Hi there, I’m Heidy Fernández Castillo a.k.a. Coco Castillo.
I am a multidisciplinary Art Creative Director and Graphic Designer with skills in crafting campaigns, visual identities, exhibitions, as well as editorial products and web design.
For over 16 years I’ve had the opportunity to help artists, art projects and brands to create, evolve and grow their visual presence and legacy. I believe creative solutions can benefit everybody, from personal brands to large corporations.
My approach is both strategic and creative, drawing from research and experience. I believe good design exists when form and function go hand in hand. My multicultural background allows me to see and think creative solutions different.
I’m passionate about high quality design, thought out to the last detail and tailor-made, sometimes minimal, sometimes colorful and always with good typography.
My versatile experience allows me to see the big picture and to implement it in a wide range of tasks, along side with my multi-layered network of freelancers.
I work highly responsible and fair. I'll be by your side and won't let go until the last detail is perfect. I am agile and able to direct teams and can also produce lots of work hands-on.
I am based in Berlin and available internationally.
Work Experience
Freelancer. Havana, Europe & USA
2007 – current
Creative direction across cultures and continents.
For almost two decades, I’ve partnered with commercial brands, artists, producers, and cultural institutions to bring ideas to life — visually, strategically, and emotionally. My current focus lies in artisan brands and handcrafted products. I craft visual identities, campaigns, books, catalogues, websites, exhibitions, presentations, marketing materials, investor dossiers, trade fair stands, and more — always tailored, always intentional.
2007 – current
Creative direction across cultures and continents.
For almost two decades, I’ve partnered with commercial brands, artists, producers, and cultural institutions to bring ideas to life — visually, strategically, and emotionally. My current focus lies in artisan brands and handcrafted products. I craft visual identities, campaigns, books, catalogues, websites, exhibitions, presentations, marketing materials, investor dossiers, trade fair stands, and more — always tailored, always intentional.
Römer Wildberger, advertising agency. Berlin
2019 – 2022
Leading design with clarity and concept.
As senior art director and team lead, I guided the creative process for diverse brands such as B&B Hotels, Berliner Morgenpost, and BVG’s Project U5. From idea to execution, I developed integrated campaigns, brand activations, exhibitions, social content, trade fair stands, visual identities, websites, and product catalogues — delivering across print and digital channels with consistent brand storytelling.
2019 – 2022
Leading design with clarity and concept.
As senior art director and team lead, I guided the creative process for diverse brands such as B&B Hotels, Berliner Morgenpost, and BVG’s Project U5. From idea to execution, I developed integrated campaigns, brand activations, exhibitions, social content, trade fair stands, visual identities, websites, and product catalogues — delivering across print and digital channels with consistent brand storytelling.
HeimatTBWA\, advertising agency. Berlin
2018
Big ideas with bold brands.
Within the Heimat-Drive team, I led key visual projects for Opel Automobile, including their 120th anniversary campaign and new model launches. I also contributed to brand storytelling for Flaconi. Projects ranged from campaign design to premium product catalogues and special editions — blending strategy and emotion in every layout.
2018
Big ideas with bold brands.
Within the Heimat-Drive team, I led key visual projects for Opel Automobile, including their 120th anniversary campaign and new model launches. I also contributed to brand storytelling for Flaconi. Projects ranged from campaign design to premium product catalogues and special editions — blending strategy and emotion in every layout.
Pretzlaw Communications, communication agency. Berlin
2017
Designing stories for people and purpose.
At Pretzlaw, I created branding, editorial design, campaigns and motion assets for clients such as Mittelhof, BVEO, GISA, and Berliner Sparkasse. From seasonal illustrated calendars to recruitment campaigns and event graphics, every piece combined message with emotion and impact.
2017
Designing stories for people and purpose.
At Pretzlaw, I created branding, editorial design, campaigns and motion assets for clients such as Mittelhof, BVEO, GISA, and Berliner Sparkasse. From seasonal illustrated calendars to recruitment campaigns and event graphics, every piece combined message with emotion and impact.
anschlaege.de, design studio. Berlin
2017
Where design meets culture.
