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.

 

Marisa Brodie, Graphic designer
The daughter of a type rep and graphic designer, Marisa started her career off early on her father's knee. She graduated from Texas State University's Communication Design Department in 2007. While in college, she became the art director of the school newspaper, The University Star, as well as serving as Membership Coordinator for the student chapter of AIGA at Texas State. Marisa's real world experience includes a long-term freelance position at the Ousset Agency and working three years at Judson Design prior to joining the ranks at Griffin. Marisa's work has been recognized by 502, the Art Directors Club of Houston, Creative Summit and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

 

Elisa Schmidt, Graphic designer, production manager
With 14 years of experience in the design industry already under her belt to date, Elisa first cut her chops as a Kinko's guru for 7 years while in high school and college. Upon receiving a BA in Fine Arts at the University of Texas, she held graphic design and art director positions in the entertainment and real estate industries before starting her own full-service graphic design shop in 2006. She merged her firm with Griffin Creative in 2008. Elisa, a Gemini, is very comfortable in her new dual role as not olny designer but production manager at Griffin as of November 2011. She prides herself on managing client relationships with an emphatic hand while delivering top quality projects on time and on budget, every time.