Hi, I’m Jason Shanks. I’m a creative director with over 10 years of experience guiding brands from concept through sustained growth. I founded the Nikau Kai Waterman Shop and led the design and development of a successful apparel line for a discerning adult audience, driving increased brand recognition and sales. I developed and executed a comprehensive digital strategy featuring a visually rich website, lifestyle reel campaigns, carousel ads, and targeted email marketing and flows, and I’ve recently embraced AI-driven content development to boost creative output and campaign efficiency. In addition to my brand work, I’ve spent years freelancing as an art and creative direction lead for industry leaders, building brand identities and overseeing projects from concept to production. My background spans graphic design, brand development, retail space design, and online campaigns, with a proven track record of elevating brands and driving growth.…

Jason Shanks

Hi, I’m Jason Shanks. I’m a creative director with over 10 years of experience guiding brands from concept through sustained growth. I founded the Nikau Kai Waterman Shop and led the design and development of a successful apparel line for a discerning adult audience, driving increased brand recognition and sales. I developed and executed a comprehensive digital strategy featuring a visually rich website, lifestyle reel campaigns, carousel ads, and targeted email marketing and flows, and I’ve recently embraced AI-driven content development to boost creative output and campaign efficiency. In addition to my brand work, I’ve spent years freelancing as an art and creative direction lead for industry leaders, building brand identities and overseeing projects from concept to production. My background spans graphic design, brand development, retail space design, and online campaigns, with a proven track record of elevating brands and driving growth.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Jason Shanks. I’m a creative director with over 10 years of experience guiding brands from concept through sustained growth. I founded the Nikau Kai Waterman Shop and led the design and development of a successful apparel line for a discerning adult audience, driving increased brand recognition and sales. I developed and executed a comprehensive digital strategy featuring a visually rich website, lifestyle reel campaigns, carousel ads, and targeted email marketing and flows, and I’ve recently embraced AI-driven content development to boost creative output and campaign efficiency.

In addition to my brand work, I’ve spent years freelancing as an art and creative direction lead for industry leaders, building brand identities and overseeing projects from concept to production. My background spans graphic design, brand development, retail space design, and online campaigns, with a proven track record of elevating brands and driving growth.

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Language

Italian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Founder / Creative Director at Nikau Kai Waterman Shop
January 1, 2011 - Present
Over 10 years of experience guiding the brand and flagship location from concept through sustained growth; spearheaded the design and development of a successful apparel line for a discerning adult audience; developed and executed a comprehensive digital strategy including a visually rich website, lifestyle reel campaigns, carousel ads, and targeted email marketing and flows; recently incorporating AI-driven content development to enhance creative output and campaign efficiency.
Art / Creative Direction at Freelance
January 1, 2007 - Present
18+ years of freelance art and creative direction for assorted industry leaders, including brand identities, development oversight, and advertising from concept through production.
Production Designer at GAP Inc.
January 1, 2001 - October 25, 2025
Built out and finalized advertising concepts for the Gap Marketing Department.

Education

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Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Retail, Consumer Goods, Travel & Hospitality, Gaming, Other
    paper Nikau Kai - Lifestyle Apparel Brand / Concept to Campaign — Swell

    Concept to Campaign — Nikau Kai

    A short motion example that connects the tee graphic design into the finished product and then to a lifestyle vibe and moment. I did an animation of both the Character and a product focused shot animation.

    I did these with different copy depending on ad placement via Meta, Facebook, and Instagram. I this example the character is chatting with people off screen. In this example I did mute the audio for this post.

    I handled concept, execution, and production of everything from the tee graphic to the lifestyle story and mood.

    Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney, Higgsfield, VEO 3.1
    Client: [Nikaukai.com](https://www.twine.net/signin

    [Concept to Campaign – Swell](https://www.twine.net/signin

    Click the image above to watch the short video.

    paper Craft Shack - Hospitality Brand / Branding

    Concept to Campaign — Nikau Kai

    I was ask to develop a branding package for a fast casual restaurant concept.

    I handled concept, execution, and production of everything from the logo and branding to implementation.

    Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney, Higgsfield, VEO 3.1
    Client: [Craft Shack]

    [Concept to Campaign – Craft Shack](https://www.twine.net/signin

    Click the image above to watch the short video.

    paper Nikau Kai - Lifestyle Apparel Brand / Concept to Campaign - Tipi

    Concept to Campaign — Nikau Kai

    A short motion example that connects the tee graphic design into the finished product and then to a lifestyle vibe and moment.
    I did these with different copy depending on ad placement via Meta, Facebook, and Instagram. The copy here is in Italian and “Josh” is telling his wife how much he loves getting to do what he loves everyday… I can relate.

    I handled concept, execution, and production of everything from the tee graphic to the lifestyle story and mood.

    Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney, Higgsfield, VEO 3.1
    Client: [Nikaukai.com](https://www.twine.net/signin

    [Concept to Campaign – Tipi](https://www.twine.net/signin

    Click the image above to watch the short video.