Work Experience

Mythic Proportions - Cofounder, Creative Director & Strategist. New York City. March 2020–Present.

  • In a world of constant change, we believe finding your north star won’t just help you identify how & where you fit into the world, it is the only way to navigate it. We work with C-Suite and senior leaders to help brands put purpose at the center of what they do in order to connect dots to tell emotionally-driven stories that become colossal in scale. Clients include: Publicis Group, Nike, Converse, CCS, Gingko Press, East of West Vineyards, All’s Well Initiative, & Druthers NYC.

MullenLowe - Vice President, Design Director. New York City. March 2018–March 2020.

  • Brand design lead (team of 4 designers and a dozen creative teams of art directors and copywriters) in a cross-functional role, partnering with strategy directors and advertising creative directors across multiple accounts in the NYC office. Clients include: Schick, Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, OB, Carefree, E*Trade, Banner Health, & Vitamin Shoppe.

Adnauseum - Owner, Creative Director. New York City. July 2016–March 2018.

  • Consultant partnering with clients of all types working on all things brand. Select clients include: Puma, Mercatus Center at George Mason University, & Sheridan Brewing Co.

Solidarity of Unbridled Labour - Consultant - Creative Direction & Design. Burlington Vermont (Remote). September 2016 -January 2017.

  • Strategy, creative direction & design, launching Black Diamond Climbing Equipment into a new category of technical climbing shoe.

Converse. Boston. June 2014 - July 2016.

Associate Creative Director - Global Brand Design - All Product Segments. November 2015 - July 2016.
Associate Creative Director - Global Brand Design - Cons Segment (Skateboarding). June 2014 - November 2015.

  • Over $2B in annual sales.

  • Report to VP Global Creative Director of Brand. Cross-functional role with: Heads of Product Marketing, Retail Marketing & Brand Comms.

  • Lead the global design team responsible for concept and development of all seasonal brand creative stories across all product categories in social, retail and paid media.

  • Completed Nike Management training programs: Coaching Plus, Manager Plus and Mandel’s Think & Speak for Results™ (public speaking).

  • Mass Appeal - Associate Creative Director. New York City. November 2013 - May 2014.

  • Est 1996, relaunched in 2013, MA is the premier pop culture content brand, focusing on contemporary youth lifestyle, art, fashion & music.

Adnauseum - Owner, Creative Director. New York City. May 2010–May 2014.

  • Select clients: Nike, Puma, Under Armour, Ecko, R/GA (Nike Basketball), The New York Times, Obey Clothing, ESPN, Complex Magazine, Oxford

  • University Press, Northwestern University Press, KelSo Beer, Loser Machine Clothing Co. and Arnette Sunglasses.

  • Zoo York Skateboards. New York City. October 2004–May 2010.

  • Sr Art Director - Apparel Line. May 2009–May 2010.

  • Art Director - Apparel Line. October 2006–May 2009.

  • Sr Graphic Designer - Brand Design. October 2004–May 2006.

  • Responsible for the team of 6 graphic designers and dozens of freelancers for all product printables, soft goods and hard goods.

  • During my time at Zoo York annual revenue grew by over 500%.

SME Branding - Graphic Designer. September 2002–August 2003.

  • Branding and identity development for professional and collegiate sport franchises. FIFA World Cup Germany 2006, NY Rangers, NHL, Penn Athletics, Dartmouth Athletics and more.

Zona Design - Graphic Designer. New York City. May 2002–September 2002.

  • Branding and identity development for cable television networks and programs. Discovery Channel, History Channel and more.

Notable Projects

Parsons School of Design - Adjunct Professor. New York City. Summer 2002, Fall 2003, Fall 2004, Fall 2010.

  • Taught a variety of studio design classes in the BFA and AAS programs.

Handselecta - Owner, Principal. New York City. May 2003–Present.

  • Font foundry and preservation project. Working with 100+ artists in dozens of cities in the United States and around the globe.

  • Author of Flip The Script (Gingko Press) 5 editions printed in 10 years. Over 20,000 copies in print.

  • Lectured at: Stanford University, Parsons School of Design, NYC Type Directors Club, School of Visual Arts and more.

Honors & Awards

OMMA Winner: Retail. 2017

  • Pumalab / Footlocker Detroit. Project in collaboration with agency, 1,000 Heads.

National Public Radio. Guest. Appeared on Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. March 2014.

International Arts Movement. Speaker. October 2013.

  • Inhabit Conference NYC 2013: Christian Acker on the Validity of Vandalism.

New York Times Book Review. Flip The Script by Christian P Acker. April 7, 2013.

  • “Graffiti is now so closely linked to branding products that it’s lost its edge, but Flip the Script by Christian Acker is an admirably researched oral history and tribute to it rebellious roots.” –Steven Heller, New York Times Book Review.

Education

Parsons School of Design. New York City. 2002.

  • BFA with Honors, Communication Design.

Resume