I'm Justin Hiew — a creative director and brand designer based in San Diego.

Over 20 years of agency and client-side work has given me the chance to help build some brands I'm genuinely proud of — across CPG, spirits, food and beverage, pharma, and tech. The work has ranged from national campaigns and packaging to retail experiences and everything in between.

What I've learned along the way is that the best brand work doesn't come from one person having all the answers. It comes from creating the kind of room where people feel comfortable asking the questions nobody else wants to ask — and then following those questions somewhere interesting. That's where the work that actually connects with people gets made.

Take a look around. If something connects, say hello — I'd love to talk shop.

Justin Hiew

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Brand Experience

CPG’s: Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Sara Lee, Energizer, KIND, Mizkan (Angostura, Bertolli, Holland House, Nagano, Ragú), Riviana (American Beauty, Carolina, Creamette-Skinner, Light n'Fluffy, Mahatma, Minute, Muellers, Pasta Lensi, Rice Select, San Giorgio, Success, Tilda) Method, Wells (Blue Bunny, Blue Ribbon Classics, BombPop, Halo Top)

ALCOHOL: Wild Turkey Spiced, SR76 Beerworks, Jägermeister, Boston Beer Co (Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Sam Adams, Truly, Twisted Tea), Brown Forman (Herradura, Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve), Gallo Wines (Apothem, Estancia, La Marca), Infinium (Corralejo, Crystal Head Vodka, Seagrams, Templeton), Jägermeister, Proximo (1800 Tequila, Jose Cuervo, Three Olives)

PHARMA / MEDICAL: Bayer (Aleve, Alka Seltzer, Claritin, Coppertone, Dr. Scholls, Flintstones Vitamins, MiraLAX, Natures Medley, One-a-Day), Covance, Resmed

RESTAURANT / HOSPITALITY: Panera Bread, Red Robin Burgers, Foxwoods Resorts and Casino, Harrah's Resort, St. Regis Hotel

FINANCIAL: Visa, Washington Mutual, Principal Financial, Mass Mutual

AUTO: Nissan, Infiniti, Acura, Toyo Tires, Cars.com

SPORTS: Asics, Gatorade, Jazzercise

TECH: Apple, Playstation, Qualcomm, Alaska Communications, Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA)

ENTERTAINMENT: The 51st Grammy Awards, Red Box Instant

Work Experience

    • Spearheaded the visual launch of TSIA Intelligence, an enterprise AI tool, driving user awareness and engagement through integrated video, digital, experiential, and social marketing campaigns.

    • Orchestrated comprehensive visual branding and environmental design for premier industry conferences, including: Envision 2024/2025, Interact 2025, Technology Services World 2026, and the exclusive TSIA Board Summit 2026.

    • Partnered with Product Designers to architect user-centric wireframes and UX layouts, successfully aligning brand identity with digital product interfaces.

    • Designed and produced high-impact e-books that translated complex proprietary insights into visually engaging, revenue-driving marketing assets.

    • Developed scalable visual frameworks and design systems to standardize the presentation of research papers and streamline future promotional workflows.

    • Executed the complete rebranding of the TECHtonic Podcast, modernizing the visual identity for the flagship platform hosted by TSIA’s lead researcher.

    • Managed cross-functional workflows for Fortune 500 advertising campaigns, ensuring on-time, on-brand delivery.

    • Drove e-commerce conversion and engagement across Amazon, Walmart.com, and Instacart using user-centric design.

    • Engineered mobile-first interactive experiences tailored to CPG consumer behaviors in on/off-premise markets.

    • Deployed scalable shopper marketing assets, high-visibility retail displays, and trade show activations for global CPG brands.

    • Conceived and executed the end-to-end brand strategy and visual identity for the market launch of a new craft brewery.

    • Mentored and guided junior creatives while actively collaborating with executive leadership to engineer high-impact solutions for key clients.

    • Directed cross-functional production teams across digital design, custom illustration, studio photography, and broadcast media to ensure cohesive campaign execution.

    • Partnered closely with client stakeholders to audit, design, and streamline internal communications and cross-platform design requirements.

