretty niche, so the brands would come to me, by DMing me on Instagram. I would also reach out to rappers by DMing them too, because I was a fan of their music. Seattle has a dope local rap scene, and they all need designs!

Do you have a motto that you work by?

It’s super cheesy and cliche, but… “If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life”. It’s true! I have been designing t-shirts for 8 straight years now, and it really doesn’t seem like work for me. It’s a dream.

How do you stay productive?

By being picky about the work I pick up. I only do projects I am really excited about, so it just makes me hyped. I’m always on my grind and hustle… I’m on my Grustle. I also drink like 3 cups of coffee a day.

© Samborghini

What are you working on right now?

I am working on new Samborghini t-shirt designs for Spring 2019. I just finished a little collection for Migos and doing some shirt designs for Rebel8 and Slush Cult.

What is your dream project?

I would love to do shirt designs for Nike. It doesn’t get much bigger than that. Maybe a shirt design for Drake, that would be pretty cool too. Everyone loves Drake.

What one piece of advice would you give to a freelancer just starting out?

Be picky about what projects you pick up. Only do projects that make sense for you, and fit your aesthetics and personal branding. Then your designs will all have the same look and feel, and people will come to you for your style. And always remember, “the more you kern, the more you earn.”

“The more you kern, the more you earn.”

What is the best piece of advice you've been given?

“You create your own luck.” – My dad.

Tell us about a time in your career when you struggled.

When a business partner slash investor made me sign a non-compete for a T-shirt brand. I couldn’t work on any other work for a few years. It really made me feel like my hands were tied behind my back.

What are you listening to, reading or watching that is inspiring to you lately?

“Not most people” It’s my homies youtube channel, and they interview artists and individuals of different sub cultures. It really shows you that there is just so many alternatives than holding down a corporate job.

What is your favourite piece of clothing?

When I was in 6th grade, I had this crazy Tommy Hilfiger jacket that looked like it was straight out of a Missy Elliot music video. It was blue and had two reflective track stripes down the sleeves and looked like an astronaut jacket. That thing was insane and I wish I still had it.

What is the strangest thing about you?

I grew up in the Seattle metropolitan area, but have a really strange obsession with country music. It doesn’t make sense. It’s like how people from the middle of nowhere love rap music, but flopped.

Who would you like most to answer these questions next?

How can we find out more about your work?