TEAM | the Brand Navigator

S C O T T C U R T I S
Principal & Creative Director

Scott was the kind of student teachers always remembered—the one in the back of the classroom constantly sketching (and occasionally testing their patience). From an early age, he was driven by one goal: to accurately bring to paper the ideas he saw in his mind. By age 15, he had achieved that goal and was already well known in his hometown for his illustration talent.

That passion for art naturally evolved into graphic design. At just 16, Scott began his career as an apprentice designer and paste-up/layout artist for his hometown newspaper. There, he gained hands-on experience with traditional design and production methods, working with X-Acto knives, wax machines, and PMT cameras—while sacrificing more than a few T-shirts along the way. After serving a two-year mission for his church, Scott returned with a renewed focus on design and earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Arizona State University, where he graduated as the Outstanding Senior in Design.

Between his junior and senior years at ASU, Scott secured an internship with the renowned design firm Landor Associates in San Francisco, working in their corporate identity studio. Following graduation, he was offered a full-time role and had the opportunity to work under respected industry leaders including Margaret Youngblood, Linden Leader, Courtney Reeser, Bill Chiaravalle, and others. During his time there, Scott contributed to projects for Fortune 500 clients such as FedEx, Microsoft, Frito-Lay, Weyerhaeuser, Warner Bros., Gatorade, and many more. He worked in both the San Francisco and Seattle studios.

Scott and his wife, both Arizona natives, eventually returned home to Arizona, where he joined Esser Design as a Senior Designer. There, he worked with clients including PING, FFCA, Thunderbird School of Global Management, and numerous local and national organizations. In the spring of 2000, Scott founded The Brand Navigator, where his expertise has since benefited clients across the region and throughout the country.

Scott is a multidisciplinary designer with experience spanning all areas of design. In addition to leading The Brand Navigator, he has served as Senior Creative Director at the ASU Foundation for a New American University, where he played a key role in implementing the New American University brand. This multi-year initiative included rolling out the brand across the university system, developing brand standards, and overseeing integration across colleges, departments, and affiliated organizations. As a result of his ongoing relationship with ASU, Scott continues to serve as an instructor within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Today, Scott continues to work with organizations of every size—from comprehensive brand programs to focused logo and identity projects. Helping clients harness the power of strategic branding to shape perception, build loyalty, and drive growth remains one of his greatest professional rewards. Supporting small and mid-sized businesses through sound strategy and award-winning design is work that never gets old.

If you are ready to expand your brand reach, better connect with your customers, and strengthen your bottom line, we would welcome the opportunity to help.

Award-winning design is our product. Results are the impact we create for your business.