THIS IS ME

My name is Christopher William Hotz. Most people just call me “Hotz,” which rhymes with “boats.” I grew up outside of Cleveland, Ohio. And truth be told, any negative thing you’ve ever heard about Cleveland is probably true. Spending my formative years in the Midwest gave me a twisted blue-collar work ethic. I don't miss deadlines, I can stay awake longer than most and I honestly love to work. 

I started architecture school at Kent State University and after switching to a fine arts degree (sculpture, printmaking and design,) I finished at Cal State Long Beach. A few years after that I moved to Oregon, and helped start an advertising agency called Nemo. We built it up to 65 people and did absolutely fantastic work for some heavy-hitting brands. 

Throughout those more than 30 years I've enjoyed working in and around the action sports industry; from building snowboards to designing more than 200 of them, creating advertising campaigns, events, team rosters, movie intros, websites, television commercials, environments and laying out magazines. But it wasn't only action brands, I've also worked with schools, motorcycle, insurance, financial, fashion, cannabis and tech companies.

People that know me know that I'm not necessarily a big phone guy. Instead, I enjoy shaking someone's hand, sitting down with them, getting out the whiteboard, solving problems and collaborating. Whether it be with other creatives, account guys, product hounds or even the office manager, I don't care, good ideas come from everywhere. 

FUN FACT: I’ve been struck by lightning twice, once in the hand and once in the neck of all places. And well, since I’m sharing my little-known facts here, I should also let you know that I was also bitten by a shark.

MY FAVORITE THINGS

01. My family

02. Skateboarding

03. The majestic state of Ohio

04. My french bulldog, Pistachio

05. Mountains of sushi

06. The color "clear." Sparkle is my second favorite color

07. Superchunk, Queen, David Bowie, Bob Dylan and Modest Mouse

08. Going just a little bit too fast

09. The smell of ink on paper (I'm old school)

       and, oh God, here it goes, strikes one, two AND three:

10. Sweatpants or as us cool kids call them, “Action Slacks”

Contact: chris@chrishotzdesign.com