CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
VAULT 49, NEW YORK NY
As co-founder and executive creative director, John Glasgow guides New York ideas-led brand design agency Vault49 with a deep commitment to cultural diversity, crafted process, and efficient brand strategy. He creates bold artistic solutions that delight people, disrupt their everyday, and deliver tangible results for clients including Pepsico and Diageo. Building on his creative origins as an internationally recognized street artist, John started Vault49 with Jonathan Kenyon during their final year at the London College of Printing in 2002. Today, the commercially successful agency has a focus on craft, humanity and optimism, fostering an environment that acts as a catalyst for the finest creative minds and attracting clients who want to push the boundaries. John sees the guiding principles of Vault49 as to do good work, ensure the world sees it, forget ego and get along with others, bring your passion and collaborate with the best. The team at Vault49 describe John as an inspiration and a leader. He is spearheading a diversity initiative at the agency. This has included working with Jay Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation and the University of the Arts, London (UAL) on the NY-LON Exchange Program. It gives students from low income backgrounds, who are the first in their families to attend university, an opportunity to work together on collaborative projects and broaden their creative networks with support from Vault49.
THE FUTURE OF THE GRAPHIC DESIGN BUSINESS?
We are in an exciting period. Not too long ago there was talk about the death of print and how digital is going to take over. This may still be the case, but I’m seeing a trend where animators, CGI artists and digital interactive agencies are creating content that replicates and translates some of the more traditional techniques which you associate with print, on a variety of digital touch points.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Shepherd’s Bush West London/Bed-Stuy Do or Die, Brooklyn NY
DID YOU GO TO DESIGN SCHOOL?
A DESIGN HERO?
Julie Verhoeven. Her whimsical storytelling packed with an abundance of playful details was a big influence on me.
FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?
@Natgeo because I love me some animals!
FAVORITE TELEVISION BINGE WATCH?
Currently binging on Top Boy
FAVORITE PODCAST?
Dope Black Dads
FAVORITE BOOK?
Sidney Poitier in The Measure of A Man
FAVORITE MOVIE?
City of God. It captures the vibrancy and danger of life living in Brazilian favelas. I first saw it in Sao Paulo with kids from the favelas, so it had a surreal and profound effect on me.
FAVORITE FINE ARTIST?
Kehinde Wiley for bringing his portraits of people of color into museums where black people are underrepresented.
FAVORITE CAUSE/CHARITY?
Greenpeace
FAVORITE FREE TIME ACTIVITY?
Baking cakes and pies with my 10-year-old daughter.
IF YOU WERE NOT A DESIGNER?
A wildlife photographer!
