Testimonials
“Good ideas can sometimes suffer a slow death in the process of bringing them to life. Not with Brian. The work grows stronger and stronger. That ability to see an idea through, without sacrifice, is a skill Brian has in spades.”
Todd Simmons
Vice President
IBM Brand Experience
IBM Blue Studio
“It’s rare that design leaders can maneuver so well in the different channels or disciplines of design and have experience, vision, and a point of view to help propel the design executions forward in positive and valuable ways.”
Mike Abbink
IBM Distinguished Designer
Executive Creative Director, IBM Cloud and Cognitive Software
“From day one Brian has…elevated the work across every project, regardless of the medium…Brian will often roll up his sleeves and participate in work sessions and brainstorms. It’s clear that…his colleagues look to him for creative leadership and to make decisions that shape the future of the brand.”
Jon Freshwater
Director of Client Services
AKQA
“Working with Brian exemplifies the gold standard for the agency/client partnership. He is incredibly generous with his time and always willing to dig in and roll up his sleeves.”
Chris Goveia
Vice President, Executive Creative Director
George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
“Brian…consistently elevates the quality of work in every project he touches. He continues to leave a wake of ingenuity across teams and the organization as a whole. I consider Brian to be one of the most intelligent and thoughtful leaders I’ve had the chance to work with.”
Kelvin Chu
Executive Creative Director, Enphase Energy
Formerly Design Principal, Creative Director IBM
“When Brian joined…he faced a monumental task. Within days Brian had an army of people at our offices doing all sorts of magical things. It worked. Clients from the very top of the Ford Motor Company all the way down to our day-to-day operations folks were thrilled.”
Jeff Payne
Group Creative Director
Hudson Rouge
“Smart, funny, thoughtful, extremely well connected, Brian is a pleasure to work with....he brings an interesting POV that I found valuable and refreshing....he's got a good eye and great taste and is articulate in expressing his ideas.”
Peter Frankfurt
Owner
Imaginary Forces
mentorship
“Brian as a mentor is like having a best friend of design. He’s collaborative, he knows when to lead, trusts me to take my own lead, and he is very inclusive with open dialog. It feels mutually respectful, which is an amazing feeling in life in general, and a particularly delightful experience when this happens at work. Brian sets high standards, in design, as a lead, and as someone to look up to.”
“I’ve always felt extremely comfortable collaborating with Brian. Quick to say what didn’t work, but always willing to jump on a call, start wireframing, and riffing on ideas. Brian helped open my eyes to the breadth of ways that design could elevate the quality of what was being produced.”
“Brian, as well as being a leader, uses his vast skills to dive in on many occasions to help and inspire the team. Brian has set up a design culture that strengthens the brand while also elevating his team—recognizing his teammates’ contributions in the process.”
“Brian has an incredible eye and an even better ability to motivate teams around him. He sets a standard of excellence that starts from himself. His breadth of knowledge and limitless curiosity in all media allows him to form alliances with teams beyond design, and pushes the boundaries of what technology’s visual language can be.”
“I appreciate Brian’s no-nonsense approach to design. The work is either good, or it’s not. It conforms to IBM’s design language, or it’s off-brand. It elevates the message, or it lessens its impact. This perspective inspired me to do my absolute best while collaborating with him—a remarkable effect a design leader can have on his team.”
“Brian always made me feel welcome as part of the team, providing me with stimulating challenges and asking my opinion on projects on which he himself was working. I’m happy to have worked under his technical leadership and I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to grow my technical skills with him as a mentor.”
“Brian empowers me to lead while continuing to mentor one on one. He provides specific, easy-to-follow direction and advice. He encourages me to keep an eye on details which paves the way for good design, a good overall campaign, and, as a result, good career growth.”