This is me: A passionate educator, an image-maker, a stand-up paddle boarder with a love of the ocean and the environment that drives my teaching, service, creative and research activities, a European native that landed in California the summer of 2012.
My main gig is teaching advertising creative at San Jose State University. I'm also an Adobe Education Leader, Adobe Master Teacher and Adobe Creative Campus Fellow. Innovative and creative forms of engagement inspire my classes. Creative and strategic thinking, ideation and pushing the boundaries of traditional communications form the backbone of my curricula where students solve real world problems in ways that enhance their employability in an ever competitive advertising world. Integrated solutions, advertising for good, user experience and engagement are key areas of interest that drive the tasks I set my students.
Originally a graphic fine artist, I continue my practice as an image-maker mainly working with photography and digital tools, if that makes sense. The images I capture are environmental and reflect the power of nature and create a sense of place through color, shape and pattern. My work reflectively explores the spaces I happen to be in - these usually tend to focus on the marine environment including coastal mountains and forests, but I also find myself wandering around desolate deserts and city streets on occasion.
Check out my other portfolio: https://johndelacruz.myportfolio.com/
