LET'S PLAY! . . . RUKE, is a Creative Entrepreneur and Artist who Transforms Visions into Reality. He has worked with Intellectual Properties of Disney, Marvel and Chico’s. He started his first company, Ruke Illustrations, 2 Decades ago and grew it into blink, a full-service Creative Marketing Studio. After great success, he upped the fun by jumping into the Video Game Industry, first representing them and then creating them. In 2010, all the experience and talents were combined to create Game Nation, an Experiential Video Game Theme Park and Resort concept. He enjoys spending quality time with his family playing Video Games, Legos or working on miniature sets and worlds inspired by Star Wars.
FUN FACTS
• Ruke has worked with Intellectual Properties of Disney, Marvel and Chico’s
• Privately Trained as Artist Since the Third Grade
• Still Has Every Star Wars Toy Since Childhood
• Married Wife 3 Months After 1st Date...It’s been 19+ Years with 4 Daughters
• Plays Video Games with the Family on a Weekly Basis
• Started First Company 22+ Years Ago and is Still Making Money With It Today
In 1993, RUKE opened RUKE Illustrations (www.RUKE.com). He focused on themed and branded spaces. When most artists/illustrators didn’t want to touch a computer, RUKE embraced it. Not only was he able to do hand painted murals, but the use of technology enabled him to contribute to the overall design and theme of entertainment venues and destinations.
Understanding that “Brands are felt, not read”, RUKE expanded his illustration company in 1998 into blink, a non-traditional creative agency (www.blinkStyle.com). The atmosphere offers employees the artistic freedom to create revolutionary work while making clients successful. RUKE has always looked for the client’s uniqueness in branding, product image and sales cycles, all of which separate the client from their competition. This was a major shift in his career. He was now able to represent projects and companies from an advertising and marketing capacity, as well as contribute to the creative and the development of their products and services. His drive and passion keep blink on the forefront of art and communication.
By blink’s eighth year, RUKE decided to expand from entertainment and destinations to the video game industry. The studio didn’t stop at just representing video games; it helped develop them. The demand for RUKE to personally illustrate novel covers, stage productions and a wide range of digital media allowed him to revisit his roots. RUKE also was asked to start lecturing on industry experiences at multiple venues including the University of Miami.
In 2010, RUKE combined all of his experience and talents to create Game Nation, the world’s first Experiential Video Game Theme Park and Resort (www.GameNationParks.com). With total immersion and complete interactivity, Game Nation merges video game mechanics with physical themed attractions, creating some of the most unreal experiences
gamers have ever had.
RUKE prides himself in creating cultural brands. Being a keen observer of not only audience demographics, but more importantly, their psychographics and socialgraphics, he connects brands to their customers’ world. He’s had the honor of contributing to the success of hundreds of Brands, Products and Companies.
Because of his passion and drive for entrepreneurs, RUKE consults monthly, free of charge, with no less than 3 start-ups, entrepreneurs, and businesses looking to advance to the next level. He helps them see a previously unrecognized future for their companies. RUKE does this through several international networking groups as an effort to give back.
RUKE served the South Florida chapter of the IGDA (International Game Developer Association) as an advisor to the Board and has done special projects to help shape their future. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for World Game Executives, an international group of gaming professionals.
Some of the ways that RUKE enjoys spending quality time is by playing Video Games, Legos and working on miniature sets & worlds inspired by Star Wars. He has all the Star Wars toys he has been collecting since childhood. To see it for yourself, visit www.TheBestStarWarsCollectionEver.com.
