John Rivas

John Rivas (born August 9, 1964) is an award-winning [1] graphic designer and publicist,[1] and the creator of the comic strip BONZZO The Comic Strip.[2]

John Rivas
John Rivas at the General Archive of Puerto Rico, May 10, 2012
Born (1964-08-09) August 9, 1964
Aibonito, Puerto Rico
OccupationArtist, writer, publicist, professor
NationalityPuerto Rican / American
Notable worksBONZZO The Comic Strip, graphic design, advertising campaigns
Notable awardsMultiple GDUSA American Graphic Design Awards, 2011-2014
See this article's awards section
Website
www.johnrivaspublicidad.com

He has a BA in graphic arts, cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico; a master's degree in digital graphic design from Atlantic University; and various instructor certifications and accreditations in graphic design, digital photography and operating systems.

He is also a graduate program professor at Atlantic University, professional cartoonist and illustrator, advertising manager, photojournalist, writer, editor, commercial character designer, photographer, artist, and graphic design and advertising professional Instructor.[3][4][5]

Early years

John Rivas (born Juan Antonio Rivas, Jr.) was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico and raised in Orocovis, Puerto Rico.[5]

Professional career

Rivas has about 30 years of experience, from the analog traditional artwork to the new digital era in graphic design. He also has experience on making campaign and marketing strategies for his customers. He is the president of John Rivas Publicidad, an advertising agency located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His agency offers services including digital graphic art design, advertising in general, media placing, digital photography, and web design.[5]

He has written several technology reviews, published in the Puerto Rico Daily Sun newspaper. Some of them are: "Protect your iPhone 4 with a Ballistic Case",[6] "Hello Moshi: The First “Listening Alarm Clock”",[7] "iPhone 4 Tough Cases: Ballistic vs. Otterbox",[8] "Comfortable Browsing with ErgoMotion Mouse",[9] "Avoid Overweight Luggage Charges with Balanzza Mini",[10]"Hercules Portable Speakers for a Busy Life",[11] "Nica sunrise… a sleek and stylish bluetooth headset",[12] "Car and desk dock chargers for the nica sunrise",[13] "Best Watch Kits for iPod Nano: TikTok + LunaTik",[14] "Smartphones Protection with BullGuard Mobile Security 10",[15] "V-MODA Remix Remote: More than Just a Pair of Headphones",[16] "A Very Cool Gadget: Swann’s PenCam Mini Video Camera & Recorder",[17] "MountMe Freedom for iPad",[18] and "Get a Better Grip of your iPad with the HandStand".[19]

As a photojournalist, he has published several articles, including "UPR Carolina Graphic Arts Students visit HERA Printing",[20] "Festival Tierra Adentro",[21] "Gearing up for excellence",[22] and "Local cartoonist Nadia Martin dies".[23]

As an ACI (Adobe Certified Instructor), Rivas has given various "Adobe Photoshop CS4 and its use in Graphic Arts" seminars to students at the University of Puerto Rico. In these seminars, students are able to learn about the art of photography, computers and its use in the graphic arts.[1][24] On 2011, he joined Microdata Training as the Adobe Master Instructor for their Adobe Training programs. [25]

Rivas is a member of the International Society of Caricature Artists[26] and also became a member of the IAVA (International Academy of the Visual Arts) on 2012.[27] The IAVA is a membership-based organization of leading professionals from various disciplines of the visual arts dedicated to embracing progress and the evolving nature of traditional and interactive media.[28][29]

Certifications

[5][25]

  • ACI Adobe Certified Instructor: Photoshop CS4 - InDesign CS3 - Illustrator CS3 - Dreamweaver CS3 - Flash CS3, Adobe Web Specialist, Acrobat 9 Professional
  • ACE Adobe Certified Expert: Photoshop CS4 - InDesign CS3 - Illustrator CS3 - Dreamweaver CS3 - Flash CS3, Adobe Web Specialist, Acrobat 9 Professional
  • MCT - Microsoft Certified Trainer (Microsoft)
  • IC3 Instructor - Internet And Computing Core Certification – Global Standard 3(Certiport)
  • Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist 10.4 (Apple)

BONZZO The Comic Strip

Since he was young, Rivas had on his mind the development of a cartoon character. After he developed the character, he used it to promote his advertising agency. A few years later, the character which he named BONZZO was officially born.[2]

There are no syndicates in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, but BONZZO was first published in 1998 in two of the four leading newspapers in Puerto Rico, El Mundo and El Vocero. His comic strips were published in both newspapers daily. Later, it was also published in El Reportero newspaper in Huntsville, Alabama. It was also published, years later, in the Primera Hora newspaper in Puerto Rico.[30] As of 2012, BONZZO's daily comic strip may be viewed at his website.[2]

Rivas describes "BONZZO" as a young likable adult facing life with a child's mentality. Rivas designed some special "BONZZO" strips commemorating NASA's achievements, including "Beyond the Moon", a calendar of the year 2000 honoring Hispanic heritage.[31]

