A · S
ANISH SUNDARAN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR • DESIGN DIRECTOR • BOMBAY •

Making things thatmatter to people.

Creative Director with 17+ years leading brands, products and campaigns across advertising, design and technology. I've built identities, launched products, mentored multidisciplinary teams and helped organisations create work that scales without compromising craft.

50+ industry awards · Featured on Behance · Creative leadership across brand, product and marketing

Selected work
Brands worked with
SELECTED
WORK
About

Leading teams.
Building systems.
Making ideas work.

17+
Years experience
50+
Industry awards

For the last 17 years I've helped organisations solve creative problems at every scale, from campaign ideas and brand identities to design systems used by millions. My role has changed over the years. The job hasn't: understand the problem, find the right idea and help talented people bring it to life.

I've worked with some of the world's largest brands across FMCG, fintech, automotive and entertainment, from global multinationals to homegrown Indian names. Through some of the best agencies in the country, the work has been recognised at the Effies, Adfest, Kyoorius, DMA International and Campaign Asia.

I've spent my career working across agencies and in-house teams, which taught me that great creative isn't about choosing between brand and business. It's about making both stronger.

Outside work you'll usually find me running, exploring fragrances, obsessing over typography or experimenting with AI workflows for creative teams.

What I believe

I believe great creative comes from clarity, not complexity. The strongest brands are built on simple ideas, disciplined systems and teams that care deeply about craft. Technology changes. Audiences change. Good thinking doesn't.

On working with AI

I use AI to expand thinking, accelerate exploration and remove repetitive work, not to replace creative judgement.

Claude and ChatGPT for concepting and pressure-testing ideas before they reach a team. Shutterstock GenAI, Gemini and ChatGPT image tools for generating and localising visual work to the Indian market, the range and speed a multilingual platform demands.

Nothing ships on the model's word alone. Every output is checked for cultural accuracy and craft before it reaches a market. Prompting is a discipline I keep sharpening, not a one-off.

Career
2023 – Present
Associate Director, Graphic Design
JioSaavn

Brought in to lead graphic design and to redefine JioSaavn's brand system. The work spans brand campaigns, design systems, editorial frameworks and the visual identity that hundreds of millions of listeners interact with daily.

2021
Creative Director
Leo Burnett

Directed digital creative across Jeep, Pampers, Spotify, JioMart and Bajaj Auto. Led the launch of the 2021 Jeep Compass and Wrangler in India.

2018–2021
Creative Director
Indigo Consulting

Led Spotify India's launch across 600+ executions, 10+ platforms and award-winning campaigns recognised at APAC Effies, Adfest and India Effies. Also directed URI × PUBG, Oral-B's kids category launch, Siemens IWD campaigns, Pampers India, EUME and Dreamery.

2018
Creative Director
Jack in the Box Worldwide

Led creative for Tata Motors, Starbucks, Surf Excel, Parachute Advansed and Bru Coffee. Built and mentored a team of designers across brand and campaign work.

2015–2017
Senior Creative Controller
IBS Fulcro

Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, Aristocrat, Airtel 4G, and brand work for Samsung and Gap. Instrumental in IBS Fulcro winning Campaign Asia Independent Agency of the Year, twice.

2013–2014
Sr. Art Director
IMG Worldwide

Directed the IPL Tournament Handbook and IPL Media Handbook. Where I learnt that precision and craft aren't optional.

2010–2012
Designer
Design Temple

Visual identity for Stanley Ka Dabba (National Award-winning film). Animania and Hindustan Hipsters product collections. The foundations were laid here.

2009–2010
Senior Visualiser
Pen A Trait Communications

Advertising school, no degree required. Campaigns across print and activation. Fast briefs, faster turnarounds, and the discipline of making something good out of nothing much.

2008–2009
Graphic Designer
Savannah Lifestyle

Learning that luxury lives in the details. Marketing materials for Vie Lounge, C'est la Vie and Ted Lapidus, where every detail of visual language carries the weight of the experience.

2007–2008
Graphic Designer
Paulmiger Designs

Print, packaging, logos and ads. Learning to draw before learning to direct.

