Passionate, hands-on, creative talent with managerial experience, skilled at developing integrated, strategy-driven print and digital campaigns.
Demonstrated ability to lead brand initiatives and deliver innovative design solutions, from concept, through production, to final delivery.
Adept at managing simultaneous tasks, communicating well under pressure, and delivering results in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
KEY FOCAL POINTS
Brand Vision & Identity
Craft a unique brand identity and develop dynamic design elements, including compelling logo, distinctive typography, cohesive color palette, and impactful messaging.
Rebranding & Evolution
Transform a brand while honoring its core identity, refining its positioning to stay competitive and relevant in the marketplace.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Work closely with internal stakeholders and agency teams to maintain brand consistency across all touchpoints.
Multi-Channel Marketing
Leverage data-driven insights, competitive analysis, and user research to optimize messaging and design strategies.
Interactive Media Campaigns
Enhance storytelling across digital channels with immersive content, including animation, motion graphics, and video.
Cardiovascular Research Foundation - CRF (March 2022 to Present)
Develop and execute innovative concepts, leading an in-house creative team to produce best-in-class print, digital, and out of home marketing materials for CRF business units and partners. Achieve measurable results through strategic planning and creative oversight, strict adherence to brand standards, and optimization of workflows and efficiencies to stimulate CRF’s growth.
Increase Audience Engagement: Enhance digital designs by leveraging dynamic motion graphics and animation to create eye-catching visuals that significantly boost user engagement and increase CTR across all platforms.
Strengthen Brand Consistency: Reinforce brand standards across all CRF entities and campaigns, ensuring cohesive messaging that aligns with the foundation’s core mission and resonates among diverse audiences.
Design for Immersive Environments: Transform interior and exterior event spaces with compelling, large-format physical installations, strategically placed high-impact, large-scale visual graphics, informative wayfinding and signage for eight annual cardiovascular medical conferences.
Improve User Experience: Develop interactive UX/UI strategies for websites, e-blasts, social media, and the CRF Events App, contributing to a quantifiable increase in user satisfaction ratings and repeat engagement.
Optimize Creative Operations: Collaborate and guide senior leadership to implement standardized processes (SOPs) and streamline interdepartmental workflows using PM software RedBooth and Monday.com.
Mentor and Lead High-Performance Team: Supervise Jr. Designer, Graphic Designer, and all outsourced creative talent, including photographers and videographers, fostering a collaborative, diverse and inclusive environment.
Enhance Team Development: Spearhead recruitment and training of new hires, monitor staff performance, conduct annual reviews and prioritize employee accountability.
Debra Lund
Director of Marketing, CRF
"Chris Rugen brought exceptional creative vision and leadership to CRF during our two years working together. He consistently translated complex requirements into effective visual solutions that met our objectives. What I value most about Chris is his ability to take feedback and improve his work without ego—keeping great concepts great while making internal clients happy. His mentorship has been instrumental in developing a cohesive team that produces high-quality work consistently. Chris would be a valuable asset to any organization seeking a collaborative Creative Director who delivers results."
Graphic Design Lead
Resorts World, New York City (March 2019 to March 2022)
Drove the creative development and managed production of all print, digital, social and interactive marketing for three of the branded entities operated by Genting Group America: Resorts World, New York City, Resorts World Catskills and Resorts World Bimini, Bahamas.
Crafted Targeted Messaging & Media Solutions: Worked directly with senior executives to deliver impactful marketing for each unique property.
Optimized E-Marketing Automation with Salesforce Migration: Modernized database management capabilities and implemented best practices.
Enhanced Email Marketing with Responsive Templates: Developed a library of mobile optimized templates and conducted A/B testing to boost CTR.
Elevated Patron Engagement: Reimagined end-to-end digital experiences to maximize user interaction and deliver impact.
Michael C. Savino Marketing Director, Resorts World NYC
"I tend to evaluate graphic designers based on 3 criteria: creativity, accuracy and speed. When Chris came on board at Resorts World Casino, we hit the "jackpot!" A take-charge leader always looking to do more, Chris set about making significant improvements to our robust direct mail and email campaigns, including creating responsive-design templates. Migrating to Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Chris was an invaluable resource for current best practices, while balancing time for our junior designers—keeping everyone on brand. I highly recommend Chris for his skills, passion and drive!"
