Cristian Zuzunaga is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Bristol, whose practice spans art, fashion, and design. Renowned for his vibrant use of pixels—an element he describes as “the icon of our time”—Zuzunaga creates colourful visual landscapes that explore the dynamic relationship between analogue and digital technologies, geometric pattern, and the interplay between uniqueness and multiplicity. His work addresses themes of belonging, connection, and contemporary life, offering a thoughtful commentary on how we inhabit and perceive space.
Zuzunaga began his creative journey in 2004 with explorations of geometry and pattern through analogue printing methods, later expanding into digital print technologies. Using geometric shapes—particularly the square—as a foundation, he has produced collections for brands such as Kvadrat, Brintons, Camper, Ligne Roset, and Nanimarquina, and collaborated with institutions including Tate Modern and the V&A. His work has received numerous accolades, including the Augustus Martin Award (2007), the Elle Decoration International Design Award (2011), 1st Prize at ICFF New York (2012), and the Wallpaper* Award for Best Pixellation (2014), and has been exhibited internationally, with solo shows at EB&Flow (London, 2011), Galería Lucía de la Puente (Lima, 2016), and most recently at Galería Único in Barcelona (2025).
He holds a Foundation Degree in Art and Design (2001), a BA in Typography and Graphic Design from the London College of Communication (2005), and an MA in Communication Art and Design from the Royal College of Art (2007). Zuzunaga has contributed to academia as a Visiting Lecturer at both the London College of Communication and the Royal College of Art, and served as a mentor teaching Branding and Identity in De Montfort University’s entrepreneurship programme, The Crucible (2022–2024), and has taken part in public talks and international award juries. His work will be exhibited nationally at the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair in 2024.
From 2010 to 2023, he ran his eponymous label, Zuzunaga, producing sustainable fashion and home accessories and gaining international recognition for his innovative designs. In 2023, he co-founded Frankenstein Press, a printmaking studio, gallery, and creative workshop in Bristol with his wife, Anna Ruiz, where he also teaches letterpress. The space functions as both a personal practice hub and a platform for collaboration, teaching, and analogue exploration.
Most recently, Zuzunaga has expanded into mural painting. In 2024, he exhibited at DesignMiami, hand-painting the word “Barcelona” pixelated using only a brush, and in 2025, he completed a new mural in Barcelona, opening fresh avenues in his practice. These projects continue his exploration of colour, pattern, and the fusion of traditional and contemporary techniques, with a focus on fostering meaningful connections with his audience.
