Mario Puig was born on March 22, 1973, and left us all too soon on December 15, 2008.
Mario first worked with us at JLOOP as a freelance designer in 2006 and joined us as a full-time designer in November of that year. He was our lead designer through August of 2007 when he left to work for Sapient.
From the very beginning we could tell that Mario was an artist with deep convictions and a great passion for design. In our first meetings – when we talked about working on a few logo sketches and items for a client’s site (that he would later entirely design for us) Mario was soft-spoken. He asked probing questions and took great interest in discovering the essence of the company and the vision for the project. He seemed to be a great fit for the way that we approach our design work at JLOOP.
Our first impressions were very accurate. And although he did not always remain soft-spoken (he fought hard for the things he believed in) Mario revealed himself to be an artist of the highest integrity and a designer with an exquisitely beautiful eye. His attention to detail was unrivaled and he brought the design-threshold of our growing company to a new level during his stay with us.
I often used to joke with Mario that I had to be careful what notes I gave him because the slightest change to a layout just might cause him to have to stay up all night in a redesign. Not for the client – not for me – but for him. It always had to be perfect to his eye. Even though the request might just be to extend a line a few pixels or darken a color a bit – Mario could see the impact on the entirety of the design and he would spend hours (literally hours) adjusting the rest of the elements to match (and god forbid if the change gave him a new idea – that could take days to play out). He was passionate about the interplay of design elements – believed in a healthy respect for the formal structures of design (like grids and columns) – loved typography – and was always ready for a challenge.
One of the biggest projects that Mario worked on while he was at JLOOP was EarthFolio. EarthFolio was a challenging project from many angles and we had been working on it closely for quite a while. It wasn’t until Mario got involved artistically that the project really started to fly. He brought together the challenging architectural needs of the site with a gorgeous yet simple design. He worked many long hours directly with our client as well as collaborating heavily with JLOOPers Tim Henager and Jim Carter to build a very complicated Flash site. We all wanted desperately for the project to be a success and Mario literally lived it – for months.
Another of Mario’s major projects at JLOOP was the rebranding and website design of MHP (formerly Myers Houghton and Partners). So lets see… financial services and structural engineering… not exactly the sexiest projects – but Mario tackled them with the right mix of elegance, formality and ingenuity. Beautiful work.
Some of Mario’s other projects with us include the initial concepts and design direction of sites such as conduitdevelopment.com, cityonahillproductions.com, and primalalchemy.com. Its not hard to see his immense talent.
It was a privilege to have Mario as a part of our team at JLOOP. We don’t think of our company as just a place to work. We are a bit of a family here at JLOOP. We lift each other up and we celebrate each others’ talents. We work hard and we share in the passion of that work. But we also have lives. We care about each other and we have been immensely fortunate to have been blessed with amazing people as a part of our JLOOP family throughout our 8 years of doing this work. All told there have been 19 employees at JLOOP and each and every one has been special to us. Mario is a unique and integral piece of the puzzle that makes up what JLOOP is today. We are better for having had him with us. We have forever been touched by his spirit – as people, as friends, as co-workers, as artists, and as people striving to do good.
Mario and I had our share of late night talks after long days of work. We shared conversation about life’s struggles. To me, it seemed Mario approached his life in the same way he approached his design – in constant search of balance, with a healthy respect for structure, and a hopeful pursuit of harmony – all wound together by a deep and resonating passion. He told me many times that he “just wanted to do great work”. And by great, Mario really meant great (underlined and capitalized). I know his decision to leave JLOOP wasn’t an easy one. He was living a life full of many transitions at that time and I respected the fact that his life journey seemed to be calling on him to make this move. From our team of 8 at JLOOP to a massive crew at Sapient – not a transition to take lightly. He knew it, and I knew it, and we were at peace in knowing that Mario was reaching for a different rung.
I am shaken. Shaken by the loss of a friend. Shaken by such a great talent being taken from us in what should have been his brightest hour. I am thankful for the time Mario was with us – by the legacy he leaves behind at JLOOP. I am strengthened by the desire to do great work – as Mario would have us do.
All of us at JLOOP send our heartfelt condolences to the Puig family. We especially pray for Mario’s children – Cristiane and Oliver.
Farewell sweet Mario.
