Loading...

Ian  Adams

Ian Adams

Executive Creative Director & Founder in Ann Arbor, MI, USA

I spent 18 years leading creative for global brands focused on helping founders and leadership teams turn strategy into execution, and execution into measurable outcomes. The work taught me to think long-term, build systems that scale, and stay close to what actually moves a business forward. It also showed me how often founders carry the weight alone. The sofa is my answer to that. A comfortable place to sit with uncomfortable questions, get real answers, and build a brand that supports the future you want.

About Ian

Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Executive Creative Director & Founder
sofa.

Commitment Experience

67% Employee
33% Founder

Accomplishments

AIQ Brand Platform

Strategic Brand Designer
sofa.
January 2022 - Present

Summary

Built the end-to-end brand and product system for AIQ (Athletic Intelligence Quotient), a sports cognitive assessment platform, delivering 10× ROI through cohesive brand and platform design. Defined the brand foundation, taxonomy, and visual identity. Designed the full product UX across five user roles, including GM/Head Coach, Academy Coach, Psychologist, Player, and Customer Success. Currently building the AI layer of the product through UX design and design strategy for the AIQ + Dashboard.

AIGA Professional Certifications — Emerging Technologies & AI

Member, AIGA Professional Association for Design
April 2022

Summary

Completed two professional certifications through AIGA, the Professional Association for Design: the Emerging Technologies Certification and A Manager's Guide to Artificial Intelligence. The programs cover the application of emerging technology and AI within design leadership contexts, including team management, creative workflow integration, ethical considerations, and the strategic role of design in shaping how organizations adopt new technology.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer Launch

Creative Director
Huge Inc.
July 2020 - April 2022

Summary

Led brand and digital experience strategy for the relaunch of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the brand's return to the premium SUV category after a 30-year hiatus. Directed brand content across web, AR, content partnerships, and commerce touchpoints, shaping a unified narrative that translated the heritage of the nameplate into a modern, premium expression. Partnered with Stellantis brand and product teams to align creative direction with launch positioning, and oversaw a cross-disciplinary team across design, content, and emerging platforms.

Industry Awards — Advertising, Design & Creative Direction

Art Director, Creative Director / Regional Creative Director / Head of Design
April 2008 - April 2020

Summary

Recognized across major international advertising and design awards over a 15-year creative career. Honors include 8× Art Directors Club (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Nominations), 5× Golden Drum (Design and Art Direction), 4× PIAF (Gold, Silver, Nominations), 3× Eurobest (Gold, Silver, Nomination), 2× Euro Effies (Gold, Silver), 2× Epica Awards (Silver), 1× Intercontinental Ad Cup (Best of Admaking), 1× American Advertising Federation Silver ADDY, and an AIGA Design Feature for photography in 2021. Work recognized across brand, design, art direction, and creative effectiveness.

Tesco Central Europe Repositioning

Regional Creative Director
Ogilvy & Mather
April 2013 - April 2015

Summary

Led creative direction for the Tesco brand across multiple Central European markets, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Directed cross-market identity, campaign, and digital expression to deliver a consistent brand experience at retail scale. Partnered with regional marketing teams to translate the Tesco brand into market-specific creative while maintaining a coherent system across borders. Managed and mentored creative teams across brand, design, and content disciplines, setting standards for craft and execution throughout the region.

References

Ian hasn't added any references yet

Experience

sofa.

Design Systems

Built the end-to-end brand and product system for AIQ (Athletic Intelligence Quotient), a sports cognitive assessment platform, delivering 10× ROI through cohesive brand and platform design. Defined the brand foundation, taxonomy, and visual identity. Designed the full product UX across five user roles, including GM/Head Coach, Academy Coach, Psychologist, Player, and Customer Success. Currently building the AI layer of the product through UX design and design strategy for the AIQ + Dashboard.

Completed two professional certifications through AIGA, the Professional Association for Design: the Emerging Technologies Certification and A Manager's Guide to Artificial Intelligence. The programs cover the application of emerging technology and AI within design leadership contexts, including team management, creative workflow integration, ethical considerations, and the strategic role of design in shaping how organizations adopt new technology.

Huge Inc.

Brand Marketing

Led brand and digital experience strategy for the relaunch of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the brand's return to the premium SUV category after a 30-year hiatus. Directed brand content across web, AR, content partnerships, and commerce touchpoints, shaping a unified narrative that translated the heritage of the nameplate into a modern, premium expression. Partnered with Stellantis brand and product teams to align creative direction with launch positioning, and oversaw a cross-disciplinary team across design, content, and emerging platforms.

Recognized across major international advertising and design awards over a 15-year creative career. Honors include 8× Art Directors Club (Gold, Silver, Bronze, Nominations), 5× Golden Drum (Design and Art Direction), 4× PIAF (Gold, Silver, Nominations), 3× Eurobest (Gold, Silver, Nomination), 2× Euro Effies (Gold, Silver), 2× Epica Awards (Silver), 1× Intercontinental Ad Cup (Best of Admaking), 1× American Advertising Federation Silver ADDY, and an AIGA Design Feature for photography in 2021. Work recognized across brand, design, art direction, and creative effectiveness.

Ogilvy & Mather

Brand Marketing

Led creative direction for the Tesco brand across multiple Central European markets, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Directed cross-market identity, campaign, and digital expression to deliver a consistent brand experience at retail scale. Partnered with regional marketing teams to translate the Tesco brand into market-specific creative while maintaining a coherent system across borders. Managed and mentored creative teams across brand, design, and content disciplines, setting standards for craft and execution throughout the region.

Skills

Creative Direction Regional / Multi-market Execution Retail Campaign Development Team Leadership AI Strategy Emerging Technology Design Leadership Innovation Design Management Brand Strategy Digital Experience AR / Emerging Platforms Cross-functional Leadership Content Design Art Direction Brand Design Advertising Design Craft Photography Product Design UX Design Design Systems Brand Identity AI Product Design