Andres Nicholls

GLOBAL EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR PROPHET, NEW YORK NY

Andres Nicholls leads the Global Design Practice at Prophet. With over 15 years of experience, he brings to life his passion for design and engaging brand experiences with some of the world’s greatest brands, such as Abbott, AbbVie, Destination Hotels, Emart, Vitamin World, Target, Harley Davidson, UBS, Scholastic, Orbis and Caradigm. Previously a design partner at Lippincott, Andres’ work there included brand engagements with Citizens Bank, Gore-Tex, RadioShack, Walmart, Vale, Samsung and Taca Airlines. A native of Colombia, he began his career as an architect, and with a breadth of experience in retail, he later joined Interbrand as a Design Director for the Environmental Design Group. There, he was able to transition from architect to well-rounded creative brand consultant by combining his multidimensional thinking from architecture with his acute sensibility for brand design. A frequent world-traveler and popular keynote speaker at brand conferences, Andres is always on the lookout for new inspiration and experiences to keep ideas fresh and innovative. When he’s not spending time with his clients and Prophet’s multiple design studios, which include Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Richmond, he can be found sharing time with the loves of his life: his family and his motorcycle.

WHERE OR HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR DESIGN WORK?
Inspiration is everywhere, we just need to learn how to look for it. Lately I spend more and more time in planes and that time allows me to disconnect for a bit, be inspired, think, create and dream.

HOW DOES WHERE YOU WERE BORN, GREW UP OR LIVE NOW AFFECT YOUR DESIGN SENSIBILITY OR STYLE?
I was born in Medellin, Colombia, and since my early years I had the good fortune to have parents who allowed me to see the world, explore it and open my mind to life. I now live in New York and believe those early experiences definitely shaped my personality and approach to design as I believe design needs to multi-faceted and open as well.

FAVORITE COLOR?
Depends on the day, but black is on the top of my list (and my wardrobe)

FAVORITE TYPEFACE?
Whichever is perfect for the design

FAVORITE TV SHOW?
The Blacklist

FAVORITE BOOKS?
I’m a big fan of biographies and historical novels. Life from Keith Richards was awesome!

FAVORITE Movie?
Star Wars by far

FAVORITE MUSICIANS OR BANDS?
Too embarrassing to reveal

FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?
Instagram

FAVORITE FINE ARTISTS?
Richard Serra

GREATEST STRENGTH/WEAKNESS AS A DESIGNER?
Heart, and sometimes too much heart.

TALENT YOU WISHED YOU POSSESSED?
Patience to teach my son math (btw, he is pretty good at it)

ADVICE TO A YOUNG DESIGNER JUST STARTING OUT?
A great friend and mentor once gave me a little metal plaque with the inscription: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
Best advice ever.

IF NOT A DESIGNER, WHAT WOULD YOU BE?
A Bonsai artist

A MANTRA OR SAYING YOU LIVE BY?
Enjoy every minute like if it was your last one.

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