Hi, I’m Rico

Creative Technologist and design leader.

I design, animate, and build — from brand systems to production-ready prototypes.

For 20+ years I’ve worked where design, engineering, and motion meet. Today I’m Creative Director at Moment, an early-stage startup in New York, leading brand identity, motion, and visual direction from first concept to brand system.

Before that, I spent three years at Apply Digital’s innovation unit, The Lab, creating experimental and AI-driven work for Kraft Heinz, the NBA, the NFL, and Arc’teryx. I led a three-person design team on Kraft Heinz’s cross-brand loyalty platform and built the motion framework behind the Heinz, Lunchables, Philadelphia, and Oscar Mayer sites — cutting animation file weight by over 70%.

I don’t just hand off ideas — I build them. I write JavaScript/TypeScript, SvelteKit, Vue, Node.js, and Python, and use code to prototype fast and create tools other designers rely on. AI is part of my everyday process — Claude Code, Cursor, Midjourney, Figma Weave — to get from concept to production faster.

Highlights

Grand Prix at Cannes and the New York Festivals for a digital experience for Grendene’s Melissa; work published by Taschen.
Art and creative direction at McCann Erickson for Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Chevrolet.
Built a tool that turns PSD files into animated assets, used by around 10 agencies for over two years.
Grew Best of Web from 40K to 2M monthly pageviews by rethinking its UX and infrastructure.

What people say

LinkedIn recommendation from Mauricio Pommella, who managed Rico directly: “Rico reported to me as part of our creative team, and from day one it was clear he brought something rare to the table — the ability to seamlessly bridge the worlds of design and technology.” — “Very few designers or developers can move fluidly between both disciplines the way Rico does.”
**Mauricio Pommella** · Managed Rico directly at Apply Digital

LinkedIn recommendation from Justin Thomas, Chief Digital Officer and Rico’s client: “Rico is one of those rare talents who brings together exceptional visual design, imaginative thinking, and seamless motion in a way that feels effortless.” — “Rico is one of those rare talents who brings together exceptional visual design, imaginative thinking, and seamless motion.”
**Justin Thomas** · Chief Digital Officer, client

LinkedIn recommendation from Wells Stringham, Co-Founder and Partner at better&co: “Whether we were exploring concepts for the NFL, lululemon, or Arc’teryx, Rico had a knack for turning early ideas into Figma prototypes that felt like real, polished products.” — “Rico had a knack for turning early ideas into Figma prototypes that felt like real, polished products.”
**Wells Stringham** · Co-Founder and Partner, better&co

Read all 15 recommendations on LinkedIn

Let’s talk

Based in São Paulo, working remotely with teams across North America.

Get in touch