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Nicholas Hixon

Senior Creative Director

Phone:

470.783.4489

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Linkedin

ADELINE 

A Story of Curiosity and Design

With over 16 years in environmental design, my creative journey has been anything but linear—it’s been a fearless pursuit of the unexpected. I began in interior design and architecture, but it didn’t take long to realize I craved a bigger, bolder canvas—one that allowed me to blur boundaries and chase ideas that defy convention. That hunger for discovery has led me across industries, from high fashion and culinary art to immersive events and experiential marketing. I live for that electric spark that happens when bold ideas collide, and my creative mantra has always been: “Why not?”

 

Collaboration is my fuel—it’s where the magic begins. I believe the best ideas are born from audacious questions, fresh perspectives, and a willingness to reimagine the familiar. My love for design doesn’t stop at spatial environments; it extends into the world of high-fashion footwear, where I’ve been immersed for over a decade. In 2024, I launched my brand, ADELINE, after winning an international design competition and earning an Honorable Mention at the Global Footwear Awards. That milestone opened the door to a bespoke shoemaking masterclass led by some of the industry’s most iconic visionaries, solidifying my passion for crafting designs that are as emotional and personal as they are avant-garde.

 

Now, as a Creative Director at Freeman & Sparks, I approach every project with a blend of curiosity, intention, and unrelenting imagination. I design for connection, emotion, and impact—whether it’s a high-stakes corporate experience or a couture-level shoe silhouette. The journey is ever-evolving, and I’m just getting started.

Work Experience

2022 - Today

2019 - 2022

2017 - 2019

2015 - 2017

Creative Director - Freeman & Sparks

Since Freeman’s acquisition of Sparks, I’ve continued to lead with imagination at the helm—guiding experience-led creative as a Creative Director. Recent highlights include shaping the 2025 Knowledge event for ServiceNow and curating Splunk’s .conf for a third consecutive year. I’ve had the creative honor of partnering with visionary brands like Adobe, Microsoft, Workday, and ServiceNow, transforming abstract ideas into immersive environments that move people. From story-driven keynote reveals to spaces that flow with intention, every touchpoint I design is built to stir emotion, spark curiosity, and deepen connection. For me, the magic happens where concept becomes experience—and where that experience lingers long after the moment ends.

Creative Director - Hartmann Studios

With a passion for storytelling through space, I’ve led creative direction for global brands like Apple, Oracle, CrowdStrike, Twilio, and Google—transforming ideas into immersive experiences across live, virtual, and hybrid platforms. From concept to execution, I craft environments that evoke emotion, spark engagement, and leave a lasting impression. One of my proudest moments was helming a three-day flagship event that won eight industry awards, including a Bronze Stevie, proving that when creativity meets strategy, unforgettable things happen.

Environmental Designer - Hartmann Studios

I’ve brought immersive environments to life for brands like Oracle, Apple, the Golden State Warriors, LinkedIn, The Home Depot, Cisco, and IBM—crafting spatial strategies and detailed 3D renderings that move far beyond the expected. From bespoke F&B moments to ambient storytelling and entertainment, I design every detail to guide guests through a cohesive, emotionally rich journey. With an eye for strategic flow and elevated aesthetics, I transform space into story—leaving lasting impressions long after the lights go down.

Experience Designer - GMR Marketing

As a 3D experience designer for an international marketing agency, I crafted immersive environments across music, sports, lifestyle, and entertainment for global brands like Xfinity, Comcast, NFL, Cisco, Lowe’s, VISA (Super Bowl 50 & 51), Martini Rossi, Johnsonville, Chevrolet, Chobani, Angostura, Bacardi, and Old Spice. From custom activations at concerts and food festivals to touring brand experiences and sporting events, each design fused storytelling with spectacle. A standout moment: designing 96 bespoke hospitality suites inside Maracanã Stadium for the 2016 Rio Olympics—where global prestige met personalized experience on the world stage.

Awards & Accolades

2024

2020

2019

2017

Global Footwear Awards Honorable Mention

Role: Shoe Designer | ADELINE 

Account Team of the Year

Role: Creative Director | Freeman 

Global Shoe Design Contest Winner

Role: Shoe Designer | ADELINE 

Bronze Stevie Award 

Role: Creative Director | Hartmann Studios 

BizBash Best Event Style 

Role: Creative Director | Hartmann Studios 

BizBash People’s Choice

Role: Creative Director | Hartmann Studios 

Expertise Award 

Role: Environmental Designer | Hartmann Studios

Experience Design & Technology Award 

Role: Experience Designer | GMR Marketing 

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