    • Drove creative execution for high-profile product launches, establishing visual direction and market positioning for new-to-market consumer goods.

    • Directed multidisciplinary production teams across digital design, custom illustration, studio photography, and broadcast media to ensure flawless asset execution.

    • Conceptualized and executed multi-channel advertising campaigns spanning digital and broadcast platforms for a diverse mix of regional and national accounts.

    • Authored high-performing creative and social content strategies that significantly elevated brand visibility and audience engagement for national portfolios.

    • Partnered with web engineering teams to architect responsive websites, immersive digital content, and interactive rich media experiences.

    • Designed targeted direct marketing collateral and omnichannel assets tailored to the distinct business objectives of regional and national brands.

    • Consulted directly with client stakeholders to audit, develop, and deliver bespoke internal communications and corporate design assets.

    • Supervised digital asset creation, photography, and studio production workflows to maintain rigorous quality control standards across fast-paced agency accounts.

    • Promoted from Studio Artist to Art Director based on a strong track record of design execution, technical precision, and creative problem-solving.

    • Collaborated closely with web development teams to build cutting-edge websites and rich media assets, ensuring design fidelity from concept to launch.

    • Produced high-volume direct marketing materials and regional print/digital campaigns for tier-one national portfolios.

    • Facilitated collaborative client workshops to identify, structure, and deliver high-value internal communications and cross-platform design requirements.

    • Managed studio and production pipelines, coordinating digital artists and photographers to deliver polished assets under tight broadcast and digital deadlines.

Skills

CREATIVE DIRECTION

  • Brand Identity & Development

  • Campaign Concepting

  • Art Direction

  • Visual Storytelling

  • Photography & Video Direction

  • Experiential & Tradeshow

  • Print & OOH

  • Broadcast/Video

DIGITAL & UX

  • E-commerce

  • Digital & Email Marketing

  • Social ContentUX/UI Design

  • Wireframing & Prototyping

  • Information Architecture

  • UX Research & Usability Testing

AI & EMERGING TOOLS

  • Adobe Firefly

  • Midjourney

  • Generative AI Workflows

  • AI-Augmented Creative Direction

SOFTWARE

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

  • Figma

  • Google Workspace

Education

ART CENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN Bachelor in Fine Arts. 2002 – 2005 

GOOGLE Google UX Design Specialization. 2023 

 

Recommendations

I've been lucky enough to work alongside some genuinely talented people over the years. A few of them were kind enough to put that in writing. You can read their full recommendations and see others on my LinkedIn page — and if you'd like to speak with anyone directly, just ask. I'm happy to make the introduction.

“…As Art Director, Justin set the creative vision and protected it, but never at the expense of the people around him. He had a natural ability to take full ownership of a project while genuinely pulling in the right voices to make it better. No ego, no territoriality. Just a real commitment to the work being as good as it could be. That kind of creative confidence, without the defensiveness that often comes with it, is harder to find than most people realize.

What made Justin exceptional wasn't just his talent, it was his steadiness. In moments when it would have been easy to be critical or negative, he consistently chose to bring people up. He kept things light without ever losing his seriousness about the work. He made the room better just by being in it…”

—Misa Ruiz
Design Director

 

“…What stood out most about Justin was his adaptability. He embraced feedback with professionalism and was able to pivot quickly when project needs changed, always keeping the end goal in focus. He was a collaborative partner who consistently brought thoughtful ideas to the table and helped strengthen every initiative he touched...”

—Veronica Fiscus
Director of Content Marketing

 

“As TSIA's Senior Creative Director, Justin brought a level of visual craft and brand instinct that genuinely elevated everything he touched, and he did it while being one of the most enjoyable people in the building to collaborate with. The man is brilliantly wacky in the best possible way, and that energy is contagious. What I can speak to directly is the impact of his creative work on paid media performance. Justin didn't just make creative that looked great, he made ads that worked. When we tested human-driven, storytelling-forward creative against more traditional event and brand graphics, his instincts were consistently right…”

—Justin Cruz
Director of Digital Marketing