ANA GERARDINO
Sr. Art Director
Born in Santo Domingo DR., Ana Gerardino’s passion for art was evident at an early age. When she was 12, Ana enrolled in the Fine Art School, Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes. During this time, it was clear that she would follow her father's creative pursuits as she developed a high interest in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. Shortly after High School, Ana partnered with a friend and established a freelance studio, while continuing her studies. In 1996, Ana graduated with a Communication Design Degree from Altos de Chavón, an affiliate of the N.Y. Parsons School of Design.
In 2000, looking to expand her career, Ana moved to Canada. As an entrepreneur she founded AG Graphic Design, a boutique design company in Ontario serving clients in the GTA, where she work as the
Art Director and Creative with a team of professionals. She is also the co-founder and partner of TwelveWays, a multifunctional dress for traveling.
Influenced by her Caribbean roots, Ana uses strong colours and shapes.
Her diverse background enhances her outlook greatly and gives her the ability to produce superb layouts and paintings. She says, ‘‘Work hard for what you believe and you'll never be overlooked".
VIRGINIA READ LA PAIX
Graphic Designer
Born In the Dominican Republic, Virginia had a passion for the arts at an early age. In 1995 she enrol in the prestigious UNPHU University, Graphic Design program. After completing her course, she landed her first job at BBDO PAGES and quickly started working as a Jr. Designer for brands like Pepsi & Co, Frito-Lay, Seven-Up, Bermudez & Co. along other corporate international brands. After 4 years she moved to N.Y. city to expand her professional life, while in N.Y.
Using her background experience Virginia started working remotely with her long time friend Ana at AG graphic design a Canadian agency dedicated to serve worldwide recognized brands acting as account and project manager for the corporation.
ANNA CONDOTTA
Sr. Graphic Designer
Anna was always interested in Art from a very early age. Commencing with Illustration for two years, she then graduated with top honours from Sheridan College in a three year Graphic Design Program, receiving a Loomis & Toles Bursary and the Heinz Jordan Paper Award. Shortly after graduating Anna formed her own company, Condotti Design. As a freelancer she also continued working on award winning publications for many types of companies such as Commercial Real Estate Corporations, Financial Institutions, Breweries, Charities, Insurance Companies, Event Management Companies, Educational Institutions and Marketing Companies. Anna has over 20 years of experience in Graphic Design, specializing in Brand Identity/Logos, Brochures, Publications, Signage/POP, Retail, Cd’s/Special Packaging, Media Kits, Recipe Books, Invitations, & Proposals, including the redesigning of a large publication, Food & Drink for LCBO. Anna’s background is Italian and she has a passion for typography, colour and texture.
“Great design is the combination of passion and clarity.” — DREW DAVIES
ALEXANDER ARVELO MCQUAIG
Junior Designer/ Copywriter
Alexander was born in Toronto to Dominican parents. As a child growing up in the suburbs of Toronto, people would often comment on his drawing ability. Despite having taken many art courses throughout high school, he got a Bachelor of Art in English and Philosophy from the University of Toronto. More recently, however, upon realizing he ultimately wants to work in a visually-oriented field, he’s been undergoing the graphic design program at George Brown College in Toronto, from which he will graduate in 2015.
During his extensive time in school, he’s been very prolific in all manner of design objects, largely small self-publications (including over fifty zines which he completely designed and co-wrote, comics, and numerous album covers for his own music). In his love of urbanism and Toronto, he has also made eighteen maps of Torontonian neighbourhoods and six maps of the city’s former municipalities which have been sold by the Spacing store since 2013. His maps were also featured in an art show on Toronto-oriented art in 2014, and one of them was licensed to be used in the interior design of a condominium.
He has also contributed freelance graphic design work to TTC Riders, a public transit advocacy group, since 2013—designing numerous flyers and posters to raise awareness of their efforts—and has just completed an internship with Green Living Enterprises, an environmentally-oriented graphic design and marketing company, and has since proceeded to work with them as a freelancer.