About

Pol Klein, smiling, in a black polo shirt at an outdoor café

I’m Pol Klein, a creative director. For more than 15 years I’ve led brand and creative for global organizations, from a 55-country rebrand to the systems their teams use every day.

What I believe

Clarity beats cleverness.
If people don’t get it in a second, the idea hasn’t landed yet. I keep cutting until it does.
Systems beat heroics.
A brand works when teams can use it, not only when a designer is in the room. I’ve watched beautiful guidelines sit unopened while a regional office rebuilt the logo in PowerPoint — and the office isn’t to blame for that. The system has to work where they work.
People first.
Brands move people, and people build brands. I pay attention to both.

How I work

I lead brand, design and strategy, and can bring in trusted specialists when a project calls for it. I’m used to leading lean in-house teams, freelancers and agencies. A graduate of PSI’s Great Managers Program, I give teams clear goals and mentor them to success.

Where I’ve led brand and creative

Before creative, I worked in engineering and international business, writing software, running worldwide marketing for a telecom company, advising governments and businesses on trade. I came to brand and creative from there, and it set the bar I still hold: design judged by its impact, and creative led with the same rigor as the rest of the business.

SHINE StudioFounder and creative director
HIASSenior Director, Creative
International Rescue CommitteeAssociate Director, Design and UX
Population Services InternationalHead of Design
PalladiumCreative Director

Creative leadership with an architect’s craft.

I’m a creative leader with business and engineering acumen from earlier careers. My focus is brand marketing that breaks through, and execution that works in real organizations.