DERRICK CRUZ

Creative Direction
Art & Design

I forge objects, brands, and experiences through craftsmanship and myth. Working across design, art and environments, I’m interested in how things acquire meaning—how objects become ritual, materials carry memory, and encounters become stories.

I founded Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons, OCCULTER, and Betroth to put these ideas into practice through editions, exhibitions and retail environments. Each involved making the work and the world around it: identity, imagery, packaging, space, and language. For me, these are all parts of the same work.

Alongside my independent practice, I lead creative at Joya – Modern Fragrance House, developing products and sensory experiences. I also taught creative practice and entrepreneurship at The New School for a decade, including supervising accessories thesis work at Parsons.

My work has been exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design and the Santa Monica Museum of Art, and featured in The New York Times, Artforum, GQ, W, Rolling Stone, and others.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Puerto Rico, I spent more than two decades in New York City. I now live in the Greater Philadelphia area and continue to work regularly in New York.

Occulter

Occulter

Founder • Creative Direction • Design • Collaboration

Monet & Venice

Creative Direction • Design • Collaboration

Black Beach

Black Beach

Art • Curation • Creative Direction • Collaboration

Fleshist — figure standing in water

Sound - FLESHIST

Music Composition • Sound Design • Performance • Art Direction

Man & Viper

Man & Viper

Design • Creative Direction • Collaboration

Oliphaunt

Oliphaunt

Art • Creative Direction • Leadership

A New Hive

A New Hive

Creative Direction • Art • Design • Curation

Eataly

Eataly

Creative Direction • Design

Betroth

Betroth

Founder • Creative Direction • Collaboration