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Comments ( 16 )
Jay, well spoken.. eloquent, and all very true. Another site not to be forgotten by our dear friend is http://domaproperties.com
He blessed us with this early on, and I as well have many memories of long nights discussing the tiniest of detail that he just would not give up on until it was perfect. I can remember so many times we met up after work for coffee to talk about various projects, mario always had his sketchbook and pen in hand, ready to draw, ready to do something “great”. Sometimes after hours of artistic talk I just thought Mario needed to let his brain vent from all the creativity he had stored in his mind. He taught me so much, and I learned more from him than he’ll ever know.
I miss him.
Jim Carter added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
2:36 am
Although Mario’s time at JLOOP only overlapped mine by a month or so, I was fortunate enough to sit at an adjoining desk. What conversations he used to start! I felt as if I had walked into an art theory course. It was obvious that he was intensely passionate about design and was a true believer in design as art.
Daniel added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
10:48 am
Thanks for this post Jay, it really brings the memories flooding back. Mario was indeed a great artist, but more-so an all around great man. I’ve never, to this day, worked with a more dedicated and talented artist. Our random conversations about God knows what, either over IM, coffee, or just outside having a smoke will always burn in my mind. Because of Mario, my son’s favorite breakfast is scrambled eggs with hotdog.
He will be greatly missed by all.
Tim added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
12:31 pm
Jay thanks for such a lovely blog in remembrance of my brother. So many times he would come home from working at with you all stoked about earthfolio. His time working there was the happiest I had seen him. As his brother he was great friend, design teacher and mentor. Our hearts go out to you and your outfit.
Omar Puig added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
1:31 pm
Jay,
Your eloquent and kind words about our son, Mario, brought tears of joy to my wife Susana and I. We are amazed at the tremendous out pouring of love and concern for Mario and his family from his peers, friends, relatives and professional colleagues.
We always knew Mario would some day become an artist. As a child, he would draw pictures of things with mere tiny dots.Sometimes this process took hours.
I was also amazed and pleased that Mario chose to place a mountain in the Earthfolio site. Our last name, ” Puig”, means mountain in the Spanish- Catalan dialect. This is both a personal statement by Mario and a significant design element in the Earthfolio site. The mountain worked well for both parties.
Our love and our memory of Mario will endure the passage of time just like that mountain of store.
Thank you Jay
Robert and Susana Puig
Robert Puig added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
2:40 pm
The truly human connection Mario created with his vision and gifts will never leave me. He was so humble and respectful of his colleagues, able to communicate with the look in his eye how much he valued individual input and thought from everyone around him.
The world is less bright without him.
We miss you,
Greg
Greg Stratford added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
3:41 pm
Jay,
My condoloences for your loss and particularly for the Puig family. I log onto the Doma property site often and will send a good karmic vibe his way henceforth.
Kapadia
Kapadia added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
4:18 pm
Tks for the post Jay.
I don’t know how to start… Words cannot just describe him. Mario taught me so much in different ways; about life and being a good person. His love of art and music truly inspired me as well. His humbleness flows just like his art, beautiful and pure.
Just wanna say thank you Mario. Your legacy will continue on brotha. I miss you.
You go fly my friend.Jim
jim hsieh added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
9:17 pm
Mario, my friend, I don’t really know what to say. I will never forget your smile and calm nature. I am thankful for the time worked together and proud to be your friend beyond business. Peace be with you bro!
d added these pithy words on
Jan 07 09 at
10:15 pm
Mario, I know that heaven is a more beautiful place because of you. I am certain that there are wonderful colors, textures and shapes for you to play with into eternity. We are so grateful to have had your presence come live at JLOOP. Your warm smile will stay with us forever.
jen christopher added these pithy words on
Jan 08 09 at
4:50 pm
I remember meeting Mario when you guys first started working on our site (one that drove the TED Conference to hire us to cater their closing celebration in Long Beach in February…and that is a hard client to impress!). I was personally struck by his quiet confidence…and that captivating, contagious smile. So sad to hear he is no longer here…his enormous talents will be greatly missed, but like Jen says above…heaven is a more beautiful place because Mario is there…blessings to his family.
Dana Buchanan added these pithy words on
Jan 15 09 at
10:32 am
!!!Newsflash!!!! — Mario is redesigning heaven for God. It’s wacky and quite beautiful.
