About Me — Kevin Patel

Freelance Creative Director, Art Director & Designer

Contact: kevin_patel@sky.com | 07951 251212 | Linkedin
I’m Kevin, a Freelance Creative, a former Group Creative Director who specialises in Conceptual Ideas, Art Direction and Design. I can also turn my hand to Digital Design (UX/UI). I’m available to work alone or as part of creative team, I can sketch ideas or jump on a mac and design. I’ve been in advertising for 19 years. I could write more about myself but I'd rather you read what colleagues and bosses have had to say about me. After all, they were paid well for their kind words.

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Dennis Willison, Creative Director.
Saatchi & Saatchi, CDP, BMP, Connect Advertising.
“I’ve been fortunate to have worked with some of the best art directors and typographers in advertising. At BMP – now Adam and Eve DDB – in the late eighties, I saw amazing layouts and design created by Gary Denham, Paul Leeves and Rooney Caruthers, with the help of the brilliant typographer Dave Wakefield.
Later at Collett, Dickenson and Pearce it was art directors like Neil Godfrey and Graham Rose who immortalised clients such as Hovis, Benson and Hedges and Olympus Cameras with stunning photography and art direction so effortless and considered that it never got in the way of the ‘idea.’
After CDP, I spent fifteen years at Saatchi and Saatchi with Alexandra Taylor as head of art and Roger Kennedy – probably the best advertising press typographer we’ve ever seen in our industry.
So I think this experience has helped me recognise that an art director like Kevin – who I’ve worked with for over six years – could stand in the same room as those I’ve mentioned here, and not feel out of place.
Of course times change and the digital page is now another touch–point for every art director and typographer to show what they can do. But it’s only the really gifted art directors who have that spatial awareness and feel for type and imagery that can go from page to screen so effortlessly.
And this is where present art directors like Kevin might just get the better of those I’ve mentioned in the past.

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Kev is one of those people who not only seem to be able to turn their hand to anything and everything but who also manages to be able do it very, very well. He has to be the archetype for the modern day Art Director/advertising creative. He is a smart, quick-witted thinker with a heap of ideas and a wide range of skills at his disposal. He is a master craftsman with a mac, his typography and lettering are just divine and to top it all off, he can think with clarity and precision on any kind of brief. If all that wasn't enough, he can manage any project, large or small with intellect, drive and enthusiasm too. He has to be one of the best, if not the best, all round creatives that I have had the pleasure of working with.
If I were to be looking to build a team, Kev would be in it, if I was about to tackle a huge multi-layered, global project, I'd want Kev on it, because he is not only a good man in a storm but he is also a genuinely lovely bloke to be around. His honesty is as refreshing as his kind, friendly nature, so If you ever get a chance to work with Kev, I'd take it because you will not only make some exceptional, award worthy work but you may also learn something too.

Shaun Loynds, Creative Director, Creative Group Head.
Life Agency, McCann.
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Kev is one of those rare art directors who has it all.
Conceptually, he’s an extremely strong, original thinker with an infectious zest for great ideas. More importantly, he knows how to judge an idea too. (He should do, he’s judged at Kinsale.)
Adding to the strength of his conceptual side, comes his art directional craft. Which, I have to say is world class. No words I could ever write would do Kev’s supreme level of craft justice. See it for yourself. It speaks for itself.
I’ve known and worked with Kev for many years – and he truly is one of the most gifted art directors and creative thinkers that I know. To cap it all, he’s a positive, brilliant person to work with. And an amazing talent to have on your side.

