Meet Adam Martin. Adam is a sports designer and creative director based out of Lexington. He has worked in both print and interactive mediums, currently focusing on providing visual design, creative content and brand strategy to clients in sports and entertainment through his company, T/A Martin Studio. Adam has had the pleasure of working with many high-profile athletic programs and sports properties such as the University of Kentucky, Atlanta Braves, Tennessee Titans, PGA, Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the NCAA. As an award-winning creative studio, Adam serves as a strategic brand consultancy, content resource and multidisciplinary design studio for a range of clients in sports, entertainment and adjacent industries.
Additonally, Adam a recognized speaker and/or moderator on the topic of sports branding, creativity, graphic design, freelancing and podcasting. Makers of Sport® is a podcast and social media brand founded by Martin that focuses on the intersection of sports and the creative business.
Q: How long have you lived/worked in Lexington?
A: I have been in the Lexington region (Mt. Sterling, Richmond, Lexington) my entire life: 37 years.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: I had always had a love for both sports and art. When I was in middle school, I discovered SLAM magazine and they did a feature on a sneaker designer. I knew at that point I wanted to be a designer. I ended up going to school at EKU and majoring in graphic design because it was the closest thing to industrial design (which you needed to be a product designer). In that major I learned to love designing logos, print and websites so pursued those kind of jobs after graduation.
I landed at a college sports marketing agency called Host Communications (now known as Learfield IMG College) and that opened up the world of sports marketing to me. Soon after I started my own studio and have been designing in sport in some fashion since.
Q: What would you like people to know about your job/business?
A: That is not all fun and games. You work hard when you’re in sports design. Social media never stops and teams or brands have serious FOMO and want to be involved in every pop culture moment. The content you design with (sports) is fun, but not every project is. For example, I have had to make 30 different JPEG sizes of an ad campaign for a pro sports baseball team. But the opportunities you can’t tie a monetary value to are the best.
Q: What are your favorite restaurants in Lexington and what do you order most?
A: I am a total foodie. I love to try new restaurants when they open. That said, Lexington is notorious for restaurants opening and closing so I’m going with a classic Lexington staple I know will be there, Ramsey’s. I get fried chicken, meatloaf or chicken livers depending on my mood.
Q: If you could travel to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
A: Switzerland or Japan. Both have incredible design culture.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Lexington?
A: The size and location. I love that it is an SEC town but also a city. I also love that it is within close proximity to other major U.S. cities for 5-6 hour drives if need be.
Q: Where do you take family or friends that visit from out of town?
A: Malone’s and/or Country Boy Brewing
Q: Have you picked up any new hobbies or skills during this time of social distancing? If so, what?
A: I’m still working fortunately but in my free time, I’m running my media brand @MakersofSport and building a replica Rupp Arena FOCO (LEGO knockoff) with 2300 pieces.
Q: If you could have lunch with any living person (non-relative), who would you choose and why?
A: Tinker Hatfield; he is a legendary footwear designer and designed some of the most famous Air Jordans. Also John C. Jay; former global creative director of Wieden + Kennedy (Nike’s ad agency) and current global creative director of UNIQLO.
Q: What could we find you doing on your day off?
A: Spending time with my wife and 3 kids, spectating or coaching at my oldest son’s sporting events, cooking/grilling, reading, hiking in Red River Gorge.
Q: What is something that is on your bucket list?
A: To attend or work a Super Bowl, NBA Finals or World Cup final (I’ve already attended a Final Four).
Q: What is something that most people may not know about you? Interesting hobbies, talents, etc…?
A: I’m a decent singer but extremely embarrassed to sing in public.
Q: What is a topic or subject that you wish you knew more about?
A: I really wish I knew more about coding and programming. I have tried to get into it year after year and I just cannot make myself enjoy it.
Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show & what are you currently binge watching?
A: Finished “Tiger King” along with everyone else and now have started “Designated Survivor”. Oh, and the whole family is watching “The Last Dance” on ESPN. I’m making them….history lesson.
Q: Which is more important to you, having a great car or a great house?
A: House. I’m not a car guy. Never was. Just don’t care much about them. I drive an old 2004 F-150 Lariat and have since I bought in 2005.
Q: If you were cast in a movie, who would you choose as your co-star?
A: Jon Favreau. He’s a great sidekick and also seems like an awesome dude.
Q: Who’s your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to and why?
A: I have a playlist on Spotify called Red Dirt Country. It’s authentic, modern country music mostly from Texas (hence the name) but also features Kentucky boys Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. It’s my default.
Q: If you could give advice to a random group of people, what would it be?
A: Don’t go throughout life with out starting that passion project you’ve been wanting to do. Just figure it out. Even if it’s not a full-time job or doesn’t make any money, it’s worth putting some time into. Strike while the motivation is hot.
