Meet Daniela Ruiz | Digital Designer and Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniela Ruiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniela, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up I was always gravitated to creative hobbies. I loved drawing, fashion and being active that later on in my life, I had no idea how it would all unite into one career or job. I initially got into journalism , because it checked all the blanks of having an active lifestyle while by shooting and editing video. I realized later I wanted to completely pursue an artistic career. With that came about, creating graphics, drawing, making digital videos or simply taking pictures. I realized I loved pushing my creativity and that’s what Design Reality is about, it’s a production, and graphic design company which has allowed me to divulge myself into what I love which is designing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It’s crazy, my art is just what inspires me that day. Recently I produced a promo video for a tea company and got inspiration from listening to JB’s new song “Peaches” and seeing a lotus flower at a Japanese Garden that day. I try to also mix my drawings with digital art. Right now, that’s actually my most proudest piece of work, since it came from me and not a company I’m working for. Definitely, it was not easy jumping into this new creative career but then again it’s not supposed to be and that’s the good thing! I came from working as a news reporter and producer and thanks to a job not working out began this new path. In the beginning in general there were a lot of hurdles such as moving away from my family to take reporter/producer jobs in places like Oklahoma or Abilene. To lead up to moving to Philadelphia, then through a series of events, I started my own company and here I am loving what I do.
Overall I do have to say, I learned, a lot from myself, my mental health and that everything is about moving forward. It doesn’t matter if you won or failed, just keep moving forward – that’s the biggest lesson and my mantra for hard situations.
I also feel that’s were Design Reality came from, we can take our situations good or bad and make the best out of them. Everyone can have the same bad situation and there will always be that person who will turn it into an opportunity, a growth lesson or a success story, it’s about designing your reality. The brand and story came from that and my initials being DR, had to have some self-love in the brand ha.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love where this is going already! I’m a Texas girl and easily to do a trip in DFW, and I want you to still be my friend at the end, we would go to Chuy’s which has the best Tex-Mex. I said it! They have the best margaritas nothing compares to Chuy’s frozen. Then we would have to go to the reunion tower during sunset to see the view of the city, people call it the disco ball since it’s shaped like a disco ball and sits overlooking Dallas. Easily after, we would go to the trolley in uptown, stop by Klyde Warren park and sight see, and pass by the Dallas Museum of Art or The Nasher Sculpture Center. Obviously, the scene here for sports is big, so depending on the time of the season we have 4 choices a Dallas Cowboys Game, a Rangers, Mavs or Stars Game, preferably Mavs. If you are open to a cultural experience, the Dallas Buddhist Center is my favorite place, it’s an actual Buddhist temple, were monks live and pray daily. They open it to the public and have authentic Thai-street food market on Sunday’s. Tt’s in the most hidden suburbs of North Dallas, it’s a hidden gem!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely would not be anywhere near where I thought, I could be , if it weren’t for the people that believed in me. I owe a lot to my initial team in Dallas from NBC Universal and Telemundo: Nada Ruddock, Rafael Gonzalez, Gloria Flores, Sency Mellado, Victoria DeAnda, I don’t want to leave anyone out but, the support they gave me early on in my start is something I will always be grateful for. To have people trust you and believe in your abilities is beyond, and I never take for granted those moments in my life of learning and growing with that team.

Instagram: @Designedreal