Rudy Manning is an award-winning creative director, designer, and educator who believes that creativity can strengthen communities and drive innovation in government. As Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Pastilla—a culture-driven brand and digital design agency based in Los Angeles—Rudy leads teams that help cities and mission-driven organizations communicate with clarity, empathy, and impact.
With over two decades of experience bridging the worlds of Fortune 500 brands and civic transformation, Rudy has built Pastilla into a recognized leader in public-sector innovation. His agency’s portfolio includes initiatives such as the digital optimization of Los Angeles Parks’ mobile app and registration system, the naming and branding of PlayLA, a youth sports organization funded by the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, statewide campaigns for California CASA, and the rebrand of the City of Corona and its new Circle District. Pastilla’s clients also include the CDC, Metrolink, Clean Power Alliance, Amtrak, and multiple city departments across California.
A creative leader who thrives at the intersection of design and civic innovation, Rudy helps government agencies navigate change—turning complexity into clarity through storytelling and design thinking. His work has been recognized by the Anthem Awards, Type Directors Club, Print Regional Design Awards, Telly Awards, IXDA Showcase, American Center for Design 100 Show, One Show Interactive (Silver), and the New York Festivals (Bronze).
As a speaker at events including SXSW (Austin), TestLab (Berlin), and ACG Design (China), Rudy shares insights on how creativity and communication can humanize systems and build public trust.
Born in Panama and shaped by a multicultural upbringing in Germany and the United States, Rudy brings a global perspective to civic storytelling. He believes that innovation in government begins not with technology, but with people—how we listen, connect, and co-create the future of our communities.