While U.S. syndication is one of Rivas's immediate goals, he also hopes to create a "BONZZO" theme park, "Bonzzolandia".[31]

NASA's BONZZO Award
Charles Scales, Art Stephenson, and John Rivas with NASA's BONZZO Award

NASA also instated the BONZZO Award, a pint-size BONZZO statue that will be given annually to the individual who makes the biggest contribution to NASA's Hispanic program. On October 12, 2000, Charles H. Scales, the director of Equal Opportunity at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, was the first recipient of this award: the statue was signed by Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson, Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro Rosselló and John Rivas,[32] who donated the statue to honor the work of Hispanics at the Marshall Center.[33] “Charles is an excellent choice for this first award,” said Elia Ordonez, Hispanic Employment Program manager at the Marshall Center. “He has contributed much to the quality of life in our community and, in particular, the Hispanic community at Marshall.”[33][34]

In 1999, Rivas exposed four of BONZZO's NASA-themed comic strips at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida at its Hispanic Luncheon & Art Show, which was dedicated to him.[35]

NASA celebrated last year's "Hispanic Heritage Month" at the Kennedy Space Center with an exhibit of BONZZO comic strips. A life-sized BONZZO figure marched in the 2004 Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrated in New York City.[32]

Later years
BONZZO's "Discovery of Puerto Rico" comic strip
John Rivas, Rafael Ithier (from El Gran Combo de PR), and Miguel Muñoz (President of the University of Puerto Rico) at "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo".
Luz Nereida Vélez, from Noticentro 4, interviews John Rivas at "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo".

The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo

On May 10, 2012 the General Archive of Puerto Rico opened its doors to the exposition "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo". Over 25 of BONZZO's comic strips and memorabilia were shown there until October 31, 2012. That same day, on the exposition's opening, BONZZO had its second USPS pictorial cancellation, in which the General Archive of Puerto Rico, located in San Juan, became "The Art of Bonzzo at the General Archive of Puerto Rico Station". BONZZO also got his First USPS Commemorative Stamp that day. The 45 cent postage seal will perpetuate Rivas’ character in Bonzzo in the chronicles of American history.[3][5][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]

Zero Violence Cartoon Exposition

On 2012 John Rivas also participated, with various of his BONZZO works, in a zero violence cartoon exposition held at the General Archive of Puerto Rico.[46]

Recent awards

Also on 2012, Rivas won four American Packaging Design Awards, awarded by the prestigious Graphic Design USA for four BONZZO packaging designs: "Big Comic Strips BONZZO Mobile Carrying Cart", "Big Comic Strips BONZZO Exposition Promo Life-Size Stand", "The Art of BONZZO Book Case", and "100% The Art of Comic Strips BONZZO Gift Box".[47][48] "To me, it has been a very pleasant surprise and a great honor to be recognized with four American Package Design Awards 2012 from the prestigious Graphic Design USA," said Rivas, creator of the comic book BONZZO, which has been published by several media on the Island and the United States.[48] The four designs created by Rivas, were selected from more than 1,600 competitors from across the United States mainland and elsewhere and its territories. Rivas' four packaging design winners are published in the journal GDUSA and on the website of the organization.[48] The American Package Design Awards celebrates well-designed and well-executed graphic designs of course, but also the power of design to advance the brand promise and forge an emotional connection with the buyer at the moment of truth, according to a press release.[49]

Rivas's designs received this same year five Communicators Awards: Communicator Award of Excellence 2012 Integrated Campaign Winner (Gold Award), for "BONZZO The Comic Strip", Communicator Award of Excellence 2012 Print Winner (Gold Award), for "Posters Promo BONZZO Postal Stamp", Communicator Award of Distinction 2012 Print (Silver Award) for the Logo UNEX - Universidad Extendida UPR in Bayamón, made for the University of Puerto Rico in Bayamón for the Continued (Post-Graduate Education Department), Communicator Award of Distinction 2012 Print (Silver Award) for the Logo CuCo The Bull, made for the University of Puerto Rico in Cayey, and Communicator Award of Distinction 2012 Website Winner (Silver Award), for "BONZZO The Comic Strip/BONZZO La Tirilla Comica Website".[50][51]

The Comic Strip is a Serious Thing: BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado

On December 1, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., John Rivas opened BONZZO’s exposition, “The Comic Strip is a Serious Thing: BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado” at the University of Puerto Rico, Utuado Campus (CORMO).[52] The title of the exhibition: "The comic book is a serious thing," is a line taken from the speech of the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, Hon. Kenneth D. McClintock, on May 10, 2012, during the opening of "BONZZO's Big Comic Strips Expo: The Art of BONZZO Visit the General Archive of Puerto Rico".[40]