Focused on branding and editorial work for cultural institutions such as Franckesche Stiftungen, Theater & Orchester Heidelberg, and Theater an der Parkaue. I helped shape their visual language across campaigns, books, exhibitions, and corporate materials — creating accessible, human-centered design for public audiences.
2017
Where design meets culture.
Focused on branding and editorial work for cultural institutions such as Franckesche Stiftungen, Theater & Orchester Heidelberg, and Theater an der Parkaue. I helped shape their visual language across campaigns, books, exhibitions, and corporate materials — creating accessible, human-centered design for public audiences.
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design. Halle, Germany
2016
Cross-cultural collaboration, from Germany to Havana.
Responsible for conceptualizing and producing key communication projects — including exhibitions in Cuba and Germany and the design of a Spanish-German dictionary for creative minds. A deep dive into cultural exchange through design.
2016
Cross-cultural collaboration, from Germany to Havana.
Responsible for conceptualizing and producing key communication projects — including exhibitions in Cuba and Germany and the design of a Spanish-German dictionary for creative minds. A deep dive into cultural exchange through design.
Artecubano Ediciones, art publishing house, Cuban National Art Council (CNAP). Havana
2008 – 2012
Art, identity, and national voice in design.
Led design and creative direction for a wide range of editorial and cultural projects — from magazines and catalogues to large-scale campaigns. Highlights include branding for the 10th and 11th Havana Biennials and award-winning exhibition stand designs. My work shaped the visual culture of Cuban art during a pivotal period.
2008 – 2012
Art, identity, and national voice in design.
Led design and creative direction for a wide range of editorial and cultural projects — from magazines and catalogues to large-scale campaigns. Highlights include branding for the 10th and 11th Havana Biennials and award-winning exhibition stand designs. My work shaped the visual culture of Cuban art during a pivotal period.
Studies
Master in Communication Design
2015
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design. Halle, Germany
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
2015
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design. Halle, Germany
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Degree in Information Design, ISDI
2008
Higher Institute of Design, Havana, Cuba
Five-year Licenciate program (equivalent to Bachelor with Honours)
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
2008
Higher Institute of Design, Havana, Cuba
Five-year Licenciate program (equivalent to Bachelor with Honours)
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Languages
Spanish – Native
English – Advanced (C2)
German – Advanced (C2)
Italian – Intermediate (B1)
English – Advanced (C2)
German – Advanced (C2)
Italian – Intermediate (B1)
Programs & Tools
Design: Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere…)
Digital: WordPress, Figma, Sketch
Collaboration: Asana, Slack, ClickUp, Trello, Zoom, MS Teams, Google Meet
Digital: WordPress, Figma, Sketch
Collaboration: Asana, Slack, ClickUp, Trello, Zoom, MS Teams, Google Meet
Creative Passions
Photography, handcrafts & illustration — tactile skills that bring depth to my design thinking and complement my work.
Remote Work Experience
2009 – current
Remote by nature, connected by design.
For over 15 years, I’ve collaborated remotely with teams and clients across the globe — long before it became the norm. From exhibitions at the Art and Architecture Biennales in Venice to cultural and commercial projects alongside my full-time roles, remote work has been an integral part of my practice.
In the past five years, I’ve continued to lead creative teams, manage international client relationships, and deliver high-impact work — fully remote, across time zones and disciplines. I thrive in flexible, digital-first setups, blending strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Fluent in digital tools,
I bring structure to remote collaboration and energy to every virtual room.
Remote by nature, connected by design.
For over 15 years, I’ve collaborated remotely with teams and clients across the globe — long before it became the norm. From exhibitions at the Art and Architecture Biennales in Venice to cultural and commercial projects alongside my full-time roles, remote work has been an integral part of my practice.
In the past five years, I’ve continued to lead creative teams, manage international client relationships, and deliver high-impact work — fully remote, across time zones and disciplines. I thrive in flexible, digital-first setups, blending strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Fluent in digital tools,
I bring structure to remote collaboration and energy to every virtual room.