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Art Director

David Cruey

David Cruey serves as the Art Director at Tropical Design T-Shirts, a leading screen printing and graphic design company based in Melbourne, Florida. With over a decade of experience in the screen-printing industry, David brings a wealth of creativity and technical expertise to the company, guiding the artistic vision for custom t-shirt designs. 

His leadership in the art department ensures that client concepts are transformed into vibrant, high-quality prints that meet the diverse needs of Tropical Design’s clientele.

“For 23 years at Tropical Design and over 30 in the industry, I’ve blended fine art, screen printing, and storytelling to create designs that resonate. Outside the studio, I’m painting, writing poetry, or embracing the outdoors—fueled by love, faith, my dog, and crafting lasting work.”

Based at the company’s facility at 397 Pineda Court, David oversees the process of turning client ideas into finished garments, from initial sketches to final silk-screened products. 

He collaborates with a team of skilled freelance artists to develop artwork, leveraging his background in realistic graphite renderings and abstract acrylic painting to create designs that resonate with customers. His work has contributed to Tropical Design’s reputation for excellence, including an award-winning design displayed in the Smithsonian Institution.

 
A lifelong artist, David comes from a creative family of artists and musicians, having honed his craft since childhood. Since moving to Florida’s Space Coast, he has immersed himself in the local culture, drawing inspiration from the region’s coastal and tropical aesthetic to inform his designs. In addition to his role at Tropical Design, David is an accomplished painter, known for his abstract acrylic works that blend nature and energy, often created spontaneously as the piece evolves.
 
David’s ability to translate client visions into compelling artwork, combined with his technical knowledge of screen printing, makes him a cornerstone of Tropical Design’s creative process. For inquiries about custom designs or artwork, contact David and the team at Tropical Design T-Shirts at (321) 255-9030.