I'm a Senior Graphic Designer on Foothill's Marketing Department, and I spend my off
hours building things to scare people. The two jobs have more in common than you'd
think. Both are about making people feel something before they know why.
I was born and raised in Southwest Texas and left for the University of Texas at Austin,
where I earned a BA in Theater. I wrote, directed, and acted in plays across Austin,
Seattle, and San Francisco, and taught myself graphic design through independent study
and good mentors. In San Francisco I worked in nonprofits and built a design career
that now spans more than 25 years, the last decade of it here at Foothill.
Film is my other obsession, especially horror, period dramas, and foreign cinema.
In 2024 I wrote, directed, shot, and edited my first short horror film, and in Spring
2025 I graduated from Foothill with an AS-T in Film, TV and Media Studies. What started
as watching turned into making.
At home, my workshop is where spooky ideas take shape. My theater training now plays
out as an annual Halloween yard haunt, in its 18th season and winner of the City of
Santa Clara's Best of the Best Award in 2024. For the last five years, I've focused
on Mexican folklore and cultural traditions, blending installation art and storytelling
into an immersive experience. The companion site, SenorScary.com, is where I document
my work and practice web design, writing, photography, social media, and marketing.
After years of building scary things, I've learned not to fear what comes next.
About My Name
I've returned to my given name, Gerardo, and go by the shorter Gera (pronounced "Heh-rah").
I used to go by Jerry, a name I took on through assimilation and the desire to fit
into American culture. It meant putting other people's comfort ahead of my own identity.
Reconnecting with my birth name is part of honoring my Mexican heritage. The more
I learn about my culture, the prouder I am of the name that represents me. 🇲🇽
