Cassandra Karyshyn
Cassandra “Cassy” Karyshyn is a freelance graphic designer and visual artist based in the DC area, specializing in custom sneaker art, content creation, photography, and commercial graphic design. She began her creative journey sharing detailed, aesthetically pleasing sneaker paintings on social media, which helped her build an audience and launch her business, Cassy Kustoms. Over the past six years, she has honed her skills in composition, color, and layout through hands-on projects and formal coursework, evolving from a sneaker artist into a versatile designer capable of producing a wide range of visual content.
Currently completing her BFA in Graphic Design at Salisbury University, Cassy balances her freelance work with her role as a Junior Graphic Designer at SU Design Agency, where she collaborates with university partners to create engaging branding and identity systems for community organizations. She has worked with notable clients including Liberty Mutual Insurance, Wyrmwood Gaming, Planning Center Co., and Angelus Direct, creating everything from custom sneakers to tutorial videos reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers. Her work is defined by its soft, peaceful aesthetic, thoughtful storytelling, and attention to detail.
Cassy’s professional philosophy centers on independence, flexibility, and the ability to shape her creative career on her own terms. She is passionate about exploring new visual mediums and aspires to expand her work into collaborations with trendy brands, as well as food and beverage businesses such as cafes and restaurants. Whether painting sneakers, designing digital campaigns, or producing photography and video content, Cassy approaches each project with creativity, curiosity, and a commitment to turning her artistic passion into a meaningful career.
• Salisbury University- Bachelor's
• Montgomery College- A.A.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to start small while steadily growing my skills. By learning through hands-on projects, seeking guidance from mentors, and staying open to feedback, I’ve been able to balance academic studies with freelance work, building both discipline and adaptability. This approach has allowed me to evolve creatively and tackle increasingly complex design and branding projects.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to seek out mentors who can guide your growth and to be intentional about learning from those with expertise in areas you want to improve. This approach has helped me strengthen my skills in graphic and web design while growing creatively.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the creative industry is to start small while dreaming big, building your skills step by step and being patient with the learning process. Seek out mentors who can guide and encourage you, and don’t be afraid to put your work out into the world—even if it’s not perfect—because growth comes through practice and persistence.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are managing multiple commitments and balancing creative energy, deadlines, and freelance projects alongside school and part-time work. At the same time, there’s a strong opportunity in the growing demand for visual branding and creative content, especially for small businesses and food-related brands seeking authentic, compelling identities.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are creativity, growth, and intentional learning. I prioritize developing my craft thoughtfully, seeking mentorship when needed, and maintaining balance while managing multiple commitments. Independence and the ability to shape my work and life creatively are central, and I strive to create authentic designs that are meaningful to both me and my clients.