Michael Gonzalez
Michael graduated from Southwest Texas State with a degree in communication design. His work has been featured in several publications and design competitions from the time he started school up until his present day professional career. A few of his professional achievements include features in Marketing y Medios Latino Advertising Magazine, Print Magazine, Graphic Design USA, Logo Lounge vol. 4, Houston Art Directors Club and the Telly Awards. After 8 years of working in the creative arena, Michael ventured off to start his own studio, El Creative, with the help of his compadres Robert Zepeda and Brian Keith. Having worked with such power house brands as Nissan, Blockbuster, Corona, Toyota and Qwest Communications, just to name a few, Michael has shown himself effective at creating successful, award-winning creative work.
Robert Zepeda, Jr
Robert, originally from San Antonio, home of the four-time NBA Champions Spurs, graduated from Texas A&M University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Environmental Design. After a few years in the Architecture field, Robert’s passion turned to the field of Graphic Arts and Design. He returned to school at Southwest Texas State University in 2001 to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design in 2003. After graduating from Southwest, Robert returned back home to work at the design firm, Giles Design, Inc. It was here that he learned the business and art of design, working with clients like Frost Bank, Esconidido and the San Antonio Library Association. From here, Robert moved on to a freelancing career. Then in fall of 2005, Robert moved to Dallas to help start up El Creative with his friend Michael Gonzalez. Robert’s design achievements include the Houston Art Directors Club, the Telly Awards, the San Antonio Addys and Marketing y Medios Latino Advertising Magazine. Robert’s inspiration in design comes from his love of Rock Music Album Cover Designs, and from the work of designers and architects such as Storm Thorgerson, Aubrey Powell, Frank Lloyd Wright, & Antoni Gaudi.
Brian Keith
Brian is a true graphic designer whose philosophy is rooted in the rich history of his field. His designs are based on ideas and concepts, and he has an ongoing quest for knowledge, especially when it comes to design and art. Brian graduated in May of 2000 from the University of North Texas with a degree in graphic design and a minor in advertising. His first job was with Square One, where he had the chance to learn some great illustration techniques, plus get all the free beer and foosball he could handle. After two years, Brian moved on and freelanced at several agencies in the Dallas area while looking for a full time position. He decided that a small design firm was the way to go so he hired on with Zahra Design Group, where for three years he learned how to get things done on time and with some serious finesse. This is also when Brian joined the board of the Dallas Society of Visual Communications, and started hanging with some of the most talented graphic designers in Dallas. In March of 2006, he partnered up with a few of those talented people and helped open El Creative.
Derek Weathersbee
Derek, originally from Amarillo, graduated from TCU in the Spring of 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. Derek is a fresh, yet ever-more-fierce design apprentice who makes up for his relatively sparse professional ring experience with a passion for visual communication, an eagerness to learn, and a tireless work ethic. Thanks to his awesome El Creative team members, he has already had the chance to work with a wide variety of well-known and highly respectable organizations, such as Wingstop, Data Systems Worldwide, and the City of Dallas. His work has been recognized by the Dallas Society of Visual Communications Annual Student Show, the Houston Art Director’s Club, and numerous on-campus design competitions. Derek is inspired by the work of design heroes such as Paul Rand, Bradbury Thompson, Charles S. Anderson, and Neville Brody. He approaches each project with the mentality that it can and should be a powerful, provocative piece of graphic design. Derek carries with him all the baggage of a true designer, such as a preoccupation with letterforms, a well-rounded sense of humor, a relentless pursuit of knowledge, and the conviction that his work will shape the future of our visual culture.