GATIS
Exhibit & Graphic Systems Designer in Santa Fe,
New Mexico
Experienced Exhibit & Graphic Systems Designer with 20+ years creating production-ready visual systems for exhibits, installations, and print. Currently accepting production and branding inquiries. Available for contract and full-time roles.
I make complex things beautiful…
… transforming complex information into high-impact visual systems. My approach prioritizes structural clarity and cross-cultural communication — ensuring every design is both functional and visually compelling.
Core Capabilities
Production-Ready Assets
Comprehensive deliverable files, technical specifications, and prepress preparation.
Environmental Graphics
Scaled artwork, precise wall layouts, and spatial graphic mapping.
Implementation Support
Detailed print and installation documentation.
Systemic Branding
Scalable visual identity systems for cultural and commercial organizations.
Clients & Collaborators
Providing design and production expertise to diverse industries—ranging from cultural institutions and non-profits to creative studios and corporate partners.
What I Do
Brand & Visual Identity Systems (Identity + Specs)
Strategic branding, typography, and scalable design architectures. I build cohesive visual foundations—from brand guidelines to multi-platform ecosystems—prioritizing clarity, structure, and accessibility.
Illustration for Production & Narrative Systems
Production-ready illustration for film, editorial, packaging, and site-specific commissions. I deliver narrative-driven visuals rooted in technical precision and symbolic clarity.
Environmental & Spatial Graphic Systems (Wall + Exhibit)
Large-scale spatial installations, architectural illustration, and immersive visual environments. I translate cultural storytelling into site-specific artwork and scaled layouts.
UI/UX + Digital Interface Architecture
Interface design, prototypes, and user flows. I develop digital systems focused on interaction logic, inclusivity, and cross-platform functionality.
Publication & Print Systems (Prepress + Delivery)
Comprehensive layout design for catalogs, visual essays, and technical publications. Expertise in typography, pacing, and high-end print specifications.
Specialized Print & Book Production (Letterpress + High-End Print)
High-fidelity print production incorporating letterpress, hand-bound editions, and tactile media. Blending traditional craft with modern technical standards.
Technical Design Consultation + Workflow Documentation
Professional instruction and mentorship in visual structure, technical drawing, and digital workflows for organizations and creative teams.
Wings and Waves
An exploration of my fascination with aviation and maritime history in human evolution. Having previously worked on projects for Boeing, I’ve long been intrigued by the parallels between aircraft and ships. This piece touches that fascination, capturing the wonder and amazement I feel when seeing sky and sea vessels, merging imagination with symbolic, surreal storytelling.
About Gatis
Over 20 years of designing, delivering, and implementing production-ready visual systems for cultural, commercial, and digital environments.
Gatis is a Santa Fe–based designer, illustrator, and production specialist with over 20 years of experience across Europe and North America.
His practice integrates high-level graphic design, digital media, and architectural-scale illustration. He specializes in delivering production-ready assets for film, cultural institutions, and commercial brands — bridging creative vision and technical execution.
As an educator, Gatis leads professional workshops in visual fundamentals, digital workflows, and technical drawing, with a focus on structural clarity and professional development.
Location & Availability
Based in Santa Fe, NM — serving local and international clients.
Available for:
Production Illustration — Film, editorial, and narrative media
Brand Systems — Identity design and scalable visual guidelines
Environmental Graphics — Murals and large-scale spatial installations
UI/UX Design — Interface architecture and digital systems
Specialized Print — Book arts, letterpress, and high-end print production
Technical Instruction — Professional workshops and skills development
Resume
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Freelance Design & Illustration Consultant
Nomadic Circus
Self-Employed | Remote & Santa Fe, NM
2001 – Present
Directed and managed all facets of a design studio, producing original artwork, illustration, and branding for 15+ clients across the art, technology, and non-profit sectors.
Specialized in Technical and Instructional Illustration and high-fidelity prepress execution for major print collateral and large-scale fabrication.
Collaborated remotely with producers on 2D animation and motion graphics, successfully integrating assets into digital campaigns and interactive experiences.
Secured multiple design awards for independent work, including Best of Show and Gold ADDY recognition.
Adjunct Professor, Art and Design
Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) | Santa Fe, NM
2016 – Present
Developed and instructed over 20 distinct studio courses (including: Typography, Interactive Design, 3D Printing, Laser cutting, Illustration, Drawing), focused on both fundamental principles and modern digital workflows.
Mentored students on portfolio development and career readiness, resulting in improved graduation outcomes.
Experience Designer 2
Ideum | Albuquerque, NM
2023 – 2025
Designed and prototyped 14 immersive, multi-touch interactive exhibits for major museums, resulting in a 35% increase in average visitor engagement.
Developed custom UI/UX frameworks and visual assets, illustrations, animations for interactive installations, balancing cutting-edge technology with accessibility standards.
Managed the full design lifecycle from concept ideation through final deployment and quality assurance on large-scale public art projects.
Art Director
Firefly Strategies | Santa Fe, NM
2018 – 2020
Directed all branding, print, and digital marketing collateral, overseeing creative execution and project management from initial concept to final client sign-off.
Windgate Project Manager, Cataloging Collections
Hamilton Museum of Wood Type and Printing | Two Rivers, WI
2019
Managed the professional cataloging and archiving of extensive historical collections, preserving large scale wood cut plates and wood type for educational and research purposes.
Art Director & Illustrator
Golden Shovel Agency | Little Falls, MN
2014 – 2018
Led the conceptualization and design of brand-consistent web experiences and marketing collateral for clients in the economic development sector.
Directed the visual aesthetic and layout for complex website projects, coordinating design efforts to meet client deadlines and agency standards.
Ensured all digital design deliverables met industry standards, including WCAG 2.1 AA-level accessibility and responsive framework requirements.
Visiting Professor and Adjunct Professor
New Mexico State University | Las Cruces, NM
2012 – 2016
Taught university-level courses in visual arts and design.
Leading undergraduate and graduate-level courses in graphic design, with a focus on experience design, typography, illustration, and design theory.
Assisted in running graphic design department and fabrication lab.
Art Director
Jelgavnikiem, Magazine | Jelgava, Latvia
2009 – 2010
Art Director
Dienas Biznes, Financial and News Magazine | Riga, Latvia
2008 – 2009
Art Director
McCann Riga, Marketing and Ad Agency | Riga, Latvia
2007 – 2008
Designer & Illustrator
Brainmagnet, Graphic Design Agency | St. Cloud, MN,
2004 – 2006
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Design Expertise:
Typography (Vast Typography), Technical Illustration, Instructional Illustration, 2D Animation, UI/UX, Print Production (Pre-Press), Branding, Interactive Exhibit Design, Publication Design.
Software:
Adobe CC (InDesign, Acrobat, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Fresco), Figma, Procreate, Laser Cutter Operation, 3D Modeling (Basic).
Tools:
Letterpress, Paper Making, Bookbinding
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Lürzer's Archive Special: 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide.
Best of Show (2x): MAX Awards and AMFCM ADDY Awards.
Gold ADDY Awards (3x): Recognized for excellence in web design, illustration, and collateral.
LogoLounge Master Library Series.
San Francisco International Wine Competition, Silver Medal.
Sara J. Irvine Book Award.
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M.F.A., Graphic Design
Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, INB.F.A., Visual Arts
St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN