ed adams

CREATIVE DIRECTOR +

maker
artist
dad-joke-teller
code fiddler
photographer
web/ux designer
Motion artist
illustrator
Designer
Ed Adams: Creative Direction, Design, and Illustration logo
EA monogram logo
Black and white portrait of Ed Adams - Creative Director, Designer, Illustrator and Motion Graphics Artist

i'm ed. 

I’m a hands-on Creative Director who crafts beautiful, functional design and motion—balancing sound strategy with ideas that are clever, effective, and fun.

The long & short of it

I'm a senior multidisciplinary creative with demonstrated success in integrated campaign ideation and brand development, creative strategy, and execution of solutions across social, interactive, motion and analog spaces. With a proven track record in art and creative direction, I’ve led teams through every step of the creative process from pitch to launch on projects ranging from landing pages to brand partnerships and data-driven social campaigns. I lead by example, working hands-on with my team, prioritizing curiosity and collaboration, and consistently delivering exceptional work that inspires teammates, exceeds stakeholder expectations, and surpasses business goals. And I pride myself on being an empathetic human being that's easy to work with.

experience

To view my full resume with extra stats and achievements, download the PDF here

July 2022–present

Creative director

Trapdoor design co., llc

Independent design company specializing in premium creative services tailored to agencies and direct clients in consumer goods, finance, pharmaceutical, and music industries.
  • Launched design company to offer a distinctive blend of hands-on expertise and extensive agency management experience-ensuring the highest quality creative and design for agencies and direct clients alike
Brands: ADP, Hennessy, Dom Perignon, OLIVER / Morgan Stanley, ADP, Reybee Inc., Bumper.com
2013–2022

Creative director

promoted from associate creative director

revolution digital

Digital and social media agency serving Fortune 100 and 500 clients for over 2 decades. Named the #1 Digital Agency in North America by the MMAs in 2020.
  • Built and grew highly-profitable, award-winning agency through reinvention of creative department staffing, processes, software, and creative strategy
  • Led creative for all New Business and RFP responses
  • Increased department headcount from 3 to 12 full-time creatives (300%)
  • Managed, trained, and mentored creative team through hands-on leadership
  • Mentored design and technical growth
  • Grew team's skills in content creation and creative strategy
  • Established new workflows and processes agency-wide
  • Built in-house digital photography studio for production of high volume, monthly client social content
  • Collaborated extensively with external partners and specialists
Brands: evian, ChapStick, Emergen-C, Right Guard, Nexium, Dannon Light+Fit, Ortega, Pfizer, KPMG, ParkFast, Daily’s Cocktails, and Buitoni Foods
2012-2013

associate creative director

overskies

An award-winning creative agency specializing in luxury timepiece and electronics marketing.
  • Recruited to build specialized digital team within primary creative department
  • Managed 2 hybrid designers (design and development)
  • Introduced new processes and workflows
Brands: Pantone, Citizen Watches, BP/Castrol, and Konica Minolta
2011

associate creative director

Mikeworldwide / mww

NYC and NJ-based PR and marketing agency specializing in retail, tech, food, and beverage.
  • Played a pivotal role in digital initiatives and securing new business opportunities for renowned national accounts such as Encyclopedia Britannica, Nikon, Hershey, and jetBlue
  • Implemented digital standards for web design project workflows and banner ad development, resulting in enhanced project efficiencies and increased project clarity.
Brands: Nikon, Hershey, jetBlue
2009–2012

freelance art director

self-employed

  • Collaborated closely with leading ad agencies and direct clients across diverse industries including consumer goods, finance, and non-profit sectors
  • Key player within interactive design, development, branding, and display advertising projects
Brands: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, BNO, Compass Healthcare, MMi, MWW
2006–2009

