Erik Adolph

Creative Director · Sambazon Inc.

San Clemente, CA

In My Own Words

Erik Adolph is a consummate creative professional with a rich education in the art field and a deep resume as a leading art director and creative in the action sports arena. Erik has had a stellar career with industry leading brands like SPY Optic's, Gravis Footwear, Burton, O'Neill, Rusty and Op.

Work Experience

Creative Director

Sambazon Inc.

2019 – Present

Art Director

Youtheory

2013 – 2018

In this role, I was responsible for upholding global brand standards for Youtheory®. As AD it was my role to partner with copywriters, designers, marketing managers and product specialists in the development of packaging & marketing creative used across a broad range of outputs including; retail product displays, tradeshow booths, print advertising, website, social media, and consumer-facing events. I was responsible for overseeing and managing the creative work, refinement and overall visual appearance of design projects on behalf of the President & VP of Marketing to achieve customer satisfaction.

Creative Director

Spy Optic, Inc.,

2011 – 2012

AS CD my role was to manage all printed materials to convey the visual aesthetics of SPY Optics to a global audience of consumers and retailers. Accountable for the design and production of all prints ads for the Surf, Moto, Snow, Wake, RX and Performance segments. Instrumental in developing brand campaigns as well as creating mini-campaigns for key sales initiatives and seasonal stories. Created multiple catalogs and directed product, lifestyle, and athlete photo shoot both in the studio and on location. Also produced flyers, posters & event collateral, POP, and promotional web banners.

Art Director

The La Jolla Group

2008 – 2011

I worked directly with multiple Marketing Directors and Sales Directors to design and produce artwork for print advertising and lifestyle catalogs. I was responsible for the strategy, marketing and design of print materials for the key core surf accounts of Rusty and O’Neill in North America. My responsibilities included the concept and execution of print ads, catalogs, studio photo shoots, Trade Show Booth design, custom POP and window displays as well as specific website and social media strategies.

Art Director

Burton Snowboards

2007 – 2008

My responsibilities included the creative direction for the West Coast Brands including but not limited to Analog, Gravis, and Anon. Mainly I focused my time on Gravis Footwear which was undergoing a re-brand from surf into a skate lifestyle brand. We were responsible for making the branding timeless and recognizable. Everything we did had to be at the next level. I created a new identity system for Gravis that is still being used to this day on all product, packaging and print advertising around the world.

Art Director

Ocean Pacific Apparel Corporation

2001 – 2006

It was my role to oversee the development and execution of creative brand direction and innovative design strategies for print advertising, video, packaging, website, photography, in-store retail environments, and trade show booths.