Lead Art Director
WebMD (Nov. 2008 to Jan. 2018)
Led a creative team in development of interactive learning programs and digital marketing campaigns to promote major pharmaceutical brands across Medscape’s professional online community.
Delivered High-Impact Creative Solutions: Collaborated cross-functionally so design met brand-specific requirements, exceeded client expectations and outperformed metric markers.
Managed Resources to Optimize Team Efficiency & Output: Monitored daily workflow of three staff designers and one off-site freelancer.
Streamlined Processes to Accelerate Launch Timelines: Implemented strategies proven to maintain a near-100% on-time completion rate and boost revenue.
Mentored Talent & Led Performance Development Initiatives: Identified individual/team goals and provided professional pathways for growth.
"Chris was an asset to the company for his exceptional design capabilities and flexibility in meeting the needs of client deliverables. He has displayed a wealth of graphic design knowledge in creation of designs for a broad range of products which included HTML-based interactive programs, websites, emails, and print and digital advertisements. He also exhibited patience in keeping up with client demands while adhering to deadlines, most of the time with early delivery-keeping a project on track. His designs were spot on in what the client was seeking thereby making presentations much easier. Working with him was a pleasure and I give him my highest recommendation."
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
Graphic Communications Instructor
Hendriks Institute
Prepared early-adult students for workforce success through real-world design projects, presentation coaching, and constructive portfolio/resume critiques.
Course Development: Delivered practical lessons on design, color theory, typography, digital imaging/photography and print production.
Professional Development: Personalized instruction on how to apply industry-best tools and techniques.
COMPANY: Cardiovascular Research Foundation | Medical Conference (2025 – Present)
CHALLENGE: Reposition the organization’s flagship medical conference as a category-defining, future-focused experience—elevating its visual identity to reflect innovation, connection, and inspiration in cardiovascular care.
STRATEGY: Designed a cohesive, insight-led brand ecosystem that spans print, digital, social, and on-site environments—leveraging motion, storytelling, and immersive design to drive awareness, accelerate registration, and create a seamless, high-impact attendee journey before, during, and after the event.
COMPANY: Cardiovascular Research Foundation | Medical Conference (2025 – Present)
CHALLENGE: Establish a global brand identity for the organization’s medical conference in Boston—positioning it as a premier destination for pioneering data and comprehensive updates on heart failure therapies.
STRATEGY: Developed an integrated, multi-channel campaign spanning print, digital, and motion-led social—designed to drive registration, build anticipation, and transform the attendee experience into a cohesive, immersive brand journey.
COMPANY: Cardiovascular Research Foundation | Medical Conference (2025 – Present)
CHALLENGE: Elevate brand identity of the organization’s annual medical conference in New York City—repositioning it as a must-attend event at the forefront of education and training for interventional cardiologists.
STRATEGY: Activated an integrated, multi-channel campaign across print, digital, and social platforms—designed to increase registration, expand reach, and amplify the conference’s impact on patient outcomes.
COMPANY: Genting Group America | Resorts World | Casino Gaming & Hospitality (2020)
CHALLENGE: Deliver tailored, revenue-driving campaigns for Resorts World NYC, Resorts World Catskills, and Resorts World Bimini, Bahamas — increasing visitation and building long-term brand affinity across digital and on-site touch points.
STRATEGY: Established a unified brand architecture with bespoke activations for each property. Leverage distinct creative assets, marketing insights, on-property experiences, and targeted media plans to reflect each location’s audience, setting, and value proposition.
CHALLENGE: Capture the evolution of Nautica—where heritage meets momentum—through a fresh vision for the “Reimagined Heritage” collections.
STRATEGY: Amplified existing model photography with vibrant shapes, signature styles, and expressive patterns—transforming each campaign ad into striking, graphic statements of modern heritage that command attention.
