Karoleen Decastro is a graphic/web designer and artist based in Los Angeles. She specializes in branding, web design and illustration.
In her work, Karoleen aims to create not only functional products, but aesthetic experiences that convey messages across the boundaries of language, culture and belief. She’s created designs for cultural and social organizations, independent artists, start-ups and larger entities. No matter what the project, the goal remains the same: create great design and be an innovator while doing it.
Karoleen grew up in North Hollywood, CA and has lived in Santa Barbara and Sussex, England. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2008, earning a degree in Art Studio. Immediately following graduation, she became a graphic designer and illustrator for the Marine Science Institute, one of the nation’s largest marine research organizations. During her time there she worked with many scientists and educators, creating websites, print materials and infographics for clients such as Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and Google Oceans. She also created about 80 illustrations and infographics for the textbook, Climate Change Biology, which was recently published and now being used in classrooms all over the nation.
In 2010, she traveled across Europe and Egypt, taking in the sights and inspirations that fuel design there. She currently works both independently, and for a web design and marketing studio in Los Angeles.
Her training in fine art, and studio experience in design allows her to combine function with artistic expression, though the two are often separated. Constantly on the hunt for inspiration, Karoleen spends time playing guitar, running races, taking photos, and traveling the world. She also creates commissioned art on canvas shoes for her project, Inked Kicks, which launched in 2009.
To inquire about a project, please fill out the Logo Design Questionnaire or the Website Design Questionnaire. To order a pair of custom canvas shoes, you can fill out the Inked Kicks Questionnaire.
