Brand, Product and Experience Design.

Since 2008

Hello, I’m Chris Mena, designer, creative director and studio co-founder (Tetra) from California. I help people create smart products and fresh experiences. Thanks for visiting—here's a look at some of my work:

Partner at

Remote Roles

(Senior designer, circa 2010-2014)

Agency-subcontracted Jobs

(Freelance Jr. designer, circa 2008-2014)

Product/s placed in

Partner

Remote Roles

(Lead designer, circa 2010-2014)

Agency-subcontracted Jobs

(Freelance Jr. designer, circa 2012-2014)

Product/s placed in

Design Leadership Across Digital, Print and Experiential Platforms.

Christopher Mena,
35

CREATIVE DIRECTOR / BRAND DESIGNER

15+ years of design, advertising & marketing experience. I focus on simplicity, effective project management and a deep understanding of client needs. I develop visions, integrate feedback and optimize for consistent results.

US West Coast

Born in San Diego, CA

Bay Area Raised

Based in Reno, NV

+ Mérida, Yucatán

Semi-nomadic

Northern Nevada, So. Cal, MX & Abroad

What drives me?

I seek to push boundaries and be a part of next-generation work. I want to serve by creating meaningful, real-world designs that inspire.

"Great design is simple yet profound—a toolbox for builders, a platform for engagement and catalyst for action."

Here to support amazing people.

Competencies:
‍
Brand Strategy & Identity

Creative Direction
‍
UI/UX & Product Design

Web Design

Experiential Design
‍
Content Creation

Print & Product Packaging

Advertising & Marketing

Techniques:
‍
Minimalist / Swiss

Bauhaus / Humanist

Material / Carbon Design
‍

Tools & Proficiencies:
‍
Adobe Creative Cloud

Figma / Webflow
‍
AI Tools & Automations

Project Management

Industries Served:
‍
Tech Companies / Startups

AI & Automation / DeFi / Crypto

Corporate / Financial / Media

Consumer Retail / Wholesale

Health & Beauty

E-commerce

Studios and Ad Agencies

What I Bring

Professionalism

Heart

Action

Adaptability

Empathy

Authenticity

Composure

Vision

Precision

Conversion

Connection

Culture

Performance

Consistency

Knowledge

Teamwork

Openness

Simplicity

Ethic

Aesthetic

Fun

Flow

My Skillset

Ad Campaign Development

AI Integration in Design

Art Direction

Brand Development

Brand Guidelines

Brand Identity

Brand Messaging & Storytelling

Campaign Development

Client Consultation

Collaborative Team Leadership

Competitor Analysis

Content Creation (Visual and Written)

Copywriting and Branding

Creative Concept Development

Creative Direction

Cross-Functional Team Collaboration

Customer Persona Development

Data-Driven Design Strategy

Design Systems

Digital Marketing Strategy

Event Branding & Marketing

Experiential Design

Figma Prototyping

Graphic Design

Illustration and Iconography

Image Generation

Interactive Design

Large-Format Print

Logo Design

Marketing

Market Research

Naming and Brand Messaging

Presentation Design

Product Packaging Design

Product Design

Product Photography

Product Launch Strategy

Production Oversight

Project Management

Prompting & Automation

Prototyping and Wireframing

Research & Reports

Social Media Content Strategy

Typography

UI/UX Design

User Journey Mapping

Vendor Management

Visual Identity Systems

Web Design

Webflow Development

Core Capabilities

Brands, digital products, strategy, campaign and art direction.

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

Directing brand design, marketing, communication, and ad campaigns. Crafting comprehensive brand strategies that deliver measurable results in competitive markets. Fostering collaborative environments that balance innovation with strategic direction.

Brand Identity & Stewardship

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

Designing and overseeing brand identity across digital, print, and experiential platforms, ensuring consistency with strategic goals and brand standards through high-fidelity style guides that unify and elevate brand experience.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Team Leadership

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

Skilled in presenting concepts, enthusiastic in service and quick to integrate feedback, experienced in working with leadership, product managers, developers, marketers, and external partners—spanning franchises, resorts, consumer retail products, SaaS, DeFi and AI-driven brands.

