I'm Aaqib Shah, a Senior Art Director specializing in brand systems, campaign concepts, and digital creative for global brands. I excel at visual direction, idea development, and guiding teams to deliver high-quality work across digital, social, print, and integrated platforms. Over the past decade, I’ve led branding and creative strategy for clients across automotive, tech, retail, healthcare, and finance, from North America to the Middle East. I’m passionate about crafting scalable design systems and storytelling that elevates brand presence and drives audience engagement.…

Aaqib Shah

I'm Aaqib Shah, a Senior Art Director specializing in brand systems, campaign concepts, and digital creative for global brands. I excel at visual direction, idea development, and guiding teams to deliver high-quality work across digital, social, print, and integrated platforms. Over the past decade, I’ve led branding and creative strategy for clients across automotive, tech, retail, healthcare, and finance, from North America to the Middle East. I’m passionate about crafting scalable design systems and storytelling that elevates brand presence and drives audience engagement.…

Available to hire

I’m Aaqib Shah, a Senior Art Director specializing in brand systems, campaign concepts, and digital creative for global brands. I excel at visual direction, idea development, and guiding teams to deliver high-quality work across digital, social, print, and integrated platforms.

Over the past decade, I’ve led branding and creative strategy for clients across automotive, tech, retail, healthcare, and finance, from North America to the Middle East. I’m passionate about crafting scalable design systems and storytelling that elevates brand presence and drives audience engagement.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Consultant Creative / Director Art Creative at Agency Creative SIXONIQ
December 31, 2019 - July 18, 2025
Led the creative process for over 50 brand and campaign projects, achieving 100% client satisfaction. Conceptualized brand identities and creative campaigns with strong and consistent visual elements. Increased brand recognition by 40% through consistent storytelling and visual identity. Developed digital assets, guidelines, and logos across industries including finance, lifestyle, health, and technology. Collaborated with a wide range of clients including Audi, IKEA, EXEDRA, Health LEVELS, and many others.
Director Art Freelance at Dentsu (Merkle)
July 1, 2024 - July 18, 2025
Delivered creative assets for social media campaigns, ebooks, brochures, and brand media. Led creative development for social media campaigns, boosting engagement by 60%. Contributed to rebranding and integrated AI concepts to enhance internal brand communication. Specialized in events, advertising, and promotional materials.
Consultant Design & Art at Group Creative JUICE
June 1, 2024 - July 18, 2025
Led creative teams in digital branding and project delivery from strategy to execution. Managed multidisciplinary teams including animators, designers, developers, and copywriters. Improved productivity by 70% and client satisfaction by 90%. Worked with clients such as Gilead, Uncommongoods, Connected Ethos, and more.
Director Art Freelance at Dentsu (Carat Views)
March 1, 2020 - July 18, 2025
Conceptualized advertising campaigns and annual reports across automotive and banking sectors. Strengthened client engagement by 40% through clear visual solutions. Managed end-to-end design processes ensuring client satisfaction and timely delivery. Clients included Motors GAC, Bank United Ahli, and Mall 360.
Director Art at Shandwick Weber
October 1, 2020 - July 18, 2025
Crafted innovative concepts boosting brand recognition by 55%. Partnered with clients' service teams and copywriters during ideation. Elevated client brand communication through strategic visual campaigns leading to 40% increase in customer engagement. Awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold MENA-PRCA awards for McDonald's campaigns.
Director Art & Designer Senior at Thompson Walter .J
December 31, 2017 - July 18, 2025
Created creative ideas for social media, digital, press ads, and OOH advertisements, boosting sales and brand awareness by 70%. Mentored and promoted junior designers, improving team performance by 50%. Awarded Gold EFFIE for work on Boubyan Bank campaign. Worked with clients such as Zain Telecom, IKEA, Volvo, and others.
Designer Graphic Senior at Advertising DartMedia
March 1, 2013 - July 18, 2025
Delivered campaigns for print, digital, and OOH media with 90% approval rate. Collaborated with marketing professionals and creatives to ensure cohesive branding. Created visuals for Yahoo & Google web banners increasing client engagement by 80%. Clients included Audi, Turkish Grill, University GUST among others.
Designer Graphic Senior at Pharmaceutical Industries Saudi Kuwait
March 1, 2009 - July 18, 2025
Designed marketing materials including packaging, inserts, and logos for pharmaceutical products. Collaborated with marketing teams to ensure compliance and quality control. Supported product launches increasing sales by 60% and product visibility by 80%. Worked on products like Dramylin, Iprofen, Fenamic, and others.
