GDUSA starts each year by choosing a group of People To Watch who embody the spirit of the creative community.
This includes all individuals they have come to know and respect for a combination of talent, leadership, success, newsworthiness and community service. In a field so deep in talent and broad in numbers, this is clearly a subjective process. Still, for five decades, it has seemed to work out pretty well: the roster of past participants is star-studded, to say the least. The 2018 group adds to the luster.
Chris Martiníe
SENIOR DESIGNER, L+R, BROOKLYN NY
Chris has been the force behind L+R’s designs for the past two years. After focusing on packaging and brand design in Los Angeles, he made the move to join L+R’s team in Brooklyn where he has translated his understanding of the analog to the digital product world. Chris believes his background in print brings a more expressive vantage point to the digital branding he executes. He is the first to recognize his deficit in the attention department, and he believes his shifting attention is what gives him to opportunity to constantly try new things. On a never ending path to having “no style,” even as a kid he knew it was time to change things up whenever anyone was able to define him or his work. This is the mindset he brings L+R’s team, helping clients like Amazon, Disney, Google, GE, and Global Citizen stand out, and merging his favorite designer Saul Bass’ motto “I want to make beautiful things” with functionality and the needs of the audience.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Born and raised in the Bay Area and am now living in NYC
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
Nope, but I was surrounded by small group of great talent at CSUN’s art department
LEFTY OR RIGHTY?
Righty
MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL?
Forever a night owl
FICTIONAL OR HISTORICAL CHARACTER YOU IDENTIFY WITH?
Spock [vulcan hand emoji]
ARE YOU MUSICAL AND/OR DO YOU PLAY AN INSTRUMENT?
Yes-ish, I played the guitar for 9 years or so and then one day just stopped
FAVORITE BOOK?
1984 began a long history of distrusting the authorities
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Too many. I will say that heist/suspense movies really do it for me though
FAVORITE TV BINGE WATCH?
Stranger Things
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM?
Dribbble … it’s easy
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Salvador Dali
FAVORITE CHARITY?
HOPE worldwide
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Getting outdoors. In the past it’s been hiking/ bouldering, nature has always helped center me. Being in New York has been a challenge in that area. But second to that is good food with good friends, which New York is perfect for.
COLLECT ANYTHING?
I’m the opposite of a collector. My dad is a collector so in reaction I enjoy throwing things away instead.
COLOR USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
I’ve been told it’s yellow
TYPEFACE USED MOST OFTEN IN YOUR DESIGN?
I go through phases but…when in doubt, DIN
DOES PRINT HAVE A ROLE IN YOUR DESIGNS?
Not as often anymore, since making the move to a digital agency. But occasionally we do work with print for internal projects or for larger scale branding projects.
DESIGN MENTOR/INSPIRATION/HERO?
Not really. I’m constantly inspired by different people, the worlds a big place
GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Planning out a project so large in my head and having to fight the accompanying feelings of paralysis
ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
Surround yourself with people who share your passion and push each other to be better. Encourage each other; advise each other; compete with each other; etc. The right environment is so important.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
Architect
A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power
