Available to hire
I am Gerardo Candanoza López, a creative leader with 20+ years of experience specializing in strategic visual storytelling, brand development, and innovative design solutions. I translate client objectives into compelling visuals across digital and traditional media, from campaigns to brand identities and executive presentations.
My work spans healthcare, life sciences, tech, and consumer brands, with a proven track record of partnering with clients and cross-functional teams to deliver meaningful, audience-centered work that elevates brand presence. I thrive in collaborative environments, balancing strategy, aesthetics, and production needs across projects.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Senior Art Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific
June 1, 2025 - October 13, 2025Designed creative concepts and visual storytelling across digital and print platforms; partnered with stakeholders to define marketing objectives and value propositions; directed production design teams to ensure quality and consistency; produced video content for proof of concepts and social media; designed executive presentations to showcase campaigns.
Freelance Art Director at Paradigm Outcomes (Aquent client)
February 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Designed and developed email templates and digital marketing assets to support campaign initiatives and enhance user engagement.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Bio-Rad (Client: Bio-Rad)
September 1, 2025 - October 13, 2025Partnered with creative leadership to provide visual direction for a global rebrand launch; developed brand guidelines and digital usage standards; standardized template systems; art directed trade shows and collateral self-service system.
Freelance Art Director at Captura Group
January 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Developed concepts for integrated marketing campaigns; created user experience strategies and led website redesigns; produced animated social media ads and storyboards.
Freelance Art Director at Creative Circle (Client: BD)
February 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Collaborated with brand teams to design rebranding campaigns; designed print collateral and digital marketing initiatives; aligned with client objectives and budgets.
Interactive Art Director at L7 Creative
September 1, 2017 - October 13, 2025Directed creative projects end-to-end; managed production designers to ensure brand consistency across digital and traditional media; developed website designs and applied UI/UX best practices; oversaw vendor deliverables.
Business Owner / Creative Director at Candanoza & Co. Design Studio
January 1, 2010 - October 13, 2025Developed ad campaigns and branding concepts; directed junior designers; managed budgets, timelines, and client relationships; oversaw audio/video productions and trade-show booths; coordinated with print production vendors.
Senior Graphic Designer at Krauss y Asociados Marketing Agency
April 1, 2007 - October 13, 2025Executed visual concepts for integrated campaigns; contributed as copywriter on core campaign ideas; directed photo, audio, and video productions.
Graphic Designer / Copywriter at Sociedad Creativa Agency
March 1, 2006 - October 13, 2025Implemented brand assets across campaigns; created original logo concepts; crafted scripts for TV and radio; directed photo/audio/video productions.
Internship / Junior Graphic Designer / Copywriter at Ideas Que Venden
May 1, 2004 - October 13, 2025Supported design and copywriting tasks for campaigns; assisted production and vendor coordination.
Creative / Marketing Coordinator at Plaza Juárez
March 1, 2011 - October 13, 2025Developed comprehensive branding for restaurant-bar concepts; designed interior decor, promo materials, and PoP displays; strategized media planning for radio; managed annual marketing calendar; directed art production.
Senior Art Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific
June 1, 2025 - October 13, 2025Designed creative concepts and visual storytelling across digital and print platforms, ensuring alignment with project briefs and corporate guidelines. Partnered with stakeholders to define marketing objectives and translate them into strategic visual content. Art directed and provided feedback to production design teams, fostering quality and consistency across campaign execution. Produced video content for proof of concepts and social media initiatives. Created executive-level presentations to showcase creative campaigns.
Freelance Art Director at Aquent (Client: Paradigm Outcomes)
February 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Designed and developed email templates and digital marketing assets to support campaign initiatives and enhance user engagement.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Aquent (Client: Bio-Rad)
September 30, 2025 - October 13, 2025Partnered with creative leadership to provide visual direction and market insights for a global rebrand launch. Developed comprehensive brand guidelines and digital usage standards for online assets and visuals. Standardized and designed template systems to streamline digital marketing materials. Art directed and produced trade show experiences and implemented a collateral self-service system to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Freelance Art Director at Captura Group
January 31, 2018 - October 13, 2025Partnered with cross-functional teams to develop innovative concepts for integrated marketing and creative campaigns. Developed user experience strategies and led website redesigns, ensuring alignment with web best practices. Created storyboards and produced animated social media ads to enhance brand engagement.
Freelance Art Director at Creative Circle (BD - Becton, Dickinson and Company)
February 28, 2018 - October 13, 2025Collaborated with client on brand strategy and marketing objectives to design rebranding campaigns, print collateral, and digital marketing initiatives.
Interactive Art Director at L7 Creative
September 30, 2017 - October 13, 2025Directed creative projects end-to-end, delivering on goals, budget, and deadlines. Art directed and managed production designers ensuring brand consistency across digital and traditional media. Led website designs, integrated digital marketing campaigns, and applied UI/UX best practices. Provided strategic insights on design and technology trends; oversaw vendor deliverables and file specifications; designed client presentations and coordinated production timelines.
Business Owner / Creative Director at Candanoza & Co. Design Studio
January 31, 2010 - October 13, 2025Developed creative concepts for ad campaigns and branding initiatives. Art directed and guided junior designers on brand assets and campaign executions. Managed key client relationships, budgets, and timelines. Directed audio and video productions and negotiated media plans with local broadcasters. Designed and executed trade-show booths and collaborated with the Creative Director to manage the design department.
