About

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.

Presenting at IA Summit 2017

Social Profiles

Personality

ENFJ

Personality

Choleric - Melancholic

Temperament

3 (4 wing) - The Expert

Enneagram

Profiles

C/DS

DISC Profile

The Victor

Fascination Profile

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.

Paris

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.

Roman Painter
“There is, therefore, an ethic, even a “spirituality” of artistic service, which contributes in its way to the life and renewal of a people.”
John Paul II

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