Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Camastra.
Hi Richard, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from New York. I love and miss it there. I spent my childhood bouncing back and forth between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Although I always loved art, I pursued a different interest in college at first – architecture. I got accepted into Syracuse University’s highly competitive 5-year program… and left it in three years. I took a study trip to Taiwan through SU, and it gave me some perspective on my values and what I was looking to get out of a career. In 2015, I decided to take my artistic interests more seriously and moved to San Francisco, California, to study visual development in hopes of landing a concept art job in games or animation. By 2019, I had landed my first professional job as a concept artist working on a Disney Jr. preschool show called Chicken Squad. Over the next few years, my career started to pick up speed as I began working with several big-name companies like NBC, Disney TVA, & LEGO. In 2023, I had the amazing opportunity to serve as the art director on LEGO’s popular animated Netflix series “LEGO Dreamzzz” season 2. That year, my partner, a designer as well, and I started discussing branching out of our careers a little bit and trying something new. In the fall of 2024, we launched our own design house here in Austin called Roomy ATX. Although still new, we have spent the last few months working with clients on iconic branding for local businesses and bands, developing large-scale art installations within the city, and even becoming printmakers and developing a line of fine art prints that are now being sold in local stores!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Taking the leap of faith to follow my dreams and pursue a career in animation was one of the most difficult decisions of my life. When I was a teenager, my mother became ill due to COPD and struggled with on-and-off homelessness for a while. While I wasn’t living with her, my mother and I shared a strong bond, and she was a force under my wings and always pushed me to foster my talents and dreams. Around the age of 21, it got worse, and she was in and out of a coma frequently. I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of leaving while she was in this condition. I didn’t know how much longer she had left. When she came to, I told her that I had decided to stay and take care of her. Without hesitation, my mom responded with “don’t ruin your life because mine didn’t turn out as planned.” She’s at peace now, but every day I’m reminded of that much-needed, selfless push she gave me. I have my entire career, partner, and life to thank her for.
We’ve been impressed with Roomy ATX, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Roomy ATX is a labour of love between my partner, Marisa Torres, and I. Much of the spirit of our design house comes from the constant inspiration we receive from Austin itself. “Keep Austin weird,” the mid-century revival, the mixture of cultures, a constant appreciation for graphic design and print making – all ingredients that we wanted to forge into a design house that feels familiar but provides a new take on things.
Roomy ATX approaches design similar to how we would approach an asset for an animated film. We think of each opportunity and every business as a new IP and world we can develop. Mascots are character designs, prints/ t-shirt graphics are illustrations or story beats in the world of our clients. Looking to make your space feel like a Saturday morning cartoon with a fun IRL installation? We got you. Need a cute Hanna-Barbera style character that captures the spirit of your business for advertising? Also check.
Within our first 6 months, we have proudly landed several contracts with businesses and bands across the United States to create unique branding materials, merchandise, and eye-catching posters for promotional events. Currently, we are also participating in the development of a super exciting new immersive experience, which is expected to open in South Austin later this year.
We are also printmakers and have crafted a line of fine art prints that can be purchased on our site, www.roomyatx.com, or in local stores like Clover + Maven and Parker & Scott. Part of what led us to create Roomy was a core belief Marisa and I share – great design should be accessible to everyone. We look at our prints as the missing middle between big box and artist commission. Our work is scalable, but in a way that allows customers to purchase an heirloom item that feels like a museum piece on the wall. Our work focuses on what we refer to as the three C’s: community, connection, and culture. In the future, we look forward to working with several more brands here in Austin, across the country, and maybe even the world!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Artists often want to go into our worlds when we draw. This is a natural tendency and should not be ignored for one’s sanity haha! However, the ability to connect with your clients and bring their worlds to life with your unique flavors is where the magic happens. Clear communication will also take you far! Animation is a team sport. It requires everyone to work together across multiple departments and consistently communicate. While Roomy ATX may be small now and just focus on design, we approach our workflow the same way. My partner and I are constantly working with each other and collaborating daily to provide our clients with the best results imaginable!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.roomyatx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roomy.atx/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-camastra-93a5679b/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/rcamastraart/