Designer Graphic at International Thrift Marketing & Advertising
December 1, 2006 - July 18, 2025
Created advertising visuals for fashion, automotive, and luxury brands. Managed multiple creative projects achieving 95% on-time delivery. Clients included Michelin, Versace, Chopard, TAG Heuer, and Trafalgar.
Junior Graphic Designer at Shams Advertising
July 1, 2004 - August 14, 2005
Assisted in design development and layout for print and display ads. Collaborated closely with studio manager for magazine spreads, banners, and brochures.
Senior Art Director | Creative Consultant at SIXONIQ
April 1, 2020 - Present
Provided freelance creative services and brand development support to agencies and companies across automotive, tech, lifestyle, health care, retail, and finance sectors. Directed over 50 brand and campaign projects with high client satisfaction; increased brand recognition through consistent visual identity and storytelling; led creative strategy for B2B, B2C, and D2C brands across multiple continents; developed logos, guidelines, campaigns, digital assets, and cross-platform creative.
Freelance Senior Art Director at Merkle
May 1, 2023 - July 1, 2024
Provided end-to-end creative services across brand campaigns, digital content, AI-driven concepts, exhibition materials, and marketing collateral. Boosted social media engagement by 60%; supported internal brand communication and AI-integrated creative concepts; led creation of brochures, pitch decks, e-books, digital marketing materials, and the rebranding of Merkle’s digital and YouTube channels.
Creative Lead | Art & Design Consultant at JUICE Creative Group
June 1, 2021 - January 1, 2024
Led a multidisciplinary team across branding, digital campaigns, and UI/UX from strategy to delivery. Improved creative workflow productivity by 70% through structured briefs, streamlined reviews, and faster approvals; directed copywriters, designers, developers, and animators across complex campaigns; developed logos, guidelines, campaigns, digital assets, and cross-platform creative.
Art Director at Weber Shandwick
October 1, 2017 - March 1, 2020
Created integrated campaigns for McDonald’s, financial sectors, healthcare, retail, and public sectors. Crafted innovative concepts boosting brand recognition by 55%; collaborated with client service teams to ensure bold yet strategic ideas; elevated client brands with an 80% increase in customer engagement and sales; awarded PRCA-MENA Gold, Silver, and Bronze for McDonald’s campaigns.
Freelance Art Director at Views Carat - Dentsu Aegis Network
February 1, 2017 - July 1, 2018
Freelance project-based model across automotive and banking sectors delivering concept-driven campaigns and visual communication. Conceptualized ad campaigns for print and digital, and annual reports; strengthened client engagement by 40% through clear, focused visual solutions.
Senior Designer | Art Director at J. Walter Thompson
December 1, 2013 - October 1, 2017
Lead Creative for INFINITI; crafted integrated campaigns for clients across automotive, banking, FMCG, and telecom sectors. Developed digital creative campaigns that boosted brand awareness and sales by 70%; awarded EFFIE Gold for Bank Boubyan campaign “Towards Perfection.”
Senior Graphic Designer | Art Director at Dart Media Advertising
March 1, 2009 - November 1, 2013
Delivered digital, print, and OOH campaigns with a 90% first-round concept approval rate; created visuals for press ads, digital, Google & Yahoo banners, and OOH media that boosted client engagement by 50%.
Senior Graphic Designer at Kuwait Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries
January 1, 2007 - March 1, 2009
Developed branding for multiple pharmaceutical lines within KSP brand guidelines; collaborated with QA and marketing to ensure consistency and compliance; improved product visibility by 80% and supported product launches that increased sales by 60%.

Education

Graphic and Aided Design Diploma at Bournemouth & Poole College
January 5, 2006 - November 30, 2007
Diploma in Graphic Design at Bournemouth & Poole College
January 11, 2030 - February 15, 2026
Diploma in Aided Design at Bournemouth & Poole College
January 11, 2030 - February 15, 2026

Qualifications

UX Design Professional Certificate
July 17, 2025 - July 17, 2025
Google
Professional Design UX
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Innovation for Thinking Design
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Society and Advertising
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Programming to Introduction
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
UX Design Professional Certificate
January 11, 2030 - February 15, 2026
Design Thinking for Innovation
January 11, 2030 - February 15, 2026
Advertising and Society
January 11, 2030 - February 15, 2026

Industry Experience

Agriculture & Mining, Education, Gaming, Healthcare, Media & Entertainment, Telecommunications, Travel & Hospitality, Transportation & Logistics, Energy & Utilities, Consumer Goods, Wholesale & Distribution, Real Estate & Construction, Financial Services, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Retail

Skills

Experience Level