Awards
GoldStreaming Media Awards 2020 · Best Video-led Marketing Campaign, Reliance Fresh
GoldStreaming Media Awards 2020 · Best Viral Video, Reliance Fresh
GoldDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Best Use of Experiential, SCMM The BEST Sign
GoldDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Business Effectiveness, Airtel
GoldIDMA 2017 · Best Digital Response Campaign, Aristocrat
GoldIDMA 2016 · Integrated Media Campaign (Corporate), Standard Chartered Marathon
GoldIDMA 2016 · Integrated Media Campaign (Events), Standard Chartered Marathon
GoldIDMA 2016 · Best Banner, Airtel 4G Launch
GoldDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Business & Consumer Services, Airtel 4G
GoldDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Direct Response, Airtel 4G
SilverAPAC Effies 2020 · New Product or Service, Spotify India Launch
SilverIndia Effies 2020 · Media & Entertainment Companies, Spotify India Launch
SilverStreaming Media Awards 2020 · Best Audio-led Marketing Campaign, Reliance Fresh
SilverThe Maddies 2019 · Best Amplification Campaign, URI × PUBG
SilverThe Maddies 2019 · Best Use of Apps / Games for Marketing, URI × PUBG
SilverDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Creative Effectiveness, Airtel
SilverDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Media Effectiveness, Airtel
SilverIDMA 2016 · Campaign with Best ROI, Airtel 4G Launch
SilverDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Innovation in Digital Display, Airtel 4G
SilverDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Interactive, Display Advertising, Airtel 4G
SilverCampaign India Digital Crest 2016 · Experiential Advertising, Standard Chartered Marathon
SilverCampaign India Digital Crest 2016 · Digital Strategy, Airtel 4G Launch
BronzeAdfest 2020 · Integrated Campaign, Spotify India Launch
BronzeStreaming Media Awards 2020 · Best Music Video, Reliance Fresh
BronzeDMA International Echo 2017 · Best Use of Artificial Intelligence, Aristocrat
BronzeDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Not for Profit, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Interactive, Social Media, Airtel
BronzeDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Interactive, Display Advertising, Airtel
BronzeDMA Asia Echo 2017 · Best Use of Multi-channel Strategy, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeCreative ABBYS 2017 · Best Use of Digital Media, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Not for Profit, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Multi-channel Strategy, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeDMA CreatEffect 2016 · Interactive, Social Media, Airtel 4G
BronzeEMVIES 2016 · Digital Media Innovation, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeEMVIES 2016 · Best Media Innovation, Digital, Airtel 4G Launch
BronzeABBYS 2016 · Best Use of Digital Display Advertising, Airtel 4G Launch
BronzeABBYS 2016 · Best Use of Digital as a Medium, Airtel 4G Launch
BronzeABBYS 2016 · Direct Response, Digital, Airtel 4G Launch
BronzeCampaign India Digital Crest 2016 · Digital Strategy, Standard Chartered Marathon
BronzeCampaign India Digital Crest 2016 · Online Marketing, Airtel 4G Launch
Blue ElephantKyoorius 2017 · Use of Social Platforms, Aristocrat
In-bookKyoorius 2017 · Direct Response, The BEST Sign, Standard Chartered Marathon
In-bookKyoorius 2017 · Use of Outdoor, The BEST Sign, Standard Chartered Marathon
In-bookKyoorius 2016 · Use of Online Display, Airtel 4G Launch
Agency of the YearCampaign Asia 2017 · South Asia Independent Agency of the Year, IBS Fulcro
Agency of the YearCampaign Asia 2017 · South Asia Social Media Agency of the Year, IBS Fulcro
Agency of the YearCampaign India Digital Crest 2016 · Agency of the Year, IBS Fulcro
Agency of the YearCampaign Asia 2016 · South Asia Independent Agency of the Year, IBS Fulcro
Agency of the YearCampaign Asia 2016 · India Digital Agency of the Year, IBS Fulcro
FeaturedBehance · Hexy Font Family, Typography
FeaturedBehance · Cheerharan Toilet Paper, Packaging Design
Get in touch

Let's build something
worth remembering.

Bombay, India · Available for Projects & Collaborations