LARRY HRUSKA

CREATIVE DIRECTOR GARRISON HUGHES DESIGN, PITTSBURGH, PA

Larry Hruska is a Creative Director for Garrison Hughes Design (GHD), an arm of Garrison Hughes Advertising, an employee-owned, award-winning ad agency with clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Larry brings 20+ years of experience to his role overseeing a team of 15+ designers who focus on creative development for a world-renowned health care provider and insurer based in the region. During Larry’s 11-year tenure with GHD, he and his team have built a portfolio of award-winning projects ranging from print and digital to motion graphics. His creative vision and collaborative style have strengthened the healthcare giant’s brand and consistently refined it to better connect with an increasingly diverse audience. Larry has also worked to bolster the brands of the numerous specialty hospitals and services under the health system’s umbrella. By establishing brand identities and visual systems, he has broadened brand equity in the region and around the globe. In recent years, Larry’s team has doubled in size, broadened its scope, and honed the creative muscle on which stakeholders at every level of the health system have come to rely. He is so proud of the relationships he's built and treasures his colleagues and the agency that has come to feel like home.

Looking forward to 2023, are you optimistic about the role and impact of Graphic Design and Visual Communication in Business? Culture? Causes? Why do you feel that way? Have the events and disruptions of the past few years changed the role or trajectory of Graphic Design?

I’m cautiously optimistic about the role and impact of graphic design and visual communication in business, culture, and causes. With movements pushing systemic change, color palettes have grown increasingly warm and hopeful. There’s an enthusiasm to design surrounding causes and culture that’s empowering and impactful. AI has been disruptive — fixing hair is easier than ever! I don’t think it’ll make us obsolete just yet thanks to the human artistry and nuance that AI can’t replicate. Paper shortages and high costs have remained tough, but they’ve also made us more creative.

Most influential graphic designer(s) or art directors(s) of the past 60 years? Of today?

Peter Saville, Neville Brody, and David Carson have each had an influence on me.

Most influential graphic design firm(s), ad agencies, or inhouse departments of the past 60 years? Of today?

Apple (inhouse), Pentagram and House Industries for inhouse agencies.

Favorite or most influential logo or branding project of the past 60 years?

Paul Rand – Westinghouse logo.

Favorite or most influential design project or campaign in any medium for the past 60 years?

I appreciate the way Netflix designs for the shows they produce. Being an ‘80s kid, I really love all of the poster artwork for Stranger Things.

Most influential product, service or technology of the past 60 years?

The Apple computer and all the products and technologies it inspired.