Diego Nicolau
Designer
Global Executive Creative Director at Huge
New York
Former ECD & Head of Innovation at Isobar
Innovation Cannes Lions Winner
AI & Technology Enthusiast
Photographer
Entrepreneur
All Things Nerd
Diego Nicolau is an award-winning industry leader with over 24+ years of experience and passionate for crafting world-class digital products and brand experiences at the intersection of user-centricity and cutting-edge technology.
Diego believes we’re living in a golden age of design, where advancements in AI democratize creativity and empower ideas to create intelligent experiences like never before. His approach to design and brand strategy is rooted in an obsession for simplicity, storytelling, a deep understanding of culture and a maniacal focus on solving real problems.
Throughout his career Diego established himself as a truly hybrid creative and visionary by consistently mentoring senior directors and building high-performing multidisciplinary teams of Visual & UX designers, art-directors, copywriters, creative technologists, and motion/3D specialists who envisioned and delivered an impressive body of work spanning across branding, product innovation, digital product, e-commerce, campaign, PR, social, experiential, game, and content strategy for clients such as Spotify, Google, Youtube, Android, Nikon, Waymo, Virgin Voyages, Carnival Cruises, Planet Fitness, Pantone, McDonalds, Ulta Beauty, Santander, Samsung, Philips, Fiat Automobiles, Sky TV, Nivea, Coca-Cola, ESPN, and Gatorade.
Never afraid to roll up his sleeves Diego believes design is a craft of practitioners and the best way to build a culture of excellence is by exemple. He is a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and part of the jury of The Webby Awards since 2014. His work collected 60+ international awards among Cannes Lions, Clio, Effie, D&AD, Webby, FWA, LIA, One Show, El Ojo and IF Product Design Award.
Diego is a strong advocate for creativity, a speaker at design conferences, events and festivals, and is passionate about supporting emerging talent. In 2016 Diego was invited to serve as Teacher and Head of Program to help launch the British School of Creative Arts - EBAC in Brazil, an innovative educational center partner with the University of Hertfordshire (Great Britain), to stimulate the development of the creative economy in the country. More recently Diego led the D&AD Shift Master-Class on Consumer Behavior, an industry-led Bootcamp school program for emerging creatives who don’t have a college degree.