New York based Cris Cordero is an award-winning Art Director hailing from Switzerland. Her passion and dedication to art has led her to working with some of the world’s largest international household brands and names. Having lived and worked in cosmopolitan areas such as London, Madrid, and Tel Aviv, Cris has her finger firmly on the pulse in the art world.
About Insider took no time into delving deep in on all things Cris Cordero!
HELLO, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! THANK YOU, CRIS CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OUR READERS WHAT YOU DO?
Yes, I am an art director, and have been fortunate to win a few awards along the way, such as the D&AD Pencil, which recognizes international excellence in design and advertising, the Graphic Award (awarded annually), which recognizes the highest achievements in worldwide creativity, and the Summit Creative and Creative Conscience Award, celebrate creative engagement in socially valuable projects.
I typically oversee the work of other designers and artists who produce images for television, film, live performances, advertisements, or video games. As such, I determine the overall style in which a message is communicated visually to its audience.
For each project, I articulate my vision to artists and, in collaboration with them, create campaigns, commercials, images, radio, or television spots, as well as paid social media content.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS WAS YOUR FUTURE?
I would say really early on I found I had a passion for creating and art. I loved creating short simple messages and creating my own posters for my room. My parents would throw these big elaborate parties and they asked me to design their invitations and it became a tradition. From there you could say the rest is history. I studied Advertising and Sociology at Boston University and worked closely with McCann Worldwide in New York as a significant contributor to the company. Following this, I ventured into Miami to deepen my understanding of creative expression and visual communication at Miami Ad School.
WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?
My ability to put together a winning team. As an art director, many focus on their own craft and often miss the opportunity to expand the project beyond the visual. Over the years, I have learned that creatives are much stronger if they work well together, so I specialized in finding and recruiting different creatives from all corners of the marketing and entertainment world to create the most impactful projects.
WHAT LANGUAGES DO YOU SPEAK?
I speak English, Spanish, German, and Swiss German.
WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WHEN PREPARING FOR A PROJECT?
Listen to your client and partners without judgment, think of the project’s possibilities without barriers, and communicate your abilities clearly.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK WITH HUNGER MAGAZINE.
Hunger is a biannual magazine from photographer, publisher and cultural provocateur, Rankin. Launched in November 2011, Hunger was born from Rankin’s desire to celebrate the innate drive that we all possess and that, with a bit of creativity, can be used as an impetus for cultural change. Today, the magazine is a staple in creative spaces all around the world.
WHAT WAS THE PROJECT YOU WORKED ON?
For Hunger Magazine, a team of incredible creatives came together and shot the 10 Year Anniversary issue focusing on three key voices in the trans community: Netflix star, Chella Man; long-time activist, Marquise Vilsón; and model, Casil McArthur. I was the director on this project and absolutely loved every minute of it because each of the personalities and creatives involved were such a force of their own. The final speaks for itself: A beautifully shot and written story of the realities, paths, and dreams of some of the most recognizable key players of the trans world today.
WHAT DID YOUR JOB INVOLVE?
My job started with the concept. The team and I knew we wanted to make a splash, while also bringing depth and genuineness to a topic that is still so controversial to many. I came up with the title He/Him and created the mood boards for three icons of trans masculinity. Alongside brilliant photo and videographers, stylists, and hair and makeup, we asked Netflix star, Chella Man; long-time activist, Marquise Vilsón; and model, Casil McArthur, to be the faces of the piece.
Once on set, my job was to oversee each part of the production from the talent’s arrival and set up, to makeup and styling, and to ensure the overall energy and positive drive on set. I directed the photography and videography as well as the selection of the images and the final say on layout of the story.
WHY THIS ARTICLE?
The article was a big deal not only because we chose such incredible and diverse talent, but because the story ran for the magazine’s 10-year anniversary issue. So, there was a lot of buzz around the publication and the fact that we mixed representatives from the trans community that spanned from pop-culture and Netflix to very well-known and very historically relevant grass-roots movements, to the glamorous and often mysterious world of high fashion modeling made to story a huge success and a once in a life-time opportunity to tell these stories.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL THOUGHTS TO ADD?
Yes, I’d love to add that being an Art Director is never just one thing (or being good at one thing alone), but more the combination of skills and the privilege one has to work with great people. I like to think of myself as someone with a strong understanding of what works visually and how to tell a story through images, colors, shapes, and overall design. But none of my ideas or concepts would be possible without the talent, support, and patience of every creative partner and collaborator I have ever had. I have learned and been given as much as I gave and in the most beautiful moments, this has led to the truly creatively impactful and relevant moments I have talked about here today. I am very grateful for every creative person I have had the privilege to work with.
WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT?
I am increasingly getting into the world of cinema and the visual language of motion pictures. There are countless opportunities there and I am excited to be diving into this rapidly changing world.
To find out more about Cris Cordero visit – www.criscordero.com