Expertise in Visual Design, Systems Thinking, & Technical Proficiency

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Webflow, AI-image generation and other tools. Expertise in creating high-quality graphics, interfaces, SVG animations, and interactive prototypes. Proficient in defining standards and providing assets within design systems that are clean, robust and adaptable.

Data-Driven Creative Strategy

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

Merging creative thinking with analytics to craft brand and product strategies. This includes research, conceptualizing, developing, A/B testing, analysis and iterative design to enhance outcomes, drive engagement and reach growth objectives.

Production Oversight & Vendor Management

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

I can manage or assist with production workflows, overseeing vendors, ensuring deliverables, brand specifications and timelines are met. I can navigate production challenges, coordinating resources and manage schedules to deliver projects that are on time and within scope.

Independent, Adaptive Work Style & Problem-Solving

Creative Leadership & Strategic Vision:

I thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments, managing multiple projects and adapting to changing priorities with ease. Trusted for my autonomy and initiative, I work to problem-solve in simple terms. I feel confident in my ability to take shape to the needs of my work, becoming a finely tuned instrument, capable of managing day-to-day builds, delivering mission-critical sprints or spearheading special ops.

Notable Achievements

Head of Design for TruNeura Cognitive Health (2024):

Challenge

Design, develop and launch the first AI-powered, medically-backed SaaS and Program for reversing cognitive decline and preventing Alzheimer’s

Solution

Directed creative strategy, UX/UI design, and brand identity for TruNeura, a pioneering digital platform built in collaboration with Dr. Kristine Burke, a renowned neurologist at one of the top 7 centers worldwide for dementia prevention and treatment. Present an integral, professional and attractive offering in a highly competitive digital health market.

Result

Successfully launched on Apple and Google app stores, recognized for its innovative approach to cognitive health, rapidly gaining traction in the health-tech space as a leader in preventative brain health solutions.

Co-Founded Tetra Studio (2021):

Challenge

Establish a new creative studio focused on branding and design for cutting-edge technologies in a competitive market.

Solution

Led creative, product, and brand design for various clients, including Handshake (dWeb Foundation), NFT branding (Kenetic Capital), blockchain and DeFi projects like Cardano (Disco Solaris), Base (Mirage Protocol), and the VPN service Indigitus. Developed comprehensive creative strategies and branding for DeFi ventures, including Fidira and Valeo.

Result

Positioned Tetra Studio as an exciting creative partner for crypto startups, successfully delivering high-impact branding and design solutions in the Web3, DeFi, and AI spaces.

Concept-to-Shelf Launch for eOn Mist (2020):

Challenge

Introduce eOn, the first personal-sized continuous mist disinfectant, during the global pandemic in a crowded market dominated by established brands like Lysol and Clorox.

Solution

Named, branded, and designed eOn mist, creating a distinctive identity, packaging, in-store displays, and executing a multi-channel marketing strategy across digital and traditional platforms.

Result

Sold over 16 million units across 15 national retailers, including CVS, Target, Walmart, Sam's Club, Kroger, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and Safeway, and was featured in all major US airports, making it the fastest-growing concept-to-shelf brand in US retail history.

Creative Direction for Emerging Product Brands (2016–2020):

Challenge

Launch new consumer-facing products and revitalize legacy brands in competitive national retail markets.

Solution

Provided remote creative direction, branding, packaging, and marketing strategy for new products like Vitalign (Circle K), Raw-Power (Whole Foods), Honey 2.0 (Costco), and Performance Research (Amazon). Led rebranding efforts for established brands such as Tamba (Hawaiian Surf Brand) and Cascade Yarns, and directed campaign design for Cahuilla Casino Hotel’s $50 million expansion in Southern California.

Result

Secured national placements in key retailers, revitalized brand presence, and expanded market growth for multiple product lines.

Creative Director for Aubío Life Sciences (2014):

Challenge

Launch Aubío, a scientifically-proven botanical cold sore treatment, in a competitive national skincare market.

Solution

Led naming, branding, packaging, and marketing strategies, establishing Aubío's presence in top retail chains. Collaborated with John Paul DeJoria (Patron Tequila, Paul Mitchell) to develop a brand that emphasized efficacy and consumer trust.

Result

Successfully launched in Target, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid, achieving a strong market foothold and rapid customer adoption.

