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About me

Reviews

Content

Branding

Publications

Portfolio

Syl Santema

Where creativity meets structure

I'm a designer and project lead who creates visual identities, publications, and content. From the first idea to the final delivery, I ensure that the result and the process are effective, engaging, and built to last. A creative thinker and a structured maker.

Scroll down to see how the pieces come together.

Portfolio

Discover my work

Below is a selection of my work, divided into three categories:

Publications, Branding, and Content. Each project combines creative thinking with a structured approach, resulting in designs that work, visually and practically.

Publications

Where layout and storytelling come together.

From book covers to editorial layouts, I design publications that balance readability, clarity, and aesthetics. My focus is on visual storytelling, where every page guides the reader and reflects the essence of the content.

Scroll to see recent projects.

  • Sporen van Wekerom – Wim Hol

    A 372-page historical book, for which I designed the cover, full interior layout, custom illustrations, and managed the entire production process from planning to print.

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  • Familiestatuut – AEGIR-Marine BV

    A 136-page family charter, designed as an archival book that blends personal storytelling with custom illustrations, including the iconic elephant motif.

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  • 192nd Almanak –
    G.S.C. Vindicat atque Polit

    A 688-page yearbook, designed from cover to cover, combining editorial design with custom illustrations for a print run of 3,000 copies.

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  • Zwona’s Levensverhaal

    An 88-page biographical book combining personal storytelling, photography, and graphic design into a lasting tribute.


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Branding

Clear concepts, consistent design systems.

I develop logos and visual identities that are both strategic and versatile. Every brand has its own story, and I translate that into a structured visual system that’s easy to apply online, offline, and everywhere in between.

Browse the carousel to view examples of my branding projects

Content

Designs that deliver the message.

From social media campaigns to print materials, I create on-brand, engaging, and effective content. I focus on delivering polished assets that fit seamlessly into a larger communication strategy, whether for digital platforms or physical spaces.

Scroll through the carousel to see recent projects.

  • Marie-Stella-Maris

    Designing social content, POS-materials, and digital assets for Marie-Stella-Maris, ensuring consistent brand communication across all channels.

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  • Digital Advent Calendar – Use/space

    An interactive digital advent calendar concept and animation, combining playful design with daily surprises for Use/space’s Christmas campaign.

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  • De Best Value-aanpak

    Infographic and custom illustrations for a practical guide on performance-based procurement, designed to make complex content clear and engaging.

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  • Custom Illustrations

    I occasionally create custom vector illustrations on commission. These projects explore stylized, clean visuals and often serve as personal gifts or portraits.

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  • Mutsaerts Communication

    Illustrations, presentations, and print materials designed for healthcare and non-profit communication.


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Reviews

What my clients say

Discover what clients share about their experiences and why they chose me. Below are a few words from people I’ve worked with.

  • Syl created a clear structure from the start and kept the process on track—even during holidays, everything kept moving forward. Her planning was tight, her communication consistent, and she made sure we met the deadline exactly as agreed.

    Sporen van Wekerom, Publications

    Wim Hol

  • Syl has an amazing hands-on approach, she communicaties very quick and clear. She has a no nonsense mind set and is eager to learn new programs if it’s needed for the project. With her, ‘no’ is not an answer! I would really recommend working with her.

    Use/space, Content

    Mare

  • I have worked together with Syl on many occasions. She developed all of the branding assets of my company, De Marketing Menukaart. Because the collaboration was so smooth and efficient, we decided to do more projects together. One thing led to another and now we are working together on a regular basis. Couldn't be more happy with our collaboration.

    De Marketing Menukaart, Branding

    Willem

  • Working with Syl was a creative and collaborative experience. She always came up with multiple strong design options, making it hard to choose. From cover to infographics, her work added clarity, beauty, and emotion to the story I wanted to tell.

    Sporen van Wekerom, Publications

    Wim Hol

  • I highly recommend working with Syl. She’s been involved in several of our projects, consistently delivering beautiful and well-thought-out designs. Her creativity, attention to detail, and commitment really stand out. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with her, and I’d gladly work with her again!

    AI-OOM, Branding

    Thomas

  • Syl took full ownership of the design process—from layouts and illustrations to dealing with the printer and creating promotional materials. She brought structure, calm, and quality to a complex project. I’m proud of what we made together.

    Sporen van Wekerom, Publications

    Wim Hol

  • Syl responded quickly, delivered exactly as agreed, and always followed up when needed, which I really appreciated. Staying visible to the client is important, and you did that well. Keep doing what you’re doing!

    De Best Value-aanpak, Content

    Nieske

About me

Clear. Creative. Reliable.

I’m Syl Santema, an all-round graphic designer based in Amsterdam. My work is where creativity meets structure; developing clear, functional designs that make ideas tangible.

I’ve spent the last few years freelancing on projects ranging from visual identities to editorial design and digital campaigns. My background in Industrial Design Engineering and my master’s in Design Cultures give me a unique perspective: I think strategically and deliver with precision.

Now, I’m looking to join a creative agency where I can collaborate, grow, and contribute to meaningful, impactful projects. I work best in the middle of the creative process; taking ideas further, refining them, and turning them into strong, functional designs.

Hard skills

Typography & layout • Identity systems • Print production • Digital content creation • Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Lightroom, XD) • Figma • Framer • Wacom tablet • Midjourney • Microsoft Office • WordPress

Soft skills

Structured & independent • Detail-oriented • Communicative (NL/EN) • Team player • Proactive • Problem-solver • Fast learner • Process-driven • Open to critique • Collaborative mindset • Calm under pressure • Deadline-focused

Contact

Let’s work together.

Want to know more about how I work? Feel free to get in touch.

+31 6 29303794

sylsantema@gmail.com

Based in Amsterdam

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