sr. art director

promoted from art director

datapositive

Start-up digital agency that launched national promotions, sweepstakes, and instant-win games for consumer packaged goods, petroleum, and technology clients. Select Brands: BP/Castrol, Disney, Wyeth, Pfizer, and Laptop Magazine
  • Managed UI/web design, Flash development, and interactive game design for national promotions and sweepstakes
  • Expanded agency capabilities in UI design, branding, animation, and video
  • Results generated new clients, new projects, and increased average project budget
Brands: BP/Castrol, Disney, Wyeth, Pfizer, and Laptop Magazine
2004–2006

art director

promoted from jr. art director

dvc worldwide

DVC was a global marketing and ad agency with headquarters in NJ and revenues of over $100MM. Named 'Agency of the Decade' in 1999 by PROMO Magazine and AdAge's #41 agency worldwide in 2005.
  • Spearheaded all digital creative for Fortune 500 clients in telecommunications, electronics, and consumer packaged goods industries
  • Redesigned web design and banner ad production processes to handle increasing demand for projects, incorporating external web developers and bringing all Flash development in-house
  • Participated in national campaigns, successful new business pitches, and client presentations
Brands: AT&T, Hertz, Nokia, Gillette, Braun, Georgia-Pacific, Perdue Farms, and JVC

skills

The things I do—in bite-sized, card-sorted chunks.

design

  • Digital: I’ve done everything from large consumer websites to YouTube pre-roll, rich media ad campaigns, and AR projects on Snapchat and Instagram. I'm even a "graduate" of Instagram Story School.
  • Print: I’ve designed billboards and point-of-purchase displays as well as t-shirts, posters, and record layouts for bands and labels.
  • Branding: I’ve developed identity and guidelines for brands that desperately needed a cohesive digital presence.

Craft

  • Illustration: Both analog and digital. I’ve done everything from record layouts to storyboarding.
  • Motion: I'm a self-taught motion graphics artist that conquered After Effects after-hours.
  • Photography: I've shot live events for story-based social content and even stop-motion animations for Instagram calendars.
  • Tangible: I’ve built a miniature theater and sets for a puppet-themed digital campaign and constructed an entire social-focused photo studio.

technical

  • UI + UX: I’ve been deeply involved in discovery + planning, and handled the design of complete Information Architecture documents and prototypes.
  • HTML + CSS: I know more than enough to get myself in trouble (and to build this site, for example), but I also know when to pass it off to more capable, dedicated hands.
  • Tech Nerd: If I'm being honest, I don't need to call IT unless my machine is engulfed in flames.

leadership

  • Client Relationships: I’ve won new business and maintained long-term client partnerships founded on a mutual respect and earned trust.
  • Mentoring: I’ve taken my years of experience and experimentation and shared what I’ve learned with the people on my teams. Here's the proof.
  • Communication: I have an odd interest in digital communication and project management tools. I  thrive on project transparency and asynchronous work styles that help enable teams to work on trust (and not micromanagement).

awards + recognition

I don't put too much stock in award shows (since I don't often enter them), but it's nice to get some recognition here and there.

best otc campaign, chpa awards 2019

social campaign content, emergen-c "emerge & see"

Best in show, nj ad club, jersey awards, 2019

social media 'Free the Party" campaign, original gummi funmix

how design, featured in best brand print design, 2012

logo and business cards for red oak digital

gold, nj ad club, jersey awards, 2019

Rich Media, original gummi funmix

bronze, mma smarties 2020

cross media, social, emergen-c "emerge & see" social content

#1 digital agency, north america, mma smarties business index

As Creative Director @ revolution digital

gold, nj ad club, jersey awards, 2019

social media: Brand Building, original gummi funmix

gold, nj ad club, jersey awards, 2019

Digital Display, original gummi funmix

brands

I've been lucky enough to work on some of the most recognizable brands in the world without working at the "big agencies". Here's a small sampling: 

Ed Adams is a hands-on Creative Director, designer, illustrator, and motion graphics artist hailing from the highlands of New Jersey. All work and content is Copyright © 2024 Ed Adams and their respective brands.
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