AGENCY: Brooklyn PR | PUR | Water Filtration & Consumer Health (2009)
CHALLENGE: Bring greater visibility to PUR’s mission—using the momentum of the Kilimanjaro climb and key partnerships to raise awareness and reinforce a simple truth: Everyone Deserves Clean Water.
STRATEGY: Created visually striking, impactful on-site experiences and branded merchandise that connects audiences nationwide and encourages meaningful engagement beyond the events.
CHALLENGE: Align the cinematic depth of dramatic, high-contrast model portraiture with the high-fidelity precision of luxury jewelry, ensuring the product maintains brand prestige without compromising the sophisticated, high-fashion narrative.
STRATEGY: Deployed a unified desaturation and selective color-masking technique, fusing soft-focus lifestyle imagery with sharp product captures to create a "chromatic spotlight" that showcases exquisite craftsmanship within a seamless, premium environment."
CHALLENGE: Partner with 7th Inning Stretch and the MLB Players Association to design an elite graphic tee program—blending nostalgia with contemporary street style to celebrate the league's most iconic athletes.
STRATEGY: Tailored a dual-series creative rollout that bridges generations of fandom. Series I utilizes high-fidelity, photo-realistic assets framed within vintage-inspired card design to capture a "heritage" aesthetic. Series II pivots to a modern, high-contrast monochromatic system with heavy distressing and current-era card layout for a raw, urban edge. Both collections utilize an adaptive color theory, deploying specialized "Home" and "Away" palettes to ensure team-specific authenticity across retail outlets."
Company: Universal Testing + Inspection | Professional Services (2020)
CHALLENGE: Execute a total brand pivot for Universal—transforming a legacy construction firm into a modern industrial powerhouse. The goal was to command market attention by leveraging their trusted reputation and fusing it with cutting-edge technical resources.
STRATEGY: Architected a bold, new system of business development assets anchored by custom on-site photography to capture the scale of operations. We synthesized traditional authority with tech-forward innovation—including a new identity for the UTIS360 drone division—to create a dominant visual presence that redefines the company’s industry standing.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tools (2010)
CHALLENGE: Help consumers understand how Metamucil and its key ingredient Psyllium Fiber, supports digestive health—while introducing the new brand identity, “Be Beautiful on the Inside - One Small Change Can Lead To Good Things.”
STRATEGY: Created an interactive learning module and digital marketing campaign to inform users on how consistent, daily use of Metamucil can improve their gut health and empower them to feel better from the inside out.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tools (2014)
CHALLENGE: Empower men and woman with sensitive skin to feel confident in their choice by demonstrating how Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash with NutriumMoisture® gently nourishes and protects different skin types.
STRATEGY: Designed an interactive learning module and digital marketing campaign that educates users on Dove's unique formula, highlights its clinically benefits, and motivates trial through offering a free sample.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tools (2011)
CHALLENGE: Position Bausch + Lomb PureVision2 contact lenses as a clinically advanced solution by demonstrating how they support visual performance and meet the demands of modern everyday life, while reinforcing the “See better. Live better.” message.
STRATEGY: Developed an interactive learning module and digital marketing campaign to show how PureVision2 lenses deliver consistent visual clarity in real-world environments—highlighting the clinical benefits and helping consumers, of all ages, assess how these lenses support specific vision needs.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tool (2016)
CHALLENGE: Demonstrate how a 1.25 mcg bronchodilator provides a unique mechanistic approach to lung function, redefining long-term maintenance expectations for asthma patients aged 12 and older.
STRATEGY: Formalized a mobile-first, e-learning curriculum that guided clinicians through pivotal clinical-trial data, confirming the once-daily efficacy of this targeted treatment in stabilizing respiratory health for appropriate patient profiles.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tool (2016)
CHALLENGE: Spotlight a landmark shift in CV care by highlighting a therapeutic advancement that addresses the dual burden of established cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes to fundamentally improve patient survival.
STRATEGY: Instituted a mobile-first, e-learning experience that educated clinicians on the latest evidence-based indications, focusing on the tactical application of research to reduce the incidence of CV death in high-risk populations.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tool (2016)
CHALLENGE: Establish VASCEPA as a clinical breakthrough by highlighting its status as the first FDA-approved, EPA-only omega-3 capable of delivering significant triglyceride reduction without the drawback of elevated LDL-C levels.
