Cristóbal Almanza
Quick Bio:
Latino artist and designer with a passion for human-centered design. Daylight as a design strategist and leader. I also a freelance painter part-time.
Seeking to improve the lives of others through beauty, function, and education.
My Profession
Currently:
Experience Director and an international digital consulting agency.
Previously
User Experience Manager, Information Architect, and Digital Creative Manager
Visit my LinkedIn Profile for a more complete history.
All content in my blog and site is my opinion and does not reflect the views of my employers, clients, or partners.
Artist Statement
I desire to communicate the immaterial and spiritual essence of life.
My art highlights the tension in the relationship between beauty and truth. My subjects feature the material body in transcendental themes with Latino vibrancy. I pay tribute to my Mexican Catholic heritage and the Texan Culture that formed me.
Social Profiles
Personality
Profiles
Design Thinking Philosophy
I practice Design thinking to test hypotheses and measure outcomes like the scientific method of business. I believe applying Human Centered Design improves real people’s lives, and that multi-disciplinary teams create more creative and effective solutions through design facilitation. A good design process provides clarity to generate solid strategic direction for any project. Good design solves real problems and keeps evolving until it does.
My Process
1. Understand the Issues
2. Identify Possible Solutions
3. Execute the Best Ideas
4. Iterate With Feedback and Data
Interests
Culture, Podcasts, Music, Concerts, Dancing, Theology, Languages, Running, Mixed-Martial Arts, Astronomy, Architecture, Travel, Philosophy, History, Wine, Good Conversation, and Art.
Previous Volunteer Roles
Meal Driver for Meals on Wheels of Central Texas. President, Co-Founder of ATX Catholic (formerly Austin Catholic New Media), Youth Ministry Coordinator and Catechist. Also previously Communications Coordinator for ministries and formerly a Pastoral Council Member at St William Catholic Church
In Depth
Biography
I have lived in the Austin, Texas area since 2009, and I grew up in a small country town called Muleshoe located in the Texas panhandle. I’m a first-generation Mexican-American and a proud, native Texan. My family is from Zacatecas, Mexico.
Early Studio (2007)
I have been a freelance designer and artist since 2005 selling paintings and prints of my works. I also coordinated retreats and speaking at parishes, private schools, and other religious organizations since 2003. I also grew up knowing the meaning of hard work on a farm.
2006
Specialties
I do only limited graphic design projects today and specialize in User Experience design and Strategy.
Traditional art is also one of my passions. I primarily do oil painting and drawing. Design is my visual organization, and creating art is my visual expression.
Education
I graduated with a degree in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of Colorado, and I also attended St Mary’s University in San Antonio and John Cabot University in Rome studying Theology and Fine Art.
Inspiration
I love approaching life as a student, and I am a seeker of Truth. I seek to find love in all there is in this life. I find freedom in not knowing everything and promote curiosity as a lens for the life.
My faith as a Christian (Roman Catholic) and my culture as a Latino are an integral part of who I am as a person and an artist. They are the greatest sources of inspiration for my work.
