Carlos Cruz, MFA
Carlos Cruz was appointed Chair of Graphic Design at Berkeley College. Mr. Cruz received a Masters of Fine Arts degree as a Distinguished Fellow in Studio Arts from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York, Purchase. He was a transfer student from Parsons School of Design in New York and OTIS Parsons in Los Angeles. Shortly after earning his BFA in New York, he ran his own art studio for 15 years: Cruz Productions in Brooklyn, New York. There, his paintings were acquired by Olsen Securities Corporation companies. At Cruz Productions, he also organized art gallery exhibitions, performance art productions, and art installations. For instance, Michigan State University commissioned and purchased one of his MSU Coliseum paintings, and Isabella Bank in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, recently purchased another one of his paintings. Seeing the value in painting, exhibiting and selling art has become one source from which his life has drawn purpose. In many ways, this evolutionary passage is demonstrated for him every day, through his professional work as an artist, designer, and college educator. Even as a web designer/consultant, his work as an artist has led him to seek the best business practices for each one of his clients. Currently, he is working on a book illustration, web and app development project.
As the Chair of Graphic Design, Mr. Cruz has been student focused. His goals and objectives are aligned with those of Berkeley College to help students succeed. He believes that Berkeley College is the best place to research, practice, and advance as a graphic designer. The goals of Mr. Cruz and Berkeley College’s Graphic Design department are to help each student achieve and become incubators of their own careers. As a Graphic Design professor, he truly believes that each student will need to attain an entrepreneurial path during his or her college experience. This is why the program focuses on maintaining up-to-date software. He works with students to utilize relevant skill-sets and expertise that the industry is looking for. He focuses on student portfolios and internships that help students create a designer toolkit of professional experience. Carlos Cruz sees graphic design students for who they will become: art directors, designers, inventors, business owners, and leaders in the industry.
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