Senior Graphic Designer at Krauss y Asociados Marketing Agency
April 30, 2007 - October 13, 2025Partnered with design teams to execute visual concepts and production for integrated campaigns. Created core campaign ideas as a copywriter, including themes, radio scripts, and TV storyboards. Directed photo, audio, and video productions.
Graphic Designer/Copywriter at Sociedad Creativa Agency
March 31, 2006 - October 13, 2025Applied brand assets across campaigns, developed print and digital collateral. Created original logo concepts and crafted scripts for television and radio, aligning messaging with brand voice and campaign goals. Directed video and audio productions and ensured brand consistency.
Internship/ Junior Graphic Designer/ Copywriter at Ideas Que Venden
May 31, 2004 - October 13, 2025Developed foundational branding work and supportive design assets during early career experiences.
Creative / Marketing Coordinator at Plaza Juárez
March 31, 2011 - October 13, 2025Developed comprehensive branding for a restaurant-bar, including interior design decor. Created promotional materials, PoP displays, and email campaigns for weekly events. Strategized media plans for radio ad placements, managed the annual marketing calendar for promotions and anniversaries, and oversaw print production and vendor relationships.
Senior Art Director at Thermo Fisher Scientific
June 1, 2025 - October 13, 2025Designed creative concepts, spearheaded brainstorming sessions and visual storytelling across digital and print platforms, ensuring alignment with project briefs, and corporate guidelines. Partnered with stakeholders to define marketing objectives and value propositions, translating them into strategic visual content. Art directed and provided feedback to production design teams, fostering quality and consistency across campaign execution. Produced video content for proof of concepts and social media initiatives. Designed executive-level presentations to showcase creative campaigns.
Freelance Art Director at Aquent | Client: Paradigm Outcomes
February 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Designed and developed email templates and digital marketing assets to support campaign initiatives and enhance user engagement.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Aquent | Client: Bio-Rad
September 1, 2025 - October 13, 2025Partnered with creative leadership team to provide visual direction and market insights for a global rebrand launch. Developed comprehensive brand guidelines and digital usage standards for online assets and visuals. Standardized and designed template systems to streamline digital marketing materials. Art directed and produced trade show experiences and implemented a collateral self-service system to improve accessibility and efficiency.
Freelance Art Director at Captura Group
January 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Partnered with cross-functional teams to develop innovative concepts for integrated marketing and creative campaigns. Developed user experience strategies and led website redesigns, ensuring alignment with web best practices. Created storyboards and produced animated social media ads to enhance brand engagement.
Freelance Art Director at Creative Circle | Client: BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)
February 1, 2018 - October 13, 2025Collaborated with client on brand strategy and marketing objectives to design rebranding campaigns, print collateral, and digital marketing initiatives.
Interactive Art Director at L7 Creative
September 1, 2017 - October 13, 2025Directed creative projects end-to-end, delivering on goals, budget, and deadlines. Art directed and managed production designers ensuring brand consistency across digital and traditional media for client campaigns and agency initiatives. Developed website designs, integrated digital marketing campaigns, applying UI/UX best practices. Provided strategic insights on design and technology trends. Oversaw vendor deliverables and file specifications. Designed client presentations, directed photo and video shoots, and coordinated production timelines. Created and implemented branding, web, social media, and campaign assets.
Business Owner / Creative Director at Candanoza & Co. Design Studio
January 1, 2010 - October 13, 2025Developed creative concepts for ad campaigns and branding initiatives for clients in the automotive, food service and construction industries. Art directed and guided junior designers on brand assets and campaign tactical executions. Nurtured key client relationships to drive retention and growth. Managed budgets and project timelines, optimizing efficiency and ROI. Directed audio and video productions, ensuring high-quality execution. Negotiated media plans with local broadcasters and print vendors. Designed and executed trade-show booths to enhance brand visibility. Collaborated closely with the Creative Director to manage the design department, overseeing the development of creative concepts while ensuring adherence to design best practices. Led the design and execution of trade-show booths and managed relationships with print production vendors to maintain quality and timelines.
Senior Graphic Designer at Krauss y Asociados Marketing Agency
April 1, 2007 - October 13, 2025Partnered with design teams to execute visual concepts and production for integrated campaigns. Created core campaign ideas as a copywriter, including themes, radio scripts, and TV storyboards. Directed photo, audio, and video productions.
Graphic Designer/Copywriter at Sociedad Creativa Agency
March 1, 2006 - October 13, 2025Applied brand assets across campaigns, developed print and digital collateral. Developed original logo concepts and crafted scripts for television and radio, aligning messaging with brand voice and campaign goals.
Internship/ Junior Graphic Designer/Copywriter at Ideas Que Venden
May 1, 2004 - October 13, 2025Developed foundational design and copywriting skills during internship; contributed to campaigns.
Creative /Marketing Coordinator at Plaza Juárez
March 1, 2011 - October 13, 2025Developed comprehensive branding for a restaurant-bar conglomerate, including interior design decor. Designed promotional materials, PoP displays, and email campaigns for weekly events. Strategized and coordinated media plans for radio ad placements, collaborating with local stations. Managed the annual marketing calendar for promotions and anniversary events. Provided art direction for production team. Oversaw print production and large-format vendor relationships, ensuring quality and brand consistency.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences Education at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences Education at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Sciences Education at Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, México
January 11, 2030 - October 13, 2025Qualifications
MiraCosta College Panelist – Carreras Sin Barreras (Career Panel)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024MiraCosta College Panelist – Careers in Media Arts and Technology (Coffee & Convos)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Cetys Universidad Guest Speaker, Marketing Conference 'Business Trends'
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Industry Experience
Healthcare, Life Sciences, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Education
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
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