For over three decades, I’ve been the creative Swiss Army knife behind bold brand stories for everyone from global giants to scrappy start-ups. My superpower? Helping organizations find, and shout, their real voices (without any megaphone feedback). Whether it’s design, photography, podcasts, video, print, or marketing, I jump in with a storyteller’s passion, a teammate’s spirit, and a healthy obsession for making things that matter. I don’t just direct, I actually do the work. Trends? I prefer classics with a twist – think timeless, not tired.
My creative adventure began in my teens, thanks to my brother, Jeff Girard, a design legend and Art Director of Surfer Magazine. In my twenties, I traded textbooks for real-world production work in his studio, learning by doing (and occasionally by spectacular mistake). That hands-on crash course taught me to zig when others zag, push past the obvious, and treat resilience like a secret weapon. Since then, I’ve freelanced, run a boutique agency, led creative teams, and finally circled back to the joy of flying solo. The people I meet and the stories we create together? That’s the real reward.
Turning client visions into reality isn’t just my job – it’s my favorite obsession (that and strong morning coffee). I geek out over finding the perfect format for every story, mixing craft, flexibility, and transparent communication. Building trust and sweating the details is my recipe for partnerships that actually last and keep getting better.
I’ve teamed up with brands like the San Francisco 49ers, Del Taco, Quiksilver, Toshiba, and The Irvine Company, as well as some pretty visionary folks in healthcare, education, and nonprofits. Each project has stretched my creative boundaries (sometimes like yoga, sometimes more like trying to fold a fitted sheet). Growth? It’s all about saying yes to the unfamiliar, even if it means a few creative cartwheels along the way.
From magazine layouts to head-turning marketing materials, immersive online experiences, and binge-worthy video and podcasts (okay, maybe not Netflix-level binge-worthy), my creative toolkit is always getting an upgrade. Along the way, my work has picked up 15 international awards, popped up in industry podcasts and blogs, and even made it into the HOW Design Promotion Issue (humblebrag – sorry, couldn’t resist).
And that’s my story: part creative adventure, part caffeine-fueled quest, and all about helping brands tell their own. If you’re looking for someone who can bring ideas to life—and crack a joke or two along the way—I’m your person. Ready when you are (fitted sheet not required).