I’m a Toronto-based creative director and art director with 20+ years of experience shaping brand identity, campaign, and experiential design across music and film. I’ve led creative direction for major live-music brands, including four consecutive years as creative director for Virgin Music Festival and work for the Comes With Music (CWM) platform. Through my independent practice, Make Noise Collective, I partner with artists, festivals, labels, and select commercial clients to deliver brand strategy, art direction, and motion/video content. My experience also includes rebranding and digital-first identity work—such as Shaftesbury Films’ Shift2 and Roxodus Music Festival—plus leadership roles across The Official Community and other entertainment-focused groups.…

Christopher Johnston

I’m a Toronto-based creative director and art director with 20+ years of experience shaping brand identity, campaign, and experiential design across music and film. I’ve led creative direction for major live-music brands, including four consecutive years as creative director for Virgin Music Festival and work for the Comes With Music (CWM) platform. Through my independent practice, Make Noise Collective, I partner with artists, festivals, labels, and select commercial clients to deliver brand strategy, art direction, and motion/video content. My experience also includes rebranding and digital-first identity work—such as Shaftesbury Films’ Shift2 and Roxodus Music Festival—plus leadership roles across The Official Community and other entertainment-focused groups.…

Available to hire

I’m a Toronto-based creative director and art director with 20+ years of experience shaping brand identity, campaign, and experiential design across music and film. I’ve led creative direction for major live-music brands, including four consecutive years as creative director for Virgin Music Festival and work for the Comes With Music (CWM) platform.

Through my independent practice, Make Noise Collective, I partner with artists, festivals, labels, and select commercial clients to deliver brand strategy, art direction, and motion/video content. My experience also includes rebranding and digital-first identity work—such as Shaftesbury Films’ Shift2 and Roxodus Music Festival—plus leadership roles across The Official Community and other entertainment-focused groups.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Creative Director / VP Brand at The Official Community
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2023
Led a rebranding initiative focused on strengthening the organization’s web presence and office culture, working closely with artists, managers, and labels. Directed the visual identity, including artist website design, and developed premium merchandise offerings. Built strong working relationships across the design process and supported a roster of prominent music clients.
Creative Director / Art Director at Roxodus Music Festival
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019
Developed and launched the festival’s brand identity as a full-time creative director, overseeing communications, website and social media design, signage, and experiential design across festival touchpoints. Owned the overall creative vision for a high-profile brand launch.
Creative Director at Roxodus Music Festival
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2019
Led full rebrand of a high-profile Canadian music festival from identity through all touchpoints. Developed visual language, key art, signage, digital, and marketing materials for a large-scale festival launch. Project was cancelled due to external factors; full creative system was completed.
Creative Director at The Debut Group
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Provided creative direction across branding, staging, video content, and motion graphics projects. Collaborated on client work spanning multiple industries, delivering cohesive visual systems and production-ready content.
Creative Director at The Traveller Inc.
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Designed and directed corporate incentive travel program platforms to ensure a cohesive creative experience across attendee touchpoints. Delivered end-to-end visual direction and ensured continuity from pre-event materials through on-site brand experiences.
Creative Director / Partner at Make Noise Collective
January 1, 2012 - Present
Founded and operate an independent creative practice providing brand identity, art direction, motion graphics, and video content for clients in music, entertainment, and culture branding, plus select commercial engagements. Led key visual identity direction for initiatives including The Legends Series and Comes With Music (CWM). Delivered brand identity and campaign creative for artists, festivals, and independent film projects, and supported ongoing key art development for independent film producers.
Founder & Creative Director at Make Noise Collective
January 1, 2012 - Present
Independent creative practice spanning brand identity, campaign design, packaging, digital, and experiential across music, events, CPG, and corporate sectors. Notable clients include Coca-Cola, L'Oréal, Red Bull, and Molson. Delivered end-to-end creative from strategy and concepting through production and final delivery.
Creative Director at Virgin Mobile / Virgin Music Festival / Virgin Unite
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2009
Developed the visual and brand identity for Virgin Music Festival over four years, leading creative initiatives for the internal Virgin team. Directed program development including website design, on-site video screen content, merchandise design, and stage design, supporting both festival operations and associated Virgin Unite fundraising events.
Creative Director / Senior Designer at Virgin Music Festival
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2009
Core creative team member across four festival seasons. Responsible for poster design, key art, on-site signage, print, and digital campaign assets. Developed visual identity extensions and marketing materials for one of Canada's premier music festivals.

Education

BDes, Graphic Design at OCAD University, Toronto, ON
January 1, 1992 - January 1, 1994
Graphic Design at George Brown College, Toronto, ON
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1991

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Consumer Goods, Professional Services, Retail, Manufacturing, Other, Non-Profit Organization
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