Artist Statement, Design Philosophy, Purpose of Work:
Design solves problems. Design tells a story. I became a designer because I am a storyteller and a problem solver. Whether through digital or traditional channels, I am always striving to tell a story in the simplest and easiest way possible. The medium or media matters not, only the story that is being serviced. Maximum minimalism leads to an ideal user experience.
Websites, Apps, Web Experiences, Digital Engagements, Interactive Experiences, etc.
"The web's strength lies precisely in its unique position as the world's first universal platform."
— Jeffery Zeldman
Wireframes, Prototypes, Design Patterns, Workflows, Experience Mapping, etc.
"[The design process] is about designing and prototyping and making. When you separate those, I think the final result suffers."
— Jonathan Ive
Book Covers, Posters, Silkscreens, Children's Books, Magazine Profiles, etc.
"Some people have been kind enough to call me a fine artist. I've always called myself an illustrator. I'm not sure what the difference is. All I know is that whatever type of work I do, I try to give it my very best. Art has been my life."
—Norman Rockwell
Ads, Posters, Infographics, Flyers, Books, Comics, etc.
"To design is much more than simply to assemble, to order, or even to edit: it is to add value and meaning, to illuminate, to simplify, to clarify, to modify, to dignify, to dramatize, to persuade, and perhaps even to amuse. To design is to transform prose into poetry."
—Paul Rand
Corporate Branding, Campaigns, Identity Work, Package Design, Brochures, etc.
"As a brand marketer, I'm a big believer in 'branding the customer experience,' not just selling the service."
— John Sculley
Book Layouts, Magazine Design, Comics, Print Design and Production, etc.
"I often get asked, 'Is the book dead?' It hasn't happened yet... But books started out as things. Words on paper began as words on paper. The paperback book is the best technology to deliver that information to you."
— Chip Kidd
Company Logos, Title Designs, Product Logos, Badges, etc.
"Failure is built into creativity… the creative act involves this element of ‘newness’ and ‘experimentalism,’ then one must expect and accept the possibility of failure."
— Saul Bass
Screenplays, Features, Pilots, Spec scripts, Short films, etc.
"The key is, if you're not monkeying around with the script, then everything usually goes pretty well."
— Steven Soderbergh
Sequential Storytelling, Graphic Novels, Cartoons, Storyboards, etc.
"To my mind, the most successful and the best comic book illustrators are those who translate the real world into a consistent code. If you look at Jack Kirby or Steve Ditko, their drawings look nothing like the real world, but they are internally consistent. In terms of a comic book it can work just fine."
— Dave Gibbons
Who am I? What do I do?
Carlos is a Creative Director, writer, illustrator, designer, cartoonist and producer who has worked for Scottrade, Charter Advertising, Orca.Digital, The Net Impact and Fanball, among others. His client list includes projects for NBC Sports, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Bausch & Lomb, and Nawgan Water. He is always up for new challenges and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking clients and individuals.
He is the creator of the graphic novels Pretentious Record Store Guy, SHORTS + LOSSES, and the writer of BLOOD ON THE TRACKS with co-creator and artist Brian Atkins. He was a finalist on DC Comics’ Zuda website with the submission Development Hell in 2007. In 2008 he started a drawing group with his friends that later became the artist collective Ink and Drink Comics. They have published over twenty comic book anthologies since 2010. ROANOKE, The Ideal and Outlaw: The Jesse James story with artist John King are his latest comic book works.
As a screenwriter, he was a Finalist in the Scriptapalooza Television Writing Competition 2021 with the SILICON VALLEY spec script - "I WANT YOUR UX," a Finalist in the Horror Underground Screenplay contest with the feature GALENTINE'S DAY, and a Semifinalist in the Titan Awards with his sci-fi comedy pilot SPACE CASE (co-written with Michael Brewer). He has placed seven scripts in the Second Round of the Austin Film Festival.
Carlos graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.F.A. in painting, drawing, and design. He tweets infrequently @los_gabriel and blogs on his Tumblr at carlosgabrielruiz.tumblr.com. He lives with his family in St. Louis, MO.
Who am I? What do I do?
Carlos is a Creative Director, writer, illustrator, designer, cartoonist and producer who has worked for Scottrade, Charter Advertising, Orca.Digital, The Net Impact and Fanball, among others. His client list includes projects for NBC Sports, Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Bausch & Lomb, and Nawgan Water. He is always up for new challenges and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with forward-thinking clients and individuals.
He is the creator of the graphic novels Pretentious Record Store Guy, SHORTS + LOSSES, and the writer of BLOOD ON THE TRACKS with co-creator and artist Brian Atkins. He was a finalist on DC Comics’ Zuda website with the submission Development Hell in 2007. In 2008 he started a drawing group with his friends that later became the artist collective Ink and Drink Comics. They have published over twenty comic book anthologies since 2010. ROANOKE, The Ideal and Outlaw: The Jesse James story with artist John King are his latest comic book works.
As a screenwriter, he was a Finalist in the Scriptapalooza Television Writing Competition 2021 with the SILICON VALLEY spec script - "I WANT YOUR UX," a Finalist in the Horror Underground Screenplay contest with the feature GALENTINE'S DAY, and a Semifinalist in the Titan Awards with his sci-fi comedy pilot SPACE CASE (co-written with Michael Brewer). He has placed seven scripts in the Second Round of the Austin Film Festival.
Carlos graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.F.A. in painting, drawing, and design. He tweets infrequently @los_gabriel and blogs on his Tumblr at carlosgabrielruiz.tumblr.com. He lives with his family in St. Louis, MO.
Books, Comics, Screenprints, T-Shirts and More Are Available for Purchase
"Cash Rules Everything Around Me — C.R.E.A.M. — Get the money! Dollar, dollar bills, ya'll"
— Wu-Tang Clan
Email Any Questions, Concerns, Well-Wishes or Work Requests Below
"I hate your answering machine."
— Paul Westerberg