Stephen W. Croxson | Principal, Creative Director

As I review my bio, it becomes apparent that I really haven’t worked on it in several years. I’ve owned my own design firm since 1978 – therefore, I’ve been my own boss for twenty something years, or more precisely, I have served many wonderful clients for twenty six years. My specialty is B2B. I’m just a right-brained person living in a left-brain world. If you’re taking the time to read my bio, chances are you’re someone in the design industry evaluating our work, building your own website, or truly interested in our creative process. With that in mind, I will take this opportunity to tell you about our shiny awards on the wall. For some strange reason, “creatives” need reassurance that their work is valid in the marketplace and therefore we must enter shows and win awards. The following is a partial list of the organizations who have recognized our pursuit of excellence:

• ARC (The Annual Report Conference and Investors Forum)
• Art Director’s Club of Houston
• Art Director’s Club of New York
• American Advertising Federation (ADDY)
• American Corporate Identity
• Communication Arts Magazine
• Financial World
• Institutional Investor Magazine
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Print
• The Best of Print
• Printing Industries of America (PIA)
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
• The Smithsonian Institute’s Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Design

If you’ve read this far, you just might be a potential client or prospective employee looking for the right creative to marketing strategy mix. That’s wonderful. This is what truly makes us different. I have a special love and respect for each of my clients. We work hard to understand their industries. From the clean, white coats of biotechnology labs to the smell of oil on a frozen hillside in Wyoming, I have experienced it all. I love my job and the people who allow us to visually define the essence of their companies. I am their biggest fan and their most vocal cheerleader.

Laurie Croxson | Account Director

I moved to Houston in 1981, after spending many winters growing up in Wisconsin. My advertising career began at Point Communications, a subsidiary of Tracy-Locke, in account services. A proposed corporate merger later took me to Baxter + Korge where I served as account director and expanded my role in the development of marketing and communications strategies, establishing graphic standards for corporate identity programs, media planning and copywriting. After meeting Steve Croxson in 1992, I found myself falling both for him and his design work. I joined CROXSON Design as account director in 1993, and joined Steve in marriage in 1995. Both mergers have been extremely successful. I continue to specialize in development of strategic branding and marketing plans. When it comes to managing projects, my detail-oriented personality, love of planning and “no excuses” approach to deadlines help to keep our clients happy and successful.

Pete Alvarado | Senior Art Director

Of all the projects I've had to tackle over the years, writing a personal bio has proven to be one of the most challenging and interesting; after all, designers should be their own toughest critics.

Along with interests in mid-century modern design, vintage furniture and barbecuing I have a strong Do-it-Yourself attitude that I try to apply across the board in life and work. I want to know how things work, why and what the process is to getting them done.

My winding road through design has taken me from publication and editorial design to brand development and identity design to website development and pretty much everything in between. I have in my professional life, tried to get hands-on experience in as many different disciplines of design as possible, from concept to production all the way to signing-off on the press sheet.

I believe design should be purposeful, elegant, and genuine. At Croxson Design, I have found a studio that embraces and promotes those qualities.

Less is more.

Jonnathan Zin Truong | Art Director

I am one of a small percentage of people in the world, who can sincerely say that I love what I do for a living. When you are in a job you are passionate about, driving to work becomes a privilege rather than a chore.

I have a degree in Graphic Communications from the University of Houston. My career began when I interned for Croxson Design, before branching off to start my own design firm. For the past five years I have led a team of six employees, before rejoining Croxson Design as an Art Director.

From employee to employer, intern to Art Director – every chapter of my life has been different in many ways, but similar in two respects – I continue to strive for excellence and work to become the best designer I can be. I believe that a successful designer should not only follow the standards set by those in the past – they can also set new standards for the future.

Foxy Lady | Security

I’ve worked at CROXSON Design most of my life. I can’t even remember how I spent my days before coming here when I was seven weeks old. My responsibilities – assisting dad, greeting clients and monitoring delivery personnel – keep me very busy. My time management skills are improving, so I do find time for my favorite chew toys, snacks and naps. Working with Jonnathan and Pete, and having mom and dad around all day are a puppy’s dream come true; and I look forward to a long, rewarding career. Please feel free to visit any time… and don’t forget to bring a treat for me!