See also

References
  1. The Daily Sun Staff (November 10, 2010). "Computer science students just recently hit the jackpot". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  2. Leonard, H.J. (9 November 2011). "From the newspaper to the web: BONZZO goes to cyberspace". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  3. BONZZO.com
  4. John Rivas Publicidad
  5. John Rivas | LinkedIn
  6. Rivas, John (July 18, 2010). "Protect your iPhone 4 with a Ballistic Case". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  7. Rivas, John (August 22, 2010). "Hello Moshi: The First "Listening Alarm Clock"". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  8. Rivas, John (August 22, 2010). "iPhone 4 Tough Cases: Ballistic vs. Otterbox". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  9. Rivas, John (November 7, 2010). "Comfortable Browsing with ErgoMotion Mouse". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  10. Rivas, John (November 7, 2010). "Avoid Overweight Luggage Charges with Balanzza Mini". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  11. Rivas, John (December 5, 2010). "Hercules Portable Speakers for a Busy Life". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  12. Rivas, John (January 16, 2011). "Nica sunrise… a sleek and stylish bluetooth headset". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  13. Rivas, John (January 16, 2011). "Car and desk dock chargers for the nica sunrise". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  14. Rivas, John (April 10, 2011). "Best Watch Kits for iPod Nano: TikTok + LunaTik". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  15. Rivas, John (April 10, 2011). "Smartphones Protection with BullGuard Mobile Security 10". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  16. Rivas, John (April 24, 2011). "V-MODA Remix Remote: More than Just a Pair of Headphones". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  17. Rivas, John (April 24, 2011). "A Very Cool Gadget: Swann's PenCam Mini Video Camera & Recorder". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  18. Rivas, John (April 24, 2011). "MountMe Freedom for iPad". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  19. Rivas, John (May 1, 2011). "Get a Better Grip of your iPad with the HandStand". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  20. Rivas, John (March 15, 2010). "UPR Carolina Graphic Arts Students visit HERA Printing". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  21. Rivas, John (April 6, 2010). "Festival Tierra Adentro". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  22. Rivas, John (April 17, 2011). "Gearing up for excellence". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  23. Rivas, John (November 30, 2011). "Local cartoonist Nadia Martin dies". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  24. The Daily Sun Staff (October 18, 2010). "John Rivas – ACI @ UPR in Ponce=Puerto Rico Daily Sun".
  25. The Daily Sun Staff (April 24, 2011). "MicroData appoints John Rivas Adobe Master Instructor". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  26. "Caricature Artist John Rivas - International Society of Caricature Artists". Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  27. "Member Directory - International Academy of the Visual Arts". Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  28. Daily Sun Staff (October 2, 2012). "John Rivas becomes an International Academy of the Visual Arts member". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  29. "18th Annual Communicator Awards Fact Sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  30. Aponte Alequín, Héctor (December 5, 2006). "Les sacan punta a las cosas simples". Primera Hora.
  31. Hispanic Heritage Plaza Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine
  32. NASA News Archived 2009-04-14 at the Wayback Machine
  33. Madison, Lynnette (October 19, 2000). "Charles Scales recognized for efforts at Marshall's National Hispanic Heritage Month fiesta". Marshall Star.
  34. "Hon. Pedro Rosselló (Gobernador de Puerto Rico) & John Rivas (Creador de BONZZO) en La Fortaleza".
  35. "NASA's Hispanic Luncheon & Art Show 1999". NASA. October 12, 1999.
  36. USPS Postal Bulletin 22336 (5-3-12), page 103
  37. Benítez, Manuel A. (19 May 2012). "Bonzzo becomes postage stamp". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  38. Vélez, Luz Nereida (May 10, 2012). "Sello Conmemorativo a BONZZO". Noticentro 4.
  39. "El Arte de BONZZO Visita el Archivo General de PR - Actividad de Apertura".
  40. "El Arte de BONZZO Visita el Archivo General de PR - Previo Actividad de Apertura".
  41. Ramos, Zenaida (July 3, 2012). ""Bonzzo" invade el Archivo General". El Vocero. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013.
  42. Gutiérrez, Carlos F. (June 20, 2012). "BONZZO ya tiene su sello postal". De Todo Carolina.
  43. "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico". Puerto Rico Daily Sun. December 21, 2011.
  44. "BONZZO Expo Continue". Puerto Rico Daily Sun. June 13, 2012.
  45. "El Arte de BONZZO Visita el Archivo General de Puerto Rico". De Todo (Carolina). January 17, 2012.
  46. The Daily Sun staff (December 5, 2011). "Local cartoonists' works to be exhibited".
  47. GDUSA APDA Winning Entries - sponsored by Neenah Paper Archived 2012-04-20 at the Wayback Machine
  48. The Daily Sun Staff (April 20, 2012). "John Rivas wins 4 of 4 at GDUSA". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  49. The Daily Sun Staff (March 26, 2012). "Local publicist wins four package design awards=Puerto Rico Daily Sun".
  50. "The Communicator Awards Winners (letter J, page 10)". Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  51. The Daily Sun Staff (September 21, 2012). "John Rivas, local Graphic Designer & Publicist, wins five 2012 Communicator Awards". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
  52. Meléndez, María Isabel (October 11, 2012). "BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado". Puerto Rico Daily Sun.
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