Nicholas Costarides
Associate Creative Director / Art Director
Hi, please call me Nick.
I’m a Associate Creative Director in New York City. I love coming up with ideas and solutions and pride myself on putting in the work and getting my hands dirty to make them.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, and come from a large Greek family.
Before advertising, I managed the graveyard shift at my dad’s 24-hour diner, The Majestic–a place straight out of an Edward Hopper painting.
I also studied Art History and Creative Writing at Emory University. It’s here I learned the limitless potential that creativity and craft can have when paired with an idea.
Upon graduating, I went to Portfolio Center, where I gained a foundation in Art Direction and opened my eyes to what advertising can be: funny, engaging, inspiring, emotional, powerful, memorable, and more. I’ve never lost sense of that.
After I hung up my apron, I started my advertising career in New Orleans. Made it back to Atlanta. And then moved up to New York to work at Ogilvy. I’ve worked on clients and budgets, both tiny and mondo, and learned to adapt to just about any medium, from emerging tech to printing on a pancake. I’ve been fortunate to work with and learn from insanely talented and smart people. I’ve presented work that has made the most stringent client cry-laugh and work that’s made them actually cry–in a good way. Along the way, I authored a photography book on bicycles, designed a ton of band posters, and won some awards like Communication Arts, One Show, Addy’s, Effie’s, AMY, Ex Award, and OMMA.
When I’m not working, I like to torture myself by running a half or full marathon occasionally. I love biking around NYC and Brooklyn and seeing which diner has the best pancakes. I enjoy strumming the guitar and the bouzouki. And I drink too much small-batch coffee.
I want to continue making imaginative, creative work that stands out in every medium possible. I believe great advertising can solve the client’s needs as well as engage with the public. I’m looking to lead this charge with like-minded people who want to collaborate in an inspiring, friendly, and supportive environment.
I’m excited to make something amazing with you.
EXPERIENCE
Team One - NYC November 2022 - Current
Associate Creative Director
Lexus, Barclays Bank, KB Home
AREA 23 - NYC October 2021 - July 2022
VP Associate Creative Director (contract)
Teppeza, Soliqua from Sanofi
21GRAMS - NYC March 2021 - October 2021
VP Associate Creative Director
Sage Therapeutics
OGILVY -
NYC May 2018 - Jan 2021,
Atlanta, GA March 2012 - May 2018
Associate Creative Director
Philips, The UPS Store, IHG Hotels, Holiday Inn Express, CFA Institute, Samsung, Instagram, Chemours
ENGAUGE (merged with MOXIE/DIGITAS) - Atlanta, GA August 2011 - June 2012: Coca-Cola
Freelance Art Director
BBDO - Atlanta, GA: AT&T
JWT - Atlanta, GA: Marines, US Virgin Islands
OGILVY - Atlanta, GA: Durex, Zoosk, Boy Scouts
HUEY & PARTNERS - Atlanta, GA: Lycra Sport
BREENSMITH (CHEMISTRY) - Atlanta, GA: The Weather Channel, CNN International
PREMIERE GLOBAL - Atlanta, GA: in-house
Senior Art Director
BLUE SKY - Atlanta, GA:
Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Braves, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and National Geographic
KEATING MAGEE - New Orleans, LA:
House of Blues, Tulane Hospital, and Starwood Hotels
EDUCATION
PORTFOLIO CENTER - Atlanta, GA
Art Direction
EMORY UNIVERSITY- Atlanta, GA
Art History and Creative Writing
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TRANSFORMATION ESSENTIALS TRAINING PROGRAM
in association with Circus Street
GENERAL ASSEMBLY - Atlanta, GA
Intro to UX Design
HYPER ISLAND - NY, NY
Interactive Master Class
AWARDS
Communication Arts, One Show, Addy, Effie, AMY, Ex Award
SOFTWARE
Adobe CreatIve Suite