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People
Christian Musuraca
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Why is an Economist and Restaurateur designing web pages? Because it took a few years for Christian Musuraca to find his true calling. Unlike most 20-somethings who don't know what they want to be when they "grow up," Christian was not idle during those years. Eager and inventive, Christian enthusiastically threw himself into many professions, most notably co-ownership of a restaurant with his parents. Most designers gather few business experiences before embarking on a career in design, and often it shows. Their graphics and layouts please the senses, but have very little to do with achieving business objectives. And getting them to understand deadlines and budgets—well, good luck. |
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Design Backed by Business Experience
Christian's design is distinctly different, because he approaches it with in-the-trenches business experience. Artistically talented, Christian's work is graphically exceptional, and always tied into your business objectives. Before he gets started he never fails to ask "what are you trying to achieve for your business?" And when he brings the creative back, he tells you exactly how his designs will help you achieve your goals.
A review of Christian's portfolio will show that not all of his work is "award winning," that's because he designed it with his clients' business needs in mind. Not his need to win a creative award. (Although he was very pleased winning that Addy for Wellamps CD.) On the other hand, his work is designed very well, creating strong, meaningful presence for his customers.
A Second Career in Design
Christian began this second career in design after returning to school at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh (he also has a bachelor's degree in Economics from University of California, Irvine). He then joined the Lighthouse Interactive team at Blattner Brunner, where he worked on both websites and CD-ROMs for clients such as PPG Industries and Westinghouse, Wellamps. He left Blattner Bunner to join New Perspective Interactive, a division of New Perspective Productions, a well-established video production house where he was a senior designer. At New Perspective Christian designed countless websites, CD-ROMs and Flash pieces for Federated Investors, Bayer Hennecke, Traco, Merillat Industries, and others.
For t he past 3 years, Christian was senior designer for FastForward, an innovative software company focused on the e-marketing automation industry. He led the design of the company's website as well as all print and other traditional media initiatives, such as FastForward's logo on the Penguin's center ice. Christian also enjoyed a thriving freelance practice with his wife, Raelin, before they both joined forces with 8 Sharp.
Interesting Note: In high school Christian was a dedicated baseball
player with ambitions of Major League Ball. Although Christian was destined
to hold a mouse—not a bat, the Freshman who carried his bag to and
from the games was destined to play in the Major Leagues. Today, Ryan
Klesko of the San Diego Padres visits with "moose" when he plays
ball in Pittsburgh.
