Griffin Creative's Team

Andre Leeder, graphic designer and founder of Griffin Creative, graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising Communications in 1975. Following a brief stint in Manhattan, Andre has worked in Houston as a graphic designer for most of this career. Andre knew from an early age that he wanted a career in graphic design, and shaped his education and employment focus to meet that goal. After working for several prestigious design firms in Houston, he started Griffin Creative in 1989.

"There are many approaches and solutions to consider when a project is presented," notes Andre. "It is all about analyzing what the client needs, not just giving them what they may initially think they want. What I like most is the challenge of taking something as ethereal as a concept and bringing it to life; fleshing out what did not exist before into form and color."

For Andre, the personal rewards are great. "I work with interesting people joined in the common challenge of growing their company. No client or challenge is the same and no solution is either. Every project is like bringing a new baby into the world of aesthetics."

 

Robin Leeder, Griffin Creative's co-owner and business manager, has worked in the graphic design industry for nearly 30 years. As head of business development, she has extensive experience in strategic marketing and sales serving a wide variety of industries. Her business acumen combined with her ability to understand client needs contributes to seamless project execution.

After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1978, she moved to Houston and went to work for Oneworks, a pre-press firm, where she managed more than 100 client accounts. In 1991, Robin joined Griffin, taking the reins as the firm's business manager and allowing Andre to focus on the more "creative" side of things. Robin and Andre have been married 24 years and have three daughters, who all work in the graphic design industry.

 

Steven Alameda, graphic designer, has spent nearly 20 years honing his skills. His design experience includes stints with large hospital systems, major universities, advertising agencies, and organizations in retail, business-to-business and real estate. Steve also learned the art of offset lithography while serving as a graphic designer for an offset printing company. Following this, Steve founded his own design studio with a partner in Austin called AOID. In 2007, he returned to Houston to join Griffin Creative. According Andre, Steve is a master at bridging the gap between art and commerce. Steve graduated from the Art Institute of Houston with a degree in Visual Communications and Graphic Design in 1999.