STRATEGY: Pioneered a video-driven e-learning application that educated clinicians on the unique lipid-altering mechanics of pure EPA, enabling them to differentiate this refined therapeutic approach from conventional omega-3 mixtures.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tools (2011)
CHALLENGE: Introduce the COGNIS™ CRT-D as the new standard in cardiac resynchronization therapy, emphasizing how its ultra-thin profile and extended longevity represent the foundational innovation of the new CRV division.
STRATEGY: Constructed a dynamic, case-based digital curriculum that mentored healthcare professionals through real-world clinical scenarios, illustrating the practical benefits of the world’s thinnest device in improving patient comfort and long-term outcomes.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tools (2015)
CHALLENGE: Introduce a disruptive delivery technology that targets the back of the nose to bypass traditional barriers, emphasizing how “Reroute Migraine™” offers a direct physiological path for medication.
STRATEGY: Produced an interactive, video-led curriculum that contrasted the limitations of legacy delivery methods with the rerouting technique, ensuring HCPs gained the clinical proficiency to identify appropriate patients for this novel pathway.
COMPANY: WebMD | Professional Clinical Learning Tools (2016)
CHALLENGE: Position Lexiscan as the vital alternative for patients unable to achieve adequate exercise stress, ensuring that physical limitations do not become barriers to accurate myocardial perfusion imaging.
STRATEGY: Developed an immersive digital curriculum that guided healthcare professionals through the nuances of pharmacologic stress, focusing on the tactical knowledge required to optimize patient outcomes and manage the profile of the agent effectively.
COMPANY: JBL | Madison Square Garden Brand Activation (2006)
CHALLENGE: Electrify a sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd by spotlighting JBL’s full consumer lineup during the opening sequences of three legendary Cream reunion concerts.
STRATEGY: Composed a high-octane 3-minute brand film in Final Cut Pro, optimized for dual 100-inch HD stadium screens to maximize visual immersion and brand resonance in a premier live-event setting.
COMPANY: Infinity Systems | Cinematic Homepage Experience (2004)
CHALLENGE: Transform the Infinity Systems digital presence with an immersive, multi-sensory homepage experience.
STRATEGY: Crafted a cinematic multimedia showcase featuring a custom-engineered soundtrack and bespoke voice-over. Synced high-fidelity motion with original audio to align with the brand’s premium aesthetic and deliver a high-impact brand introduction.
CHALLENGE: Capture the attention of a specialized medical audience to drive global engagement and attendance for premier cardiology conferences.
STRATEGY: Produced high-fidelity video narratives by integrating clinical event footage with curated medical b-roll. Engineered precise audio-visual synchronization to communicate professional prestige and clinical innovation across digital and social platforms.
CHALLENGE: Elevate Audiovox® into a modern, culturally-relevant, tech-savvy, high performing consumer brand, increasing awareness and desirability of its audio/video products among a targeting demographic.
STRATEGY: Created visually striking, high-impact B2C print ads that position Audiovox products as powerful extensions of active lifestyles, using bold imagery and minimal copy to connect with young males ages 18–29.
CHALLENGE: Rebrand Chefs Diet as the premier gourmet diet solution—positioning it as the only complete program delivering healthy, chef-inspired meals and snacks directly to consumers’ doorsteps.
STRATEGY: Developed a visually refined B2C campaign that emphasizes culinary excellence, convenience, and transformation—highlighting Chefs Diet as America’s only 5-star diet through elevated imagery and messaging that blends luxury dining with effective wellness.
CHALLENGE: Built a B2B advertising campaign to elevate ASI presence and engagement at the International Retail Design Conference, positioning the brand as a leader in innovative retail display solutions.
STRATEGY: Constructed a cohesive series of corporate and product-focused print ads that communicate ASI’s design expertise and impact on retail environment, strategically placed in VMSD Magazine and the IRDC conference program to drive awareness, boost booth traffic, and spark pre-event excitement among industry decision-makers.
