Ian Grais Vancouver / Toronto
Ian Grais was born and raised in Western Canada. He studied economics at the University of British Columbia and then advertising and design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Prior to founding Rethink in 1999 with partners Tom Shepansky and Chris Staples, Ian was creative director of Palmer Jarvis, DDB Vancouver.
At Rethink, Ian creates and directs a wide range of projects in both Vancouver and Toronto encompassing advertising, design, interactive, branding and installation. His work has been consistently recognized by major international award shows, including Communication Arts, the One Show, Cannes and the Clios. He was ranked the number one art director in the country four years in a row (1997–2000) and he and his partner Chris Staples were ranked as Canada’s top creative directors in 2006, 2008 and 2009 by Strategy magazine. Ian has served on the jury of many industry award shows, including the ANDYs, Cannes, the Clios, Communication Arts, D&AD, and the One Show. He’s also been a guest speaker at national and international design and advertising conferences, and at Vancouver design schools counselling design and advertising students.
Currently Ian serves on the Graphic Design Advisory Committee at Kwantlen College and the Professional Advisory Board for the Illustration program at Sheridan College in Ontario.
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