Claudia Bracy: Art Director, Creative Tour de Force, Coffee Connoisseur, Texas Ambassador To Brooklyn

What’s your role at Prager Creative?

I am the resident jack of all trades, also known as the Art Director. I bring it all together.

How long have you been designing?

I like to put it this way: I’ve been designing since I could hold a crayon. Design is a part of who I am. In grade school, I was the kid who would doodle in the margins of any piece of paper I could get my hands on—to the frustration of more than a few teachers. Eventually I graduated to costume design as a teenager, and still find inspiration from pattern making. I started college thinking I was going to be a video game designer but soon fell in love with the art and challenge of graphic design and creative direction.

Some say you’re passionate about architecture?

Yes! I’m all about exploring Brooklyn and New York, discovering beauty in old buildings, chipped paint, new construction, scaffolding, brownstones, skyscrapers, and everything in between. I also love applying what I’ve learned from traveling to different countries like Japan and Cuba to my work as a designer and to my perspective of the city I’m in. It’s amazing how different languages shape the lettering, patterns, and colors used on the streets of Havana vs. Tokyo vs. Brooklyn. My fascination with the built environment has recently transformed into a fixation on real estate. My browser history is filled with random locations I’ve plugged into Zillow to see how design standards change from place to place.

What about food? Do you have a go-to place in your neighborhood?

Where do I start. I’m always excited to try a cup of coffee from somewhere new. Right now, my go-to is Cup of Brooklyn. It’s right on the border of Bushwick and Bed-Stuy and offers some really unique creations. If I can’t take a trip outside, I like to experiment with different ways to make coffee at home. I recently made Dalgona, a type of whipped coffee from South Korea. For food, I’m constantly on the hunt for the perfect Pad Thai. I’ve come close to finding it, but I am always open to suggestions!

You grew up in Texas. Are there any stereotypes you’d like to clear up for Left and Right Coasters?

First and foremost: not all of us ride horses. Plus, it’s a totally different game if you’re looking to travel to a different state. It takes eight hours to drive across Texas. From New York, you’d be able to get all the way to Raleigh, NC in that amount of time.

Favorite iconic movie scenes?

I actually love studying the opening credits of films rather than dissecting different movie scenes. The right credits do more than list names—they have to draw the viewer in and execute the right amount of storytelling without giving away too much. My favorite title sequence is the one from Se7en. In general, I love movies with distinct and well thought-out visuals. Some recent movies that have stuck with me are Midsommar and Ex Machina. Of course, Kill Bill Volumes I and II will always be favorites of mine. I’m still waiting on Volume III.

You come from a family of hikers. What’s the highest peak you’ve climbed?

I’ve made it to the top of Mount Elbert, which is the tallest peak in Colorado and the 14th tallest mountain in the US. Some might not expect a graphic designer living in Brooklyn to enjoy the great outdoors as much as I do, but a hike is one of the best activities to do to get a fresh perspective!

Any other words to live by or random facts you’d like to share?

Let’s see…for words to live by, I believe in finding beauty in the unexpected. As for random facts, I’m gearing up for my third half marathon. I also love everything about tattoos but only have one of my own. I would love to get more, but I can’t stop redesigning them in my head.