Introduction
As a designer and as an Art Director I have, over the years, worked for several reputed national and international brands. From conceptualising, designing, and prototyping profits to curating brand experiences, I have worked across several projects including ad campaigns, websites, user interfaces, brand and visual identity guidelines, apps, product packaging, concept designs, and mentoring talent. As an Art Director, I have taken on increasing levels of responsibility and have proven success in designing and managing campaigns that built engaging and enduring relationships with a diverse set of audiences.
Work Profile
Design Manager, Creative Services - Amazon
Nov 2014 - Present
Hired by Amazon Creative Services/D1 team (Amazon’s internal creative agency. A part of Global Integrated Marketing team) to develop design processes and methodologies for the region, develop skill sets. Was responsible for the initiation of key quality analysis metrics to better streamline the design flow and process and increase user engagement. Played a key role in ensuring collaboration and streamlined access to various internal and external creative teams including marketing, creative, producers, copy-writers, directors, etc. Was a key member of the hiring team that Source-out, Shortlist and Interview potential candidates for Amazon Creative Services
Sr. Art Director - Ogilvy & Mather
Jan 2014 - Nov 2014
Hired by Ogilvy & Mather, Bangalore to conceptualise and create ideas, design process flows, and other creatives (both online and offline) for their clients. Built a multidisciplinary collaboration at a very fast pace, deadline driven environment, working closely with advertising directors, editorial, and production teams. Worked on POS, merchandising, press, outdoor, DM, brochures and digital. Art Directed and designed digital and offline promotional materials including outdoor and print. Undertook 360-degree marketing campaigns featured on social media and was involved in all phases of creative projects from concept to execution.
Sr. Art Director - Saatchi & Saatchi
Jun 2013 - Dec 2013
Hired to develop and art direct advanced visual concepts, themes, and comps for high-impact deliverables and assets.
Lead the development of creative concepts for B2B clients and develop design strategies that align with brand values. Developed clear, concise branding messages by working with the account and strategy teams, copywriters, and the production teams. Drove customer-focused design language in creative briefs, provide art direction for the entire line of online services, and Initiate and lead creative sessions to kick-off projects. Ensured creative quality, consistency, and cohesiveness across all creative executions and continually elevate and innovate custom client solutions that cement the company as a leader in the space
Sr. Executive, Design - Cafe Coffee Day
Jun 2010 - Jun 2013
Hired to work closely with the internal teams to generate and create brand promotional ideas that create and sustain long-term engagement while also matching the business objectives of the organisation. Was responsible for coming up with original creative ideas, including illustrations and infographics. Was responsible for pre and post production quality checks.
Managed and directed photo shoots on time and to budget. Conceptualised, visualised and designed websites, UI for Apps, Marketing collaterals and Brand Identity.
And a few more organisations from Bangalore and Mumbai...
Oct 2005 onwards
Academics
As a designer and as an Art Director I have, over the years, worked for several national and international brands. From conceptualising, designing, and prototyping profits to curating brand experiences, I have worked across several projects including ad campaigns, websites, user interfaces, brand and visual identity guidelines, apps, product packaging, concept designs, and mentoring talent. As an Art Director / Design Manager, I have taken on increasing levels of responsibility and have proven success in designing and managing campaigns that built engaging and enduring relationships with a diverse set of audiences.
Introduction
Work Profile
Design Manager, Creative Services - Amazon
Nov 2014 - Feb 2020
Hired by Amazon Creative Services/D1 team (Amazon’s internal creative agency. A part of Global Integrated Marketing team) to develop design processes and methodologies for the region, develop skill sets. Was responsible for the initiation of key quality analysis metrics to better streamline the design flow and process and increase user engagement. Played a key role in ensuring collaboration and streamlined access to various internal and external creative teams including marketing, creative, producers, copy-writers, directors, etc. Was a key member of the hiring team that Source-out, Shortlist and Interview potential candidates for Amazon Creative Services
Sr. Art Director - Ogilvy & Mather
Jan 2014 - Nov 2014
Hired by Ogilvy & Mather, Bangalore to conceptualise and create ideas, design process flows, and other creatives (both online and offline) for their clients. Built a multidisciplinary collaboration at a very fast pace, deadline driven environment, working closely with advertising directors, editorial, and production teams. Worked on POS, merchandising, press, outdoor, DM, brochures and digital. Art Directed and designed digital and offline promotional materials including outdoor and print. Undertook 360-degree marketing campaigns featured on social media and was involved in all phases of creative projects from concept to execution.
Sr. Art Director - Saatchi & Saatchi
Jun 2013 - Dec 2013
Hired to develop and art direct advanced visual concepts, themes, and comps for high-impact deliverables and assets.
Lead the development of creative concepts for B2B clients and develop design strategies that align with brand values. Developed clear, concise branding messages by working with the account and strategy teams, copywriters, and the production teams. Drove customer-focused design language in creative briefs, provide art direction for the entire line of online services, and Initiate and lead creative sessions to kick-off projects. Ensured creative quality, consistency, and cohesiveness across all creative executions and continually elevate and innovate custom client solutions that cement the company as a leader in the space
Sr. Executive, Design - Cafe Coffee Day
Jun 2010 - Jun 2013
Hired to work closely with the internal teams to generate and create brand promotional ideas that create and sustain long-term engagement while also matching the business objectives of the organisation. Was responsible for coming up with original creative ideas, including illustrations and infographics. Was responsible for pre and post production quality checks.Managed and directed photo shoots on time and to budget. Conceptualised, visualised and designed websites, UI for Apps, Marketing collaterals and Brand Identity.
And a few more organisations from Bangalore and Mumbai...
Oct 2005 onwards
Founder, Director - Creative - Polkadot
May 2020 - Present
Founded PolkaDot Creative is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. A creative agency that offers a full range of integrated services, from traditional to emerging media. We bring to the table a wealth of experience working with both corporate giants and sprightly startups. Our mission is not limited to getting your target customers to loosen their purse strings. We will ensure that your brand earns a place in their thoughts and aspirations as well.
We are a team of bright-eyed professionals who share a passion for creativity. We think we dream, we write, we doodle, we code, we grab eyeballs, we solve problems, and we build brands. All in a day’s work.
Associate Director - Creative - Hopscotch
Nov 2021 - Present
Hired by Hopscotch - India’s leading kids' fashion brand positioned at the sweet spot of aspiration and affordability, to head art and visual direction for the brand Hopscotch. Responsible for an elevated and differentiated visual appeal on all customer-facing touch points - site, social, third-party platforms, and marketing communication.
Played a key role in ensuring collaboration and streamlined access to various internal and external creative teams including Site Merchandising, social, marketing, and copy-writers, to conceptualize and execute campaigns.
Displayed a strong strategic understanding of how fashion and lifestyle brands use art to elevate their image and perception. And constantly up the ante with strong brand thinking and strategically use design to solve problems.
Teams lead: Design, Editorial photography
Academics
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass communication
Sikkim Manipal University
Advertising and Graphic Designing
Wigan & Leigh College, India
Programming languages, Network Administration, Web technologies
NIIT
Associated Brands
Over the years, Sarath has provided strategic/creative direction to multiple brands like Bosch, Juniper, Nvidia, Coffee Day, Serai, Way 2 Wealth, Mindtree, Go-Air, Infosys, WNS, CSS Corp, Microsoft, S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc., Amazon, Amazon Prime, Amazon Basics, Solimo, Prime Now, Amazon Fresh, Alexa, Amazon Echo, Audible, Kindle and many more. He has a proven track record of working with internal creative teams and external agencies, to build campaigns that were adored by many.