Meet Jad Chidiac, Art Director at TBWA\RAAD
Jad is an award-winning Art Director with a Master’s degree in Visual Arts and Com- munication from The Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Lebanon. Jad discovered his passion for design and storytelling at the age of 13, after learning Photoshop for fun and creating digital art and short movies. He began his career in advertising in 2016 as Art Director at Impact BBDO Beirut. Fascinated by the disruption culture of TBWA, Jad moved to TBWA\RAAD in 2019, where he is currently working on local and regional accounts.
He calls himself a ‘typophile’ because of his love for typography, which he expresses by creating typographic art on Instagram.
Why did you join this industry?
It’s a combination of two reasons: my love for design and storytelling, and the fact that it’s a future-proof industry.
How did you land your first job?
I got a call from Georges Kyrillos [Creative Director at TBWA\RAAD].
Who do you look up to?
It’s a mix. I believe that you can learn something from every person who crosses your path.
What’s the best advice you have received so far?
It depends on the context. I was fortunate enough to work with great people who gave me some great advice along the way. But one particular advice that stuck with me is, “Keep failure as an option or you’ll be stuck with safe options.”
What’s the best advice you have given so far?
Only take advice from someone you’re willing to trade places with.
How do you feel about the stigma sometimes associated with Millennials and GenZ?
Every generation is stigmatized and misunder- stood by the older/younger generations. Eventually, industries are the ones that will adapt and not the opposite – the same way that ‘admen’ stopped having to wear suits.
What do you think you specifically bring to the organization you work for?
New blood.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at work?
To be consistent. Not just at work, but in everything you do.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?
The reward of a thing well done is having done it.
What’s the most frustrating thing about your job? When good ideas don’t make it.
When good ideas don’t make it.
If not this, what would you be doing?
I guess something related to this.
Would you start your own venture in the future?
All options are on the table. Maybe I’ll have the answer for [Communicate’s] 40 under 40 [list].
