Before leaving America in 1986, Cheryl Watamura Martinez studied communications and journalism in California. After graduating she worked as a news assignment editor at ABC, CBS and Fox affiliates in the San Francisco area. Just as the digital era started to develop in Europe, she arrived in Germany and worked as a digital artist, effects supervisor, producer and director.

In 1997 Martinez and two partners established the Cologne design studio phaze two. The company produces high-end digital moving imagery for television and film, corporate clients and advertising agencies. Their work includes developing and designing animated identities and trademarks for television formats and corporate labels.

Martinez is a member of the planning commission of a new media degree overseen by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research She also serves on several trade committees that govern testing standards for media related degrees.