The Creative Boom Podcast 153. From Storms to Success: Playing the Long Game, with Sam Gilbey
May 25, 2025
This week’s guest, Sam Gilbey, is a celebrated illustrator known for his striking portraits of cult movie characters and pop culture icons. In a lively chat, he shares his journey from web design to becoming a sought-after artist for Blu-ray covers while discussing survival in today’s creative landscape. Sam reflects on nostalgia—from cereal box ads to VHS art—and the impact of fatherhood on his career pivot. He emphasizes the importance of passion, resilience, and spotting opportunities amidst challenges, with humor and honesty that resonates with creatives everywhere.
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Sam's Career Evolution
- Sam Gilbey started his creative career about 20 years ago, initially combining illustration with graphic and web design.
- He gradually shifted focus to illustration full-time in the last decade, building his distinctive style.
Early Web Design Adventures
- Sam worked on Weetabix's first website, creating interactive and animated content during the early web design era.
- The era was wild and creative with no clear rules, offering exciting opportunities to experiment.
The Artist's View on AI
- Sam feels conflicted about AI art; he dislikes seeing AI-generated images but understands their novelty.
- He values the creative challenge of making art, which AI shortcuts with instant results remove.