James RhodesPortfolio ©2026
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James Rhodes
(A)About

AI-native. Design-led. I direct digital products from first idea to launch — and beyond.

AI Design Engineer & Product Director in Toronto. 13+ years leading design — from adidas and Roots to founding Embark Studio™, an AI-native studio partnering with startups.

Vetted & certified

Top 3%

Toptal network

Top 5%

Contra

Expert

Framer certified

Expert

Webflow certified

13+
Years in design
2018
Founded Embark
2×4
Design teams led
Parabolic — brand identity

Based in Toronto. Building with brands and startups everywhere.

Parabolic — brand identity
(B)Story

I'm an AI design engineer and product director based in Toronto. My career started in retail and campaign creative at adidas Canada, where I grew from senior graphic designer to leading the creative services team behind programs like the NBA.

At Roots I led a team of four designers across web, e-commerce, email and campaign creative. In 2018 I founded Embark Studio™ — a premium design practice where I hire and direct world-class contractors to produce work for leading brands and startups.

Today Embark is an AI-native studio, and I work as a founder-partner to startups — from OpenReel through its acquisition by Parabolic (formerly Bonsai), to early-stage teams getting their first product off the ground. I'm in the Toptal network (top 3%), Contra's top 5%, and a certified Framer and Webflow expert.

(C)Principles

01

Taste is a strategy

Premium isn't decoration. It's the fastest signal of trust a brand can send.

02

Motion is meaning

Every transition should explain something — hierarchy, cause, delight.

03

AI-supported, human-directed

AI speeds up the making. Taste, judgement and the final call stay with me.

04

Lead from the work

I still design every day. The best direction comes from the desk, not the deck.

(D)Work history

13+ years,
one direction.

Year

2013

01

Apr 2013 — May 2014

adidas

Senior Graphic Designer

Designed marketing campaigns and in-store retail creative across adidas Canada — print, POS and digital — developing Canadian-market creative.

Campaign creativeRetail & POS
Apr 2013
02

May 2014 — Apr 2017

adidas

Creative Services Manager — Digital Art Director

Directed creative across adidas Canada's retail, digital and campaign initiatives, including high-profile programs like the NBA.

Team of 4 designersNBA programsRetail + digital
May 2014
Ro03

Nov 2017 — Dec 2019

Roots

Sr. Manager, Web Design & E-Commerce

Led a team of four designers to elevate Roots' digital presence across web, email and campaign creative, directing end-to-end design for seasonal launches.

Team of 4 designersE-commerce designSeasonal campaigns
Nov 2017
Em04 · Now

Jul 2018 — Present

Embark Studio™

Founder — AI-native design & product studio

Built Embark from the ground up into an AI-native design and technology studio. Today I partner with startups as a founder — directing product, brand and web so they take off.

FounderBrand developmentCreative direction

Now — partnering with

OpenReelParabolicNeptuneDemeoDealer ReserveHER StudiosCapital Lynk

Founder-partner to startups — directing product, brand and web so they take off.

Jul 2018