RICK CRUZ

Creative Direction + Design

ENRIQUE "RICK" CRUZ

Progressive. Imaginative. Engaging. Such traits describe not just Rick’s work but Rick himself.

A designer with the ability to conceptualize distinctive ideas across all media.

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PROGRESSIVE

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IMAGINATIVE

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ENGAGING

SKILLS

Adobe InDesign
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Adobe Photoshop
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Adobe Illustrator
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Acrobat pro
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Adobe Dreamweaver
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Premiere Pro
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After Effects
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Final Cut Pro
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PORTFOLIO

ABOUT

Enrique Cruz, jr. (known to all as Rick) brings a seasoned vet in the design industry who is currently using his creativity to bring ideas to life with a unique vision. His training at the Art Institute of Chicago provided a solid foundation for conceptual and visual work, while his life and work experiences have driven him to push boundaries in all media. Rick has brought artistry and confidence to his projects, pleasing employers, co-workers and clients in the process. He mentors young designers and sets the bar for expecting nothing more than striking visual content. In addition to the work products listed on his resume, Rick has been instrumental in several high-profile Hispanic media advertising campaigns. He also provided critical design support for the GLC-produced documentary "Setting Sail," which won an Emmy Award for best documentary.

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Vision

I see design as an art and a driver of customer delight. I'm the catalyst that mixes ideas, pushes concepts and finds the best way to energize brands through sophisticated visual design.

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Strategic

I think like a business owner and identify opportunities to grow the business, the brand, whether indirectly or directly related to design.

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Hands-On

I enjoy rolling up my sleeves and getting into the nitty gritty of design, yet my goal is ultimately to be a 'thought-leader' and provide more than ideas but inspiration.

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Ambitious

I'm always looking for opportunities and aren’t afraid to take risks for the sake of making things better.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Senior Art Director
GLC Custom Media
1997 to Present

Rick leads GLC’s design team to develop digital publications. When he's not designing and art directing award winning publications he manages stock photography vendors and libraries, assist with new business and marketing initiatives, mentors the firm’s junior design staff, and steps in as GLC’s interim creative director when the actual creative director must step out. Clients have included General Motors, DuPont, PBS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Advocate Health, The University of Michigan Health, United Stationers, University of Connecticut Hospital, Florida Hospital, Rush University, United Health Care, The Conference Board, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation and more.

Graphic Designer
The San Jose Group
1994 to 1997

Rick consistently brought a sophisticated eye to various consulting and designing services at this hispanic media advertising agency. What’s more, he maintained an unwavering work ethic that every client’s unique communications needs deserve, equally unique design solutions. Such clients have included Budweiser, Pepsi, Quaker, Nestle, American Cancer Society and More.

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EDUCATION

B.F.A. in Visual Communication
School of the Art Institue of Chicago

HONORS & AWARDS

2009 Apex Award

2009 Pearl Award
Officeline Magazine | United Stationers
Best Redesign, Magazine

2010 Apex Award

2010 Excel Award
The Conference Board Review | The Conference Board
Gold for Design Excellence

2012 Folio Award
The Conference Board Review | The Conference Board
Best Overall Design, Association/Non-Profit

2012 Pearl Award
Momentum | The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Most Improved Publication

2013 Hermes Creative Awards
The Conference Board Review | The Conference Board
Best Design/Publication Overall

2013 EXCEL Awards
The Conference Board Review | The Conference Board
Design Excellence

2014 Hermes Creative Awards
Officeline Magazine | United Stationers
Gold Winner: Publications/Magazines

2014 Folio: Ozzie Awards
The Conference Board Review | The Conference Board
Feature Design: "We Are All Chief Risk Officers Now" Spring 2014

2014 Folio: Ozzie Awards
Trajectory Magazine/United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation
App (Magazine Replica)

2016 Hermes Creative Awards
Momentum Magazine | The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
App

2016 Apex Award
The Source | HealthTrust
Best Redesign

2016 Hermes Creative Awards
The Actuary | Society of Actuaries
Platinum: Annual Report
Platinum: Design-Publication Overall

2017 FOLIO: Ozzie Award
The Actuary | Society of Actuaries
Overall Design Excellence

2018 FOLIO: Ozzie Award
The Actuary | Society of Actuaries
Overall Design Excellence

2018 Association Trends Awards
Momentum Magazine | The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Gold Award-Media Kit

2019 Excel Awards
The Actuary | Society of Actuaries
General Excellence

2019 Excel Awards
The Actuarial Foundation
Promotional Content

2020 Excel Awards
The Actuary | Society of Actuaries
Overall Design Excellence

2020 Pearl Awards
The Source Magazine | HealthTrust
Best Cover category

2021 Hermès Creative Award
The Actuarial Foundation
Electronic Media / Social Media / Interactive Media

2022 Healthcare Advertising Awards
The Source Magazine | HealthTrust
Publication / External

RECOMMENDATIONS

"Rick is a tremendously talented art director. His sense of style and meticulous attention to detail makes every project sing, while his thoughtful, intutive approach makes working together easy–not to mention fun. I always know I can depend on Rick to create something beautiful."

Jennifer Day
Editor, University of Michigan Cancer Center

"It was a pleasure to work with Rick on the design and direction of TCB Review—he's hardworking, conscientious, and unfailingly genial, and the magazine's design awards are testament to his talent. Very much hoping for future opportunities to work together!"

Matthew Budman
Editor, writer, content manager

"Rick offers perspectives in the form of art, illustrations and graphics that, combined with the text, help to tell the story in a unique way. I always look forward to what Rick comes up with. He takes a real interest in the stories and how to tell them artistically and effectively. Rick has great sense of humor and he’s fun to work with. In the more than six years we’ve worked together, my respect and admiration for Rick has only grown."

Jane Hoback
National Multiple Sclerosis Society

"With his great eye and video development skills, we have been able to provide high-quality video content for our members. Both the magazine and the video series have won awards for their high quality and content. I enjoy collaborating and brainstorming with Rick as we decide how to create an intriguing and award-winning magazine. Rick is easy to work with as he is always open to new concepts and ideas.”

Erin Pierce
The Society of Actuaries