Showcase & Discover Creative Work

Growing up & working in So Cal I have a lifetime experience of participating in, being surrounded by, working with action sports, youth culture, toy & entertainment markets. I strive to create strategic, brand building and engaging solutions. As a seasoned veteran of project, team & budget management across multiple design categories I also bring entrepreneurial and corporate experience working with upper management, marketing and retail partners in holistic and strategic methods to incorporate great design to drive demand and activate brands.

Having intimate knowledge and experience of endemic categories such as action sports, toy & entertainment, properties owned by fortune 500 companies to upstart individuals have used my services. My vast experience translating my clients goals into compelling, accurate, focused and tangible results for these exclusive markets is one reason why companies have sought my design and direction.

Working with entrepreneurial, corporate and team environments for upper management, marketing and retail partners in holistic and strategic branding methods makes me smile and keeps me stoked. I believe unique design is an indispensable part of any brands equity and experience, never to be done through copying trends or what you competition is doing. Research, understand and know your audience then surprise, advance and expand their experience of your brand. Read Less

TRIGGERLAB Studio (TLS) is about engaging expressions for consumer products (killer design +illustrations to sell your products)

TRIGGERLAB Studio was created by Eric Ruffing, who is best known as 1/2 Founder/Design Director of 13THFLOOR design with Dave Parmley.

TRIGGERLAB Studio capabilities are:

Project Planning:

Trend Research – Color, Design + Retail
Market Research
Consumer Insights
Project Definition + Focus
Budget Planning
Brand Integration
Project Briefs

Execution:

CreativeDirection
Art Direction
Concept Development
Visual Style
Licensing Style Guides
Style Guide Assets
Design Language
Brand Identity Systems
Brand Guidelines
Brand Marks
Brand Mark Guidelines
Product Branding
Packaging
Collateral
Illustration
Logos
Logo Guidelines
Icons
Lettering
Font Design
Corporate, Service & Product Naming Read Less

While Co-Founder + Co Creative Director of 13THFLOOR, Sr. Design Mgr. at Hot Wheels and on solo I have had the opportunity to work with and provide design for many types of clients, agencies, brands, individuals + products…to name a few of the victims here is a list;

ACTIVISION
AMMO BOOKS
ALEEDA WETSUITS
BAD BOY MMA
THE BRAND FACTOR
BELL HELMETS
BMG
BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA
BUNGIE SOFTWARE
CONNELY WAKEBOARDS & SKIS
CONVERSE
DISNEY INTERACTIVE
ELEMENT SKATE
FOX LICENSING & MERCHANDISING
FROG DESIGN
GIANT BIKES
GIRO SPORT DESIGN
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
HASBRO
HOT WHEELS
LI-NING
LIQUID AGENCY
MATTEL
McELROY FCB
MIDWAY GAMES
MOUNTAIN DEW
MTV
NBA
NICK EGAN (INXS, SEX PISTOLS, LEVIS, BRIAN SETZER, VIRGIN)
NIKE
NXTZ
OAKLEY
OGILVY & MATHER
O’NEILL WETSUITS & SPORTSWEAR
OP
PACIFIC COAST POWER & LIGHT
PEPSI
PRO-TEC
QUIKSILVER
ROCK SHOX
SEX PISTOLS (Nick Egan)
THE SIMPSONS
SMITH, SMITH & SMITH
SPIN MASTER
SPOT BIKES
SUPERCROSS BMX
TBWA CHIAT/DAY
TEAM DETROIT JWT
TL PARTNERSHIP
TYCO
ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
VIRGIN COLA
VIRGIN INTERACTIVE
WARNER BROS
WWE
X-GAMES
YAHOO INTERNET LIFE
YOUNG & RUBICAM
ZOO / BMG RECORDS


SOME KIND WORDS

“I have a great respect for Eric and his work. He was a key force in the creative re-positioning for the Hot Wheels brand for the 45 categories of consumer products we were leading. His trend right style and artistic flare became a significant weapon in driving brand authenticity back into the brand. He’s also great to work with !”
Tim Parsey, VP Design, Boys Design, Hot Wheels

“Eric is not only a seasoned designer and creative visionary, but also a savvy brand marketer. Eric’s deep understanding of branding and marketing results in creative output that is always on strategy. Eric’s experience and strong communication skills make him a joy to work with.”
Brad Horn, President The Brand Factor – Consultant to Bad Boy MMA

“Eric and his team at 13THFLOOR have provided some amazing graphic design for the outlook of some of our products. I hope to continue working with them in the future.”
George Barthel, Product Manager, Giant Bicycles

“Hired Eric a number of times to handle web site, catalog and packaging designs for Spot Brand. Every time, the results were far more than we could have hoped or even dreamed of.
I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to hire Eric/13th Floor and will do so again in the very near future!”
Michael Golinski, Co-Founder Spot Bikes

“I’ve hired Eric Ruffing + 13THFLOOR many many times since 2007 while being at Mattel. Always on time, and the designs are always better than expected. Their expert eye for trends and wicked illustration skills make my job even easier. Besides that, these guys are just some really cool cats to deal with. They have an awesome sense of humor which is always a plus. I’d highly recommend them for any of your creative project needs.”
Roman Cortez, Sr. Designer, Hot Wheels/Matchbox

“Eric oversaw the transformation of Mattel’s Hot Wheels Style guide, and it was a sight to see.We utilized his guides to develop our licensed products, and thanks in large part to Eric, our bikes came out better than ever!His work is extremely impressive and he seems to be becoming an industry leader in the ”extreme sports graphic design” catagory.Hopefully we’ll have many opportunities to work together in the future.”
Roger Shank, Creative Director, Dynacraft (Hot Wheels Licensee) Read Less