Meet Andrew, Dominic, Ryan Ruiz, Cancino, Fitzpatrick of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew, Dominic, Ryan Ruiz, Cancino, Fitzpatrick

Hi Andrew, Dominic, Ryan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Andrew Ruiz:
I’m Andrew Ruiz, and my passion for art and cinematography began early. Growing up, I was always creating—whether it was filming, making clothes, or rapping to my terribly made but, passionate beats. I was the type of kid to always wrangle up the neighborhood to film a skit for youtube or make a boy band. I was constantly exploring new ways to express myself. While I’ve dabbled in many forms of art, the camera has always been my greatest love, and that passion led me to pursue a bachelor’s in Cinematography at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Cinematography and photography are more than just skills to me—visual thinking is my way of life. A key experience that put me on this path was when I filmed my life with a VHS filter for three years during high school. It started to gain attention at school, becoming a way to highlight not only my own art but also the work of others I admired. That’s where I first found my purpose: creating something great for myself while remembering the people who helped me along the way. Growing up as the oldest sibling with two autistic younger brothers gave me a fresh perspective that most people don’t have. From an early age, I had to become both a teacher and a protector, and that experience pushed me to be empathetic. I learned how to care deeply for others and invest real effort in helping them succeed. This sense of responsibility and care is at the heart of everything I do, whether it’s for my art or for the people I work with. In high school, my friends and I tried to build a platform to showcase our art, and though it gained some attention, we didn’t stick with it. However, after most of us have graduated from college, we decided to bring that dream back—this time with the knowledge, experience, and connections we’ve built over the years. In August 2024, we officially started planning what would become Don’t Miss the Vision—a collective platform where we combine our different talents in illustration, design, film, and graphic design to showcase not just our own work but the work of other artists and anyone in the creative industry as well. Our website acts as a ‘Collective Portfolio,’ where people can see the artists we work with and connect with them. Our team consists of some amazing people: Dominic Cancino, a co-founder and website designer who recently graduated from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in design; Ryan Fitzpatrick, a graphic designer, who handles our social media and created our robot mascot, ‘V1-7 the Robot’. Renee De Villa, who with her own magazine ‘Devilla Diaries’ has collaborated with us for a special issue on our artists. Ezra Prince, another great graphic designer who brings a cheerful spin to our designs. Francisco Falcon (GX_Shoots), a videographer will be helping film our events with his multitude of vintage cameras. Finally, Asia Isabella Villani, an assistant director in film. she will be using her talents to help keep us on time during our events. I’ve also been working with the fashion resale and event company Open Never Closed in Melrose for over a year now. My boss gave me the opportunity to use his building on Melrose to host events, and we’ve been organizing our first free artist showcase and concert to help get these talented artists seen. We’re currently working with over 30 artists and building something special. As for me personally, I’m someone who brings positivity and humor into everything I do. I think laughter is one of the best forms of connection, and I’m always trying to make others smile. My art tends to go in two very extreme directions—either dark, serious, and emotionally heavy or bright, cheerful, and full of humor. That’s just how I see life—there are moments of deep intensity, but there’s always room for joy and laughter. I’m committed to helping them get the recognition they deserve and ensuring that no one feels left out. Don’t Miss the Vision is more than just a project; it’s a culmination of everything I’ve ever wanted to do—to create art and uplift others along the way.

