DERRICK CRUZ

Strategic Advisor · Creative Director · Artist

I forge objects, brands and experiences. Across design, art and business, I’m interested in how creativity culls meaning from the disparate – threshing serviceable tools from connection and interpretation.

My practice moves between strategy and making. I work with founders and organizations to identify opportunities, challenge assumptions and bring meaningful ideas into the world.

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

I previously led creative at Joya Fragrance House, developing its identity, products, sensory experiences and directing film and narrative content. 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. I have received several international awards for art, fashion and design.

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’s painted glass-door logo and store interior

Occulter

Founder • Creative Direction • Design • Collaboration

Hemingway

Hemingway

Creative Direction • Design • Production

Oliphaunt edition transparency held in hand

Oliphaunt

Art • Creative Direction • Leadership

Eataly

Eataly

Creative Direction • Design

A New Hive

A New Hive

Creative Direction • Art • Design • Curation

Fleshist — figure standing in water

FLESHIST

Music Composition • Sound Design • Performance • Art Direction

Man & Viper

Man & Viper

Design • Creative Direction • Collaboration

Unearthed

Unearthed

Design • Production • Commission

Lori

Lori

Design • Production • Commission

Min

Min

Design • Production • Commission

Milá

Milá

Design • Production • Commission