Brand & Product Design Lead who builds systems from 0-1 to scale.
Brand & Product Design Lead who builds systems from 0-1 to scale.
Brand & Product Design Lead who builds systems from 0-1 to scale.
Hey, I'm Nikolai Paquin, a brand and product design lead who spent a decade running an agency before going in-house.
I build brands, marketing systems, and creative workflows that help teams ship faster without compromising quality.
Currently at ClickHouse. Previously: Amazon, LinkedIn, Microsoft, AMC, and 300+ companies that needed someone who could design, strategize, and execute 0-1.
Hey, I'm Nikolai Paquin, a brand and product design lead who spent a decade running an agency before going in-house.
I build brands, marketing systems, and creative workflows that help teams ship faster without compromising quality.
Currently at ClickHouse. Previously: Amazon, LinkedIn, Microsoft, AMC, and 300+ companies that needed someone who could design, strategize, and execute 0-1.
Previous Clients & Partners:
Nikolai Paquin
Saratoga Springs, NY, U.S.A
IMPACT
IMPACT
Design & Career Stats
Design & Career Stats
$500M
+
Generated in tracked client revenue (Gross)
$500M
+
Generated in tracked client revenue (Gross)
$500M
+
Generated in tracked client revenue (Gross)
$850M+
Raised in series A-D funding for startups (4 rounds)
$850M+
Raised in series A-D funding for startups (4 rounds)
$850M+
Raised in series A-D funding for startups (4 rounds)
300
+
Clients worked with (CPG, Ecom, Tech, SaaS)
300
+
Clients worked with (CPG, Ecom, Tech, SaaS)
300
+
Clients worked with (CPG, Ecom, Tech, SaaS)
10 + Years
Of building brands and designing 0-1 systems
10 + Years
Of building brands and designing 0-1 systems
10 + Years
Of building brands and designing 0-1 systems
15+ Companies
Companies scaled from 0 to over $10M in ARR
15+ Companies
Companies scaled from 0 to over $10M in ARR
15+ Companies
Companies scaled from 0 to over $10M in ARR
7 Teams led
Across agency, ecom, Saas, and startups
7 Teams led
Across agency, ecom, Saas, and startups
7 Teams led
Across agency, ecom, Saas, and startups
10+ Years Of Experience
10+ Years Of Experience
Over the last decade, I took the non-traditional path—starting as a freelancer, building a full design agency by 2019, and working with companies across industries redefining how we live, work, and connect.
The roles below reflect long-term client relationships, contract work, and agency partnerships where I was embedded as a key team member. Many overlapped as fractional or project-based engagements.
In 2025 I closed my agency and became a full-time employee for the first time.
Over the last decade, I took the non-traditional path—starting as a freelancer, building a full design agency by 2019, and working with companies across industries redefining how we live, work, and connect.
The roles below reflect long-term client relationships, contract work, and agency partnerships where I was embedded as a key team member. Many overlapped as fractional or project-based engagements.
In 2025 I closed my agency and became a full-time employee for the first time.
ClickHouse
Senior Designer
ClickHouse
Senior Designer
2025-Present
Full-Time Role
2025-Present
Full-Time Role
ClickHouse
Senior Designer
2025-Present | Full-Time Role
Seven Barrels
Head Of Brand Marketing
2021-2025 | Contract Role
Seven Barrels
Head Of Brand Marketing
Seven Barrels
Head Of Brand Marketing
2021-2025
Contract Role
2021-2025
Contract Role
Linkedin
Multimedia Designer
Linkedin
Multimedia Designer
2021-2023 | Freelance
Linkedin
Multimedia Designer
2021-2023
Freelance
2021-2023
Freelance
Banza
Brand Designer
Banza
Brand Designer
2021-2023 | Freelance
Banza
Brand Designer
2021-2023
Freelance
2021-2023
Freelance
K
Kirgan Consulting
Art Director
Kirgan Consulting
Art Director
2020-2024 | Partnership
Kirgan Consulting
Art Director
2020-2024
Partnership
2020-2024
Partnership
Bartley & Dick
Senior Brand Designer
Bartley & Dick
Senior Brand Designer
2020-2023 | Partnership
Bartley & Dick
Senior Brand Designer
2020-2023
Partnership
2020-2023
Partnership
Microsoft
Brand Designer
Microsoft
Brand Designer
2020-2023 | Freelance
Microsoft
Brand Designer
2020-2023
Freelance
2020-2023
Freelance
AMC Networks
Marketing Designer
AMC Networks
Marketing Designer
2020-2023 | Freelance
AMC Networks
Marketing Designer
2020-2023
Freelance
2020-2023
Freelance
Amazon
Digital Designer
Amazon
Digital Designer
2020-2022 | Freelance
Amazon
Digital Designer
2020-2022
Freelance
2020-2022
Freelance
Subaru of America
Graphic Designer
Subaru of America
Graphic Designer
2019-2020 | Contract Role
Subaru of America
Graphic Designer
2019-2020
Contract Role
2019-2020
Contract Role
Nikolai Paquin Design Co.