Lead Brand Refresh and Campaign for Pechanga Resort & Casino (2012–2014):

Challenge

Introduce eOn, the first personal-sized continuous mist disinfectant, during the global pandemic in a crowded market dominated by established brands like Lysol and Clorox.

Solution

Directed a comprehensive brand refresh and ad campaign strategy, worked with in house team producing materials featured in magazines, airport advertising, billboards across California, and beyond. Developed key creative content for venue promotions, events, and property branding.

Result

Maintained and increased No 1. Casino Resort status in all of California (top resorts in nation, outside of Las Vegas), increased brand awareness and customer engagement, with campaigns featured prominently in high-traffic areas and recognized for their iconic look and feel.

Cross-Platform Branding for Harrah’s Resort SoCal (2008–2016):

Challenge

Progress from Junior Designer (2008) to Senior Designer (2010) to Creative Lead (2012–2016). Enhance brand recognition and customer experience through cohesive cross-platform branding and creative strategies.

Solution

Led development of branding and marketing assets for events, property promotion, and in-house experiences. Created award-winning campaigns recognized for excellence in design and strategic impact.

Result

Solidified the resort's Top 3 market position in So. Cal. Handful of my designs won “Best-in-Class” awards for our ad agencies campaigns; many logos and brands created remain in use today.

Agency Design Work for Major Brands (2008–2012):

Challenge

Junior Designer, remotely sub-contracted by agencies like Firstborn® and Magnetic Creative.

Solution

Developed creative assets, including banner ads and digital content for Warner Brothers, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Procter & Gamble, Marvel, Vizio, and Starburst.

Result

Enhanced brand visibility and campaign success for top-tier entertainment and consumer brands, contributing to broader market reach and engagement.

Brand Refresh for Powerhouse Gyms International (2008):

Challenge

Refresh and unify the global brand identity to drive increased franchise sales and customer engagement.

Solution

At age 18, led the brand redesign and global marketing campaign, including the creation of a new visual identity and advertising strategy.

Result

Drove significant growth in franchise sales and customer engagement, with the refreshed brand identity principles still actively in use by Powerhouse Gyms International and their 300+ franchise gyms around the world today.

Launched Simple Media Agency in Northern Nevada (2006)

Challenge

Launch design career and begin providing creative services in print, digital and web design for local business leaders.

Solution

Age 16-20, still in high school, with the help of my father who had come from an entrepreneurial, media and print background, I launched my first agency with an office in midtown Reno, NV which I would attend during office hours in the summer and finally, after school during my senior year. After graduation, my agency was my first job, leading me to work with figures across the US.

Result

Created and ran a successful local agency offering branding, advertising and web design, serving local chamber of commerce, local leaders in media, technology, medical, construction, homes-builders, real estate, law, service-industry and more. Many designs still in use today.

Commitment

Design

I stay engaged in design and conference news, communicating with designer, developer and business friendships across the map. I am continuously exploring, collecting and sharing resources, working to improve my practices and techniques.

Learning

I am passionate about continuous learning, collaborating with designers and staying ahead of trends and technologies. I am committed to further education and to be an active participant in industry events.

Creed

The best things in life are free.

Our time is our greatest asset.

Integrity our greatest gift.

Joy at the heart of it all.

Team Dynamic

I am driven to excellence and an open approach. I thrive in innovative environments where the exchange of ideas and embodiment of shared values intersect. I embrace challenges with design-first thinking, focusing on solutions, research, ideation, iteration and growth.

I uphold the highest standards, guiding projects and teams through proven processes to create high-level master designs, providing a reliable foundation for strategic marketing and creative decisions to meet performance goals.

Trust, respect, and continuous self-improvement. Leading with empathy and accountability, unifying projects across the diverse needs of client, customer and team to elevate everyone’s experience. I help balance creative potential with strategic discipline to foster ideas, create dialogue, spur collaboration, and execute projects.

Resilience and artistic entrepreneurship enable me to navigate fast-paced, high-pressure environments, while my seasoned and dynamic work-life balance + cutting-edge workflows allow me to stay consistent across time and projects.

Status

🟢 I’m currently seeking a creative direction or design leadership role in tech. Please feel free to reach out to c@cmenadesigns.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Leveraging the newest technologies and methodologies to push the boundaries of the design process.

Thank you and have a great day!

Best regards,

Email: c@cmenadesigns.com

© 2024 Christopher Mena

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