One thing I like even better than design is watching people interact, benefit from, and enjoy the things I’ve helped make.
Skills
Strategy, Creative Direction, Branding, Illustration, Wireframes, UI Graphics, Style Guides, Pattern Libraries, Keynote Presentations, Public Speaking, Concept Sketches, Mockups, Experience Design, Mood boards, Storyboards, Photography, Shooting/Editing Video.
Software
Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition, ProCreate, Sketch, Figma, Lightroom Classic, Numbers, Keynote, Pages, and Google Workspace
Honors
2024 Ford Recognition Award (from William Kirby) “Solve Together” (Demonstrating Collaboration)
2023 Ford Recognition Award (from Jim Baumbick) “Excellence - Deliver It.”
2022 Ford Recognition Award (from Nadia Preston) “Partner for expertise and efficiency” (December)
2022 Ford Recognition Award (from Dustin Hostetler) “Disrupt ourselves” (October)
2021 Ford Recognition Awards (from Jessica Vollendorf) “Play to Win” (December)
2021 Ford Recognition Awards (from Jessica Vollendorf) “Be Curious” (November)
2021 National Association of Automobile Museum (NAAM) Conference - 1st place in Books & Exhibit (BMW Passion)
2021 National Association of Automobile Museum (NAAM) Conference - 1st place in Interpretive Exhibits: (BMW Passion)
2021 National Association of Automobile Museum (NAAM) Conference - 2nd place: Events: ICON (2019)
2020 Car and Drivers: “Best Gift Ideas for the Car Lover in Your Life” - BMW books
2020 Jim Town Award - This award goes to the Fortis team member that most embodies the "going above and beyond" mentality
2018 Sappi: BMW book - Silver Award
2018 National Association of Automobile Museums - 1st Place in Books & Exhibit
2017 Skillshare - Featured Student in Skillshare’s, “Skillshare Stories” video series.
2016 Invited attendee at FOST (The Future of StoryTelling) invitation-only Summit in NYC
2015 Facebook’s Social Good App of the Year - 1st Place
2015 Brad Montague’s “Go Camp” - Guest Speaker
2014 MailChimp Coffee Hour - Guest Speaker
2011 The Die Guide - Rice Bowl Resource Kit
2010 How Magazine’s international interactive design competition - Merit Award
2009 Two Silver Telly Awards
2009 Nine International film festivals awards (for animated TV commercials)
• RECOMMENDATIONS •
GREG CORDELL
(Chief Inspiration Officer at Brains on Fire)
“I have had the pleasure of working with many people who can change lives. I've worked with the Smart people and the Clever people. I've worked with the Bold and the Savvy people. But the people I will never forget are those that can only be described as the Magic people. Bryan Martin is one of the Magic people.”
WILL GRAY
(Founder at Vocationality)
Bryan is a whimsical design maestro. He's heaps of fun to work with, and his designs are elegant, welcoming, and powerful. Across a slightly intimidating range of the design spectrum, he knocks it out of the park. App design. Interface design. Document design. Icon creation. Illustration. Video shooting and editing. I could go on. Whether you need a world-class art book (he's been there, done that), or a stellar app that's never existed before (ditto), Bryan's your man. And chances are, you'll hear some fabulous stories and great jokes along the way too.
SAM WICKERT
(Director / VFX / VR / YouTube Creator at SOKRISPYMEDIA)
“I've had the pleasure of working with Bryan for many years now on both films and branded projects. From logo design to complete app rebranding, Bryan goes the extra mile to make his work shine. Not only is he both an incredible designer, but he knows tech inside and out. This allows him to work closely and design intelligently for any application. I look forward to working further with Bryan on future branded video game and film projects!”
CHRISTOPHER TOBIAS
(Senior Communication Designer at D-Ford)
“Bryan is one of the most creative people I know—hands down. He thinks and creates with the freedom of a child and executes with the beauty of a master. Two skills I am deeply envious of. Oh-and he's a great guy to boot!”
DREW UNGVARSKY
(CEO & Chief Creative Officer at Grow)
Bryan's creative genius is infectious. His care and consideration for a brand's success is evident from the moment you meet him, and you can see it in each of his projects. I'm counting the days until we get to work with Bryan again.
BRANDY AMIDON
(Co-President and CFO at Brains on Fire)
“I'd sign up for ANY project/chance to work with Bryan Martin! I've seen his beautiful mind at work dreaming and playing, but also following through on ideas to see them come to life. His loving and compassionate spirit is wildly contagious to be around!”
SCOTT DISHMAN
(Former Executive Director at BMW Car Club of America Foundation)
Bryan is much more than a graphic designer, although he is a very good designer. He's really a branding guy at heart, who understands what can make a brand unique and compelling in a noisy world. This understanding then leads him to graphic and communications solutions that are rooted in strategy and impact, rather than just what looks good. Bryan lives and works in Greenville, but he can go up against any brand designer in any market. Of course, to take full advantage of Bryan's talent, one has to be a good client and give him the space he needs to do his thing. Clients who get overly prescriptive with Bryan will miss out on what he does best. Highly recommended, with no reservations.
DODD CALDWELL
(Founder at MoonClerk and President of Rice Bowls)
Have you ever worked with or met someone so talented that you've wondered, "How are they not famous?" I have. I've worked with Bryan Martin. You've heard the saying - Jack of all trades, master of none. That's usually true. Usually. Bryan is the rare exception. He is a master of most everything creative - illustrator, costume designer, mentor, creative director, copywriter, graphic designer, videographer, editor, sculptor, producer, typographer, and more. And if he doesn't know how to do it, he'll figure it out and the end result will probably be better than what the "experts" with years of experience can come up with. Bryan is able to get to and understand the true "why" of the projects he works on and is then able to execute the "how". He's as much a creative executer as he is a creative director. And he's not restricted to one creative style. He's able to synthesize a wide range of eclectic styles, ideas, trends, art, music, and history to fit the project. He doesn't make the project fit him. He's able to discover talent, convince them to work with him, and mentor them. He's as likely to hire a teenage-prodigy-in-the-making and mentor them as he is to convince a famous artist to collaborate with him. Bryan is one of the few people I've worked with who I can say, "He's world class."
Embarrassing drawings often lead to great ideas.
Several years ago, 9/8 Central made this video about me and how my less than perfect drawings (which are not impressive or show-worthy) often lead to better ideas. This remains true for me today.