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Christian RUESS
Creative Director | STUDIO CHRISTIAN RUESS
Christian Ruess is a Berlin based Creative Director and Founder of Studio Christian Ruess. While he considers himself a hybrid creative with wide experience in conception and photography, his work revolves around merging subjects like advertising, lifestyle and technology into one a single piece of awesomeness. Consequently his work has reaped major awards including Clio, Cannes Lions, ADC and NY Festival.
Chris started his career in 2006 as a designer at Jung von Matt. In the same year, he was part of a small team that created the largest and most successful music and art festival in Northern Germany – MS Dockville – which ran for over ten years. After a quick stint as an Art Director at Philipp & Keuntje, he decided to work independently and started his freelance career. One year later, in 2013, Chris founded and curated his own exhibition series, labelled Container Love which in the meantime has evolved to become a content platform for up-and-coming photographers to showcase their work.
And finally – in 2019 – Chris officially founded his Studio Christian Ruess – creating campaigns, shoots and experiences for brands, products and smart people.
questionnaire
What was your very first job? What does it feel like to look back at it now?
I started working as a Bartender. I would recommend anyone to work at a bar at least once in their life – it’s where you learn manners.
Please describe, in your own words, what your current job is and what work it entails.
I work as a freelance Creative Director, Photographer and Curator for my exhibitions series Container Love, which entails creating concepts, stories and experiences that are meaningful and relevant for my clients.
How did you discover that the creative world is right for you? Was there a time in your life that you credit to this discovery? Which train of events did bring you to where you are today?
To be frank, it wasn’t a real discovery that this universe would be the right one for me – it was a gut feeling that I pursued from the beginning and it never proved me wrong. The only other option would have been to become a dancer. But then again, I would be retired by now, which would be a shame.
In your constantly growing and expanding industry, how and where do you usually find inspiration to keep your work fresh, innovative and relevant?
I am awake, always. And I’m a close observer, I study everything and everyone.
5. If you had to pick one piece of work or project that you are most proud of, especially for the creative work and innovation it required rather than its recognition or industry success, what would it be?
It’s definitely the MS Dockville festival. In contrast to usual agency work, the ideas and concepts had to be realized within a few weeks or days - sometimes within a few hours. And there’s no second chance. There is only this one moment when everything falls into place, when everything has to work in order to offer the visitors a spectacular experience. The great thing about it was that you would get instant feedback from people - and most of the time, it was pure love. If that isn’t satisfying, I don’t know what is.