Dave Eyre, Head of Copy.
Havas - Franklin.
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Kev is a great person to work with, and for. He’s a very talented Art Director, full of enthusiasm, always looking for new ways of doing things, very creative. He’s also very versatile, few people are as good at UX as they are at traditional art direction, Kev excels in both. Whether you need a website that not only looks amazing, but works seamlessly across all platforms, an award winning advertising campaign, or an outstanding piece of graphic design. Kev’s your man. One glance at his book will tell you that.
As a Creative Director, you need a lot more than talent to win and keep the respect of a creative department. You need to pick the right people for the job. Kev’s good at that. You need to give them direction and allow them the freedom to do their own thing. He’s very good at that. You need to be able to spot a great idea, amongst a sea of good ideas. He’s brilliant at that. Most importantly you need to be able to inspire people to do great work. And that’s Kev’s greatest strength. He doesn’t do average and he won’t settle second best. He always wants to raise the bar and he inspires people around him to do the same. That’s what makes Kev – Kev.
Keith Dallaway, Head of Copy.
Connect Advertising, ITG.
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"Kevin is every creative cliché in the book. Passionate? Check. Hungry for success? Ravenous. Challenging? Unquestionably. Having worked closely with Kevin on both print and digital projects, his natural creative flair and desire to produce only beautiful work, whatever the cost, always shone through. As did his exceptional craft skills and mischievous sense of humour. Kevin is also one of the most willingly collaborative creatives I’ve ever worked with, having a real respect for skill sets different from his own. It should be noted however, he was always a little apathetic when it came to making a brew for his colleagues. As I say, every cliché in the book."
Andrew Sheldrick, Copywriter.
Sheldrick Creative.

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" I had the pleasure of working with Kev in my capacity as Creative Director. During that time he proved himself to be incredibly reliable. He always approached the brief enthusiastically and produces only well considered work, beautifully executed. He has a lovely touch. Kev is a really decent bloke too, with good values and a great work ethic. I have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone looking for these all-to-rare qualities, he will be a great, trusted asset to your department.

Stu Perry, Creative Director.
M3 Agency, Connect Advertising, McCann.

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"It was a very sorry day when Kevin resigned and I still miss his enthusiasm, sense of humour and skills. A very talented all round Art Director. I look forward to the day that we work together again, hopefully in the near future."

Paul Baker, Creative Director.
Chosen Agency, McCann, Saatchi & Saatchi.

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Kevin is a naturally-gifted creative who regularly produced beautiful work even on difficult briefs. Kevin is a great personality to have around and is one the finest I've worked with for flair.
Gary Setchell, Creative Director
Chosen Agency, McCann.

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"I remember the day Kevin arrived for an interview at Chosen. Before seeing any of his work he stood out from the crowd. Confident, ambitious, but never cocky. He did a great job, and earned colleagues' respect throughout the business. Big tick from me."

Andy Sylvester, Creative Director.
Chosen Agency.

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"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kev over the last couple of years. Bags of talent...bags of fun. I've seen some beautiful work created and art directed for both online and traditional media. Always original and keen to push for a better result, both creatively and for the client. A great guy to have around."
Tim Kelly, Senior Art Director.
Connect Advertising, McCann.

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"Although Kevin is shorter than the average male, his personality and ability to inject life into the working environment is bigger than one might reasonably expect. And whilst it is true that he has a tendency to sport somewhat ludicrous footwear (banana yellow, faux-leather sneakers; multi-coloured, lavishly-laced honkey-bouncers) it should be said that he’s a handy little fella to have around. He’s someone who can be counted on when deadlines loom.
He thinks he’s good at football, but he isn’t. He thinks he’s a good dancer, but he isn’t. He thinks he’s God’s gift to women, but he isn’t. Still, at least he thinks! And that’s always a good thing in a Creative."
Tom Kelly, Copywriter.
Chosen Agency.

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Kevin is a creative art director who can realise beautiful visuals for both online and offline. He's fun to work with, even under pressure, and always produces the goods. I can't recommend him enough. Mostly though, he made my words look amazing. Very important in my book.

Mark Lawrence, Copywriter.
RBH, Connect Advertising.

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"Kevin is a truly gifted art director, he excels in both digital and print. It was real a pleasure working with him, when the pressure was on, Kev always come up with the goods. It comes as no surprise that he is now a Creative Director. He's also a lot of fun to be around. I can't recommend him enough!"

Mark Fennell, Head of Art.
Chosen Agency.

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"Kevin is a very talented creative. Over the many years I've worked with Kev I have seen him come up with fantastic ideas and then bring them to life. He really cares about the end result and never just pushes work through to get it out the door. He also really gets his head into the brief to ensure the work produces results. I hope our paths cross again!"
Liz Hemes, Head of Account Management.
LHM, Chosen Agency.

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Skills

Above-the-line, below-the-line, through-the-line, on-the-line, off-the-line...VAR!

Software

Awards

Roses Awards:
1 Silver
Cream Awards:
2 Golds
4 Silvers
2 Bronze
Fresh Awards:
3 Silvers

Juror at Kinsale Shark Awards 2016
www.kinsalesharks.com/jury/2016