︎ linkedin.com/in/qgourki
Kiumars “Q” Gourki is a creative director and branding consultant with over 20 years of experience building brands, developing campaigns, and helping organizations find their voice and connect with their audiences.
His experience spans industries including health, technology, automotive, travel, and lifestyle, working with everyone from global brands to startups and nonprofits. Over the years, he's led creative teams, developed brand identities, launched integrated campaigns, and helped businesses navigate growth and change. He's learned that strong creative work comes from understanding the business, asking the right questions, and finding ideas that are both relevant and unexpected.
As Principal of Studio Gourki, Q works directly with founders, executives, and in-house teams on brand strategy, identity, and creative direction. He's also partnered with agencies across the country on campaigns and new business pitches. Before starting his own studio, he worked at Fallon, ColleMcVoy, RPA, and Vitro, developing work for brands including BMW, Honda, United Airlines, Red Wing Shoes, Mandalay Bay, and Asics.
Q brings a mix of strategic thinking, art direction, and hands-on design experience to his work. He enjoys taking complex challenges and turning them into clear, compelling ideas, whether that's building a brand from scratch, repositioning an established business, or developing a campaign that changes how people see a product or organization. For him, good design isn't just about aesthetics. It's about having a point of view, making thoughtful choices, and creating work that has a purpose.
These days, Q splits his time between consulting, creative direction, and teaching design, something that's given him a fresh appreciation for the creative process and the next generation of designers. He continues to enjoy working with curious, collaborative people who care about what they make and how they make it.
When he’s not working, you’ll usually find him on a surfboard or tinkering with things on wheels.
︎︎︎ Fun facts: speaks three languages and holds three nationalities.
His experience spans industries including health, technology, automotive, travel, and lifestyle, working with everyone from global brands to startups and nonprofits. Over the years, he's led creative teams, developed brand identities, launched integrated campaigns, and helped businesses navigate growth and change. He's learned that strong creative work comes from understanding the business, asking the right questions, and finding ideas that are both relevant and unexpected.
As Principal of Studio Gourki, Q works directly with founders, executives, and in-house teams on brand strategy, identity, and creative direction. He's also partnered with agencies across the country on campaigns and new business pitches. Before starting his own studio, he worked at Fallon, ColleMcVoy, RPA, and Vitro, developing work for brands including BMW, Honda, United Airlines, Red Wing Shoes, Mandalay Bay, and Asics.
Q brings a mix of strategic thinking, art direction, and hands-on design experience to his work. He enjoys taking complex challenges and turning them into clear, compelling ideas, whether that's building a brand from scratch, repositioning an established business, or developing a campaign that changes how people see a product or organization. For him, good design isn't just about aesthetics. It's about having a point of view, making thoughtful choices, and creating work that has a purpose.
These days, Q splits his time between consulting, creative direction, and teaching design, something that's given him a fresh appreciation for the creative process and the next generation of designers. He continues to enjoy working with curious, collaborative people who care about what they make and how they make it.
When he’s not working, you’ll usually find him on a surfboard or tinkering with things on wheels.
︎︎︎ Fun facts: speaks three languages and holds three nationalities.
EXPERIENCE
Secretly Scandinavian
CD/Art Director/Designer, 2023-present
Studio Gourki
CD/Art Director/Designer, 2013-present
Laguna College of Art and Design
Adjunct Professor/Graphic Design, present
Vitro
CD/Art Director, 2012-2013
RPA
ACD/Art Director, 2010-2012
Animal Creative
Partner/CD, 2005-2010
(Animal was a traditional and digital boutique creative agency.)
Vitro Robertson
Sr. Art Director, 2004-2005
Colle McVoy
Art Director, 2002-2004
Fallon
Art Director, 1998-2002
HONORS
Addy
Communication Arts
The One Show
The Show
The Obies
CMYK magazine
Creativity
Adweek
How
New York Times
Ads of the world
Mashable
BRANDS
Asics
Ballard / Avanos
Best Buy
Blue Cross Blue Shield
BMW USA
California Credit Union
Citi
Cobra Golf
Commongrounds Coworking
Culvers
Discovery
Earthjustice
Egglife
Farmers Insurance
Georgia Pacific
Healthy Living Network
Helix biopharma
Hollywood Bowl/LA Phil
Holiday Inn Express
Honda North America
Intuit
JBL/Harman Kardon
Kyocera
Jackie Robinson Foundation
La Z Boy
Lee Jeans
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Mazda North America
Mercury Marine
Miller Lite
Minnesota Tourism
Nielsen-Massey
Life Technologies
Long John Silver's
Motiv Running
Nikon
Nordstrom
Plantspired
Purina
Qualcomm
Red Wing Shoes
The Salk Institute
San Diego Film Festival
San Juan Yachts
Siggi's
SKYY Vodka
Soil
Starbucks
Steamboat Food & Wine Festival
Taylor Guitars
Temecula Winegrowers Association
Timex
University of California San Diego
United Airlines
USA Network
United Way
Visit Carlsbad
EDUCATION
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
BS Design Communications
Minor in Swedish