Biography/Work Experience

I was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. I developed a curiosity for art and design at an early age. While attending high school, my best friend and I decided to learn more about our passion by enrolling in our first commercial art class—our motivation was that the teacher was hot. I entered my first competition for art and design and took 2 first place ribbons. After serving in the US Army, I attended San Antonio College and earned two Associate’s degrees. I garnered awards artistically and academically from SAC and external competitions. I then transferred to Texas State University where I earned several more design awards and graduated with my BFA in Communication Design. I have designed for several national and local brands. My work has been published in the 2007 Graphis New Talent Annual and continues garnering awards and recognition from top competitions such as Art Director’s Club of Houston, Dallas Society of Visual Communications, and AdFed. My wife and I ran a small studio, Chimaera Design. In 2010 through early 2011, I co-founded the AIGA San Antonio chapter and served as the first Vice President and its second President (interim). I was part of a collaborative design group called Visual Pulp. I went back to school to earn my MFA in Communication Design. I taught design to eager students for 5 years and now am serving the country as a design supervisor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Philosophy on Work

Designers who understand design, interactive coding, user interface, and user experience will be better prepared for tomorrow’s top positions. This practice will require working in collaboration with persons trained and working in other fields, like science and engineering. Someone who can think on their feet, and execute projects with skill and precision will be highly sought-after. This shift in focus needs to be addressed by higher education.

Professional Specialties

Award-winning graphic designer experienced with corporate identity through logos, packaging, print collateral, advertising, book design, and Experience (UX/UI/CX) design. Special emphasis on conceptual design and communication goals, high attention to detail, and design thinking to strategize targeted communications. Comfortable with project management and business development.

Graphis Appearances

Poster Annual 2021 Advertising Annual 2018 Design Annual 2018 Poster Annual 2018 Logo 9 Design Annual 2016 New Talent 2007

Awards

ADC Houston AdFed AIGA American Chemical Society Green Chemistry and Engineering Business Plan Competition (team effort) Creative Summit DSVC Rice Business Plan Competition (team effort) TypeCon

Graphis Awards

1 Gold 2 Silver 4 Merit

Proudest Achievements

Pet Adoptions

Featured In:

Articles

https://ideas.ted.com/gallery-posters-that-will-make-you-want-to-go-vote/

Articles

https://www.nps.gov/gett/learn/news/us-military-veteran-cesar-rivera-will-be-the-july-august-2017-artist-in-residence.htm

Education

MFA Communication Design BFA Communication Design AAS Graphic Design AA Art

Clients

Corporate Government Small Business and Individual

Affiliations

AIGA

Area of Expertise

Branding Book Design/Making Experience Design

Hobbies / Freetime

Making Stuff Working on My Car