Dominic Cancino:
“Hey, I’m Dominic Cancino, an Industrial Designer and creative thinker. My journey through freelance work and personal exploration has led me to a wide range of disciplines, including prop making, illustration, graphic design, and mixed media arts. I graduated from the College for Creative Studies (CCS) with a degree in Industrial Design this past May. During my time at CCS, I interned with Milwaukee Tools at their headquarters in Wisconsin, and worked on contract projects with both international brands like Media and local companies such as Borg Warner, an electric car charging station supplier. In addition to these roles, I pursued freelance prop-making, specializing in foam and wood finishing, painting, and weathering. My clients ranged from the Detroit Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, and NFL Draft to the Detroit Zoo, spanning the last two years of my college experience. Since graduating and returning home, I’ve continued freelance work in design, graphic design, prop making, and illustration. This flexibility has helped me expand my network and ultimately led to my involvement with ‘Don’t Miss the Vision.’ Through a shared vision with Andrew, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to the gallery’s evolution, from designing ‘V1-7 the Robot’ to developing a magazine to include artists who couldn’t attend, whether due to logistical challenges or commitments with our partner organizations. Together, we’re crafting a fresh gallery experience that bridges art and collaboration in exciting ways.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick:
I’ve always gravitated towards art. I got my first opportunity to work as an artist/designer in high school, when one of my good friends Mark started a brand called Bengal. During my time working on Bengal I created logos, graphics, animations, and filmed one of our skateboarding videos. I worked on Bengal for 4 years, then decided to start studying graphic design at College of the Canyons. COC is where I really came into my own as a designer and I’m currently finishing up my AA.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been pretty normal. Ups and downs but for just starting this year with only three months on us, we’ve been doing pretty great with where our goals are . Some of the struggles have been the normal stuff with hosting events, managing artists, and working as one big team. I can say for myself (Andrew), keeping everyone on time with deadlines and producing work quickly has been something that has tested us as a brand. We’ve had moments of crunch and scares in finances but the one thing I’ll say is we always make sure to find a solution. Also, this is the first time we’ve done something to this scale for my team so we’ve had to learn everything quickly. For example, making the website, working with multiple companies, collaborating on a magazine, finding artists who want to work with us, selling our ideas and goals to people, and hosting big scale events. But we’ve managed to do everything we’ve wanted so I believe we’re on a good path.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Andrew Ruiz:
I am a working cinematographer with P.A.E. Studios, where I’ve been part of the team for over three years. In that time, I’ve shot numerous concerts, short films, commercials, and a variety of other projects. Additionally, I collaborate with Open Never Closed, handling their Instagram reels, ads, and serving as the media director for their events and concerts. Beyond my work with these companies, I run my own production company, Vision Productions, which has produced music videos for artists like Jake :3 and Nesa. Alongside cinematography, I also do photography and editing, developing a distinctive style known for harsh shadows and noir lighting. One of my notable experiences was working as a grip on the Master’s College Senior Thesis film ‘A Time for Everything’, which went on to win the 2024 Digital Cinema and Arts Award for Best Cinematography. I’m also the creator of Don’t Miss the Vision, where I oversee all business logistics and manage each artist involved. My creative pursuits extend beyond film—I’ve produced music, written editorials for a hip-hop radio station, and composed poetry and scripts. What sets me apart is my mindset: I don’t believe in failure. There’s nothing that will stop me from becoming a great artist, a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (A.S.C.) and helping other artists achieve their dreams. People trust me because I believe in them like no one else does. I approach every challenge with positivity and treat mistakes as opportunities to improve. I was raised to never let obstacles hold me back and to help those who may not be able to help themselves. I genuinely care about others’ success just as much as I care about my own, which is something you don’t always find in others. I just wanna win, and take the people with me.

Dominic Cancino:
As a recent graduate and freelance Industrial Designer, I’ve been expanding my creative footprint across a variety of projects. In addition to co-organizing and leading the graphic and design efforts for ‘Don’t Miss the Vision,’ I’ve embraced diverse illustration and design opportunities. These range from album artwork for ‘Hard Count,’ a Detroit-based hardcore band, to prop design for the SAUGUS dance team, where I created functional, movable chairs, and packaging design for a confidential recreational client. My multifaceted approach to design stems from an extensive college experience, where I pushed the boundaries of eco-conscious and multifunctional design. I’ve developed innovative solutions, such as combining surfing and hydrofoiling and transforming recycled water bottles into 3D-printable filament. As well a thorough design process through research and ideation to find the most effective solution or design. I focus on exploring untapped, niche areas of design. Whether working on complex projects or as part of a team, I am committed to bringing creative solutions to life. I thrive in collaborative environments, always driving toward the full realization of a vision, rather than settling for a fraction of its potential.

Ryan Fitzpatrick:
I do art, design, illustration, photography, and videography. I’m probably most known for my illustrations and design work. I’m very proud of progress as a creative. I’ve grown so much in the past 5 years and I’m very excited to see where the future takes me. What sets me apart as a creative is my influences and experiences in life.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
We’ve learned the world can change instantly and things are never certain. You always have to be prepared for whatever comes in life. It was a great reminder to everyone to take care of your health. You never know when you might be locked down, or gone. It brought a real sense of urgency to us. It might be one of the reasons Don’t Miss the Vision was sprung up so fast once we had the time. To not regret anything.

Pricing:

• We operate as a free platform

Contact Info:

• Website: Dontmissthevision.com , https://www.dcancinodesigns.com/
• Instagram: @Dontmissthevision @andrews.vision @dcancino_designs @x2ultra
• Facebook: @Dontmissthevision
• Twitter: @Dontmissthevision
• Youtube: @Dontmissthevision @Miss3dShots

Image Credits
dcancinodesigns

Devilladiaries

Dontmissthevision