Ten questions with… Adam Smith

We’re excited to welcome award winning Senior Designer and branding specialist Adam Smith to the creative team!

Adam brings some fantastic experience and a stellar portfolio to the studio (as well as a mild addiction to gummy bears), and we’re excited to see him get stuck in. Here’s ten questions to get to know him a little better…

Adam Smith

1. What do you do? 

I’m a multidisciplinary designer, who over the last several years has developed a specialism in Brand Strategy and Design. However, I also have an ever growing interest in Visual Design for web, which in many ways still falls under the umbrella of Brand. I am looking forward to bringing these skills to the table at ZAP Creative!

2. What’s your career highlight so far?

I have spent almost a decade working in the Design Agency arena. Prior to joining ZAP Creative, I experienced working in an Award Winning team. I was and still am proud to have played an integral part in that success, while operating in a Senior role and helping to inspire innovation.

3. Which brand excites you the most at the moment? (Doesn’t have to be one of ours!)

It isn’t a most recent example, but I was blown away by the rebrand of the Premier League. I was privileged to attend a talk that explained the efforts and energy that went behind this. Being an avid football fan, I am exposed to it a lot in terms of print promotion and online. It’s consistent , contemporary and energised. Absolutely love it – from geometric shapes, neon colour and geometric shapes it’s a real visual feast!

4. Who’s your favourite graphic artist?

So many to choose from, but I would say Aaron Draplin. His simplicity is refreshing. In many ways there is a purism that I admire. His style somehow remains playful yet accessible – almost universal in its uniformity. Put even more simply, it’s good ol’ fashioned shape, colour and symmetry. I suppose in a world of complexity and ever increasing speeds, the simplest of plush elements still maintain the ability to absorb us then resonate.

5. What attracted you to Zap?

As an agency it was apparent that ZAP Creative promoted creativity and consistency. The brands they work on are so energised aesthetically, which is really inspiring. Even more so now I am experiencing these first hand.

6. Last film you watched?

Tenet, directed by Christopher Nolan – who I hold in very high regard. Sadly and to my surprise it failed to deliver.

7. What’s your guilty pleasure?

Simple one. Gummy Bears. Worth the fillings!

8. Most embarrassing moment?

So many and more I wouldn’t be able to share. But one that always springs to mind was managing to pull my hamstring while simply sitting down on a chair during an interview. At the time this proceeded to go very well – both to my delight and distress. I managed to hold it together and happy to say I got the gig without them ever noticing!

9. If you could choose any superpower…

I am very passionate about what I do and one of the only things that compares is my dedication to being a Dad. Striking a balance can be hard and often as designers we are left time poor. So I would say either the ability to be in 2 places at once, or manipulate time.

10. What are you looking forward to most this year?

Several things. Pushing forward in my career at ZAP Creative, with a team who are all so welcoming. Also making time to spend with my family, which is something I as well as many others have a new appreciation for due to the pandemic and enforced lockdown(s). My son is still very little, so it is a joy to be able to experience him grow up much more than I normally would.