craig martinez
full time professor
office
phone [916] 484-8857  email martinc@arc.losrios.edu

“American River College regards the arts as a very high priority and I am fortunate to work in such an environment."

Craig has been an award winning graphic designer and art director for over 25 years. He was partner in a small Sacramento, CA design firm from 1990 until 2003. In 2003 Craig split off from this successful partnership to start his own studio. This move allowed him to focus more of his energies towards art direction, message development and illustration. Craig’s skill set also includes: conceptualizing messages for internal company use and external company promotions, identity and branding, print collateral and web design. His work has been featured in Print Magazine and in Logo Lounge 4: 2000 International Identities by Leading Designers. He has also won several awards from the Sacramento Advertising Club. Some of his past clients include: Cal PERS, Yahoo! (Internet Film Festival), the California Administration of Courts, the Raley’s corporation, UCD Health Care System, The Animal Protection Institute, Heathcote Cellars (Australian Wine Makers), California Energy Commission and the B St. Theatre ( Tim and Buck Busfield). In 2006 Craig made the life changing decision to seek employment as a full-time graphics instructor. His desire to nurture young designers and aid college students in finding their true source of creativity became a ambition he could not ignore. Craig's own source of creativity revolves around painting, something that he strives to make a priority in his life. He has shown work (primarily painting & mono-prints) at many local galleries and plans on utilizing summer breaks to put his full energy into creating art. Showing work outside of California is his next goal.

“At the heart of my decision is a life long desire to work with others in some capacity that would empower people to change their lives, as well as allow me time to focus on my life long need to paint. This change of heart and mind occurred minutes after a meeting with my accountant. I suddenly became aware that self employment no longer held the priority (appeal?) it once did. This caused me to sit down and think about the other promises I had made to myself...teaching seemed like the option which made the most sense”

gallery section coming soon