And you know he is. My name is Ernie Wyles. I knew Mario for over 20 years. We met in junior high and had a friendship that never faltered or swayed. I can confidently say I was his best friend. I mean the guy was my best man at my wedding. I’m still Uncle Ernie to his kids and he was an uncle to mine.
And yet, to read these things about him is amazing. Believe it or not, he was so humble, that as a friend of 20+ years, he didn’t talk to me hardly ever about his work and his creativity. We connected on different planes, talking more about old Warner Bros. cartoons (“I wanna sing-a, about the moon-a, and the June-a, and the spring-a, I wanna sing-a”). OH, and for those who recognize that quote, cudos to you for recognizing Owl Jolsen!!!
But yeah, we would hang out on rooftops late in the wee hours talking about cartoons, Star Wars, passing the 8th grade and beginning high school. Year later, we’d still go to a rooftop and this time discuss kids, and finding that perfect “one”.
It’s just so eye opening to have come to realize just how expansive my boy’s work was. Jesus, the guy had talent. I mean, just the other day I was talking to his mom and dad (who are very much like surrogate parents to me) and telling them this odd story, and I’ll end this post with that.
Omar, you might get a kick out of this one as well….
Mario was a felon. I know this to be a fact, I saw it firsthand. Working in law enforcement, I think I can recognize a felony when I see it and Mario was indeed a felon. I didn’t believe it at first, but I saw it firsthand.
We were probably 13 or 14 years old, and we would frequent a local Pizza Hut just to play video games (Bubble Bobble was our favorite). They had a change machine there and one day Mario told me about a time that he drew a dollar bill by hand, put it into a change machine and had it be accepted. Now I found this hard to believe so I called him on his obvious tall tale and we played our quarters. He always played his a little quicker than mine. I was better at Bubble Bobble than him, one of few things I think as well. Little did I know that the gauntlet had been thrown.
A week later, we went to play some more Bubble Bobble. This time, our boy was armed with my humility. “Check this out, dude”, is what he told me and he pulled out a perfectly drawn (on both sides, mind you) dollar bill on a piece of paper. “Where’d you get that?” was the best I could muster. He grinned. His dimples said it all, man.
Now, I’m an amateur magician myself, and amazement is my game, along with astonishment. Even thinking back, I must admit, that was one hell of a magic trick, except this magic was real!
In went the mocked up bill to the change machine, and out came four quarters. Take that, counterfeiters!
So yes, our boy was a felon as he reproduced money and passed it off as legit. But it was so cool to see, and let’s face it, there are times when cool overrules illegal.
We played four games that day. Mario played three quarters, I played one. We felt it was a fair distribution. He earned it.
Ernie Wyles added these pithy words on
Feb 09 09 at
9:56 am
Fantastic Story Ernie! Thanks for sharing that here.
What a wonderful pleasure it was to meet Mario’s family and friends on Saturday night. We all enjoyed sharing stories and celebrating Mario.
Jay added these pithy words on
Feb 09 09 at
10:59 am
My wife Susana and I want to publicly Thank Jay and his colleagues for coming to Celebrate our son’s Life. We had a very memorable and wonderful experience. Mario’s colleagues not only form JLoop but from Idealab( Kisten Ding and Tom Hughes) and Sapient were all present( even one of Mario’s Cal State LA college profesors). Our family and some of Mario’s good childhood friends were also in attendance.
The day was cold and rainy but this did not stop people from coming to pay their respects. We, his parents, and our family is very appreciative and hold Jay and all his co-workers in very high esteem.
Thank you all!!! from our hearts( de nuestro corazón) Jay we love you!
Robert and Susana Puig and Familia.
Robert Puig added these pithy words on
Feb 21 09 at
7:43 am
It has been 1 1/2 years since our son has been gone, but the deep pain of losing him is still present. We miss him so much. I can’t help but cry when I see his beautiful smile in a picture, remember his warm calmness and his humble heart. I know he is with GOD but I can hardly wait for our Lord to take me so I can see my beautiful son again. Until then, all warmth and kind words from all his friends somehow helps with the pain. Thank you. Mrs. Puig
Susana Puig added these pithy words on
Jun 01 10 at
10:34 pm
Susana – you are in our thoughts and prayers. We all miss sweet Mario. Blessings to you and your family.
jay added these pithy words on
Jun 01 10 at
11:22 pm