Founder | CD
Nikolai Paquin Design Co.
Founder | CD
2015-2025 | Self-Employed
Nikolai Paquin Design Co.
Founder | CD
2015-2025
Self-Employed
2015-2025
Self-Employed
Design Leadership
Design Leadership
7 Teams Led
Across agency, ecom, Saas, and startups
7 Teams Led
Across agency, ecom, Saas, and startups
12+ Designers
Average remote team size led
12+ Designers
Average remote team size led
20+ hires
Designers & freelancers hired, 100s interviewed
20+ hires
Designers & freelancers hired, 100s interviewed
Empowerment Over Micromanagement
Empowerment Over Micromanagement
I build frameworks that enable teams to execute independently. Great leadership means creating systems so clear that your team doesn't need you to approve every decision—they need you to set the direction and get out of their way.
I build frameworks that enable teams to execute independently. Great leadership means creating systems so clear that your team doesn't need you to approve every decision—they need you to set the direction and get out of their way.
Speed as Strategy
Speed as Strategy
In fast-moving markets, perfect later loses to excellent now. I lead teams to ship quickly, learn faster, and iterate based on real results rather than endless internal debate.
In fast-moving markets, perfect later loses to excellent now. I lead teams to ship quickly, learn faster, and iterate based on real results rather than endless internal debate.
Lead with Metrics, Not Ego
Lead with Metrics, Not Ego
Every creative decision should tie to business outcomes. I teach teams to defend their work with conversion data, revenue impact, and customer behavior—not subjective taste or design awards.
Every creative decision should tie to business outcomes. I teach teams to defend their work with conversion data, revenue impact, and customer behavior—not subjective taste or design awards.
Technology Amplifies Talent
Technology Amplifies Talent
AI and automation aren't threats—they're force multipliers. I build workflows that let designers focus on strategy and craft while technology handles repetition and variation at scale.
AI and automation aren't threats—they're force multipliers. I build workflows that let designers focus on strategy and craft while technology handles repetition and variation at scale.
Cross-Functional by Default
Cross-Functional by Default
Design doesn't exist in a vacuum. I lead by breaking down silos between creative, marketing, product, and ops—ensuring every stakeholder understands how design decisions drive their goals.
Design doesn't exist in a vacuum. I lead by breaking down silos between creative, marketing, product, and ops—ensuring every stakeholder understands how design decisions drive their goals.
Empathy First
Empathy First
Understanding comes before action. I lead by seeking to understand each team member's perspective, working style, and cultural context before setting expectations. Empathy builds trust, trust enables honest feedback, and honest feedback drives accountability.
Understanding comes before action. I lead by seeking to understand each team member's perspective, working style, and cultural context before setting expectations. Empathy builds trust, trust enables honest feedback, and honest feedback drives accountability.
My Design Philosophy
My Design Philosophy
Business-First Design
Business-First Design
Design is a business accelerator, not decoration. Every visual decision I make drives real results—converting browsers into buyers and scaling businesses from startup to eight figures.
Design is a business accelerator, not decoration. Every visual decision I make drives real results—converting browsers into buyers and scaling businesses from startup to eight figures.
Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking
I approach every project as a complete brand ecosystem. A brand needs to work across packaging, websites, social media, and every touchpoint where customers encounter it.
I approach every project as a complete brand ecosystem. A brand needs to work across packaging, websites, social media, and every touchpoint where customers encounter it.
Strategic AI Integration
Strategic AI Integration
I leverage artificial intelligence to amplify human creativity, developing workflows that deliver both speed and sophistication while maintaining the strategic thinking that drives business growth.
I leverage artificial intelligence to amplify human creativity, developing workflows that deliver both speed and sophistication while maintaining the strategic thinking that drives business growth.
Tools & Stacks
Tools & Stacks
AI Tools
AI Tools
Claude AI
Copywriting + planning
ChatGPT
Image + content
Google Gemini
Image + video gen
Perplexity
Research
Runway ML
Video gen
Topaz Labs
AI upscaler
Magnific
AI upscaler
Google VEO
Video generation
Midjourney
Image + video gen
Weavy AI
AI Automation
ElevenLabs
AI audio gen
Suno
AI music gen
Design
Design
Figma
Product + Brand
Adobe illustrator
Vector + events
Adobe Photoshop
Photo retouching
Adobe InDesign
Print design
Canva
Brand templates
Procreate
Illustrations
Web Design
Web Design
Framer
Marketing sites
Webflow
Complex sites
Shopify
E-commerce sites
Motion Design & Video Editing
Motion Design & Video Editing
After Effects
Motion graphics
Premiere Pro
Video Editing
Final Cut Pro
Youtube Videos
CapCut
Social media videos
Descript
AI video editing
Spline
3D + Interactive
Presentation Design
Presentation Design
Google Slides
Sales presentations
Powerpoint
Enterprise decks
Keynote
Internal pitches
Figma Slides
Personal favorite
Project Management| Asset Management
Project Management| Asset Management
Notion
Project management
ClickUp
Project management
Linear
Project Management
Dropbox
Asset Management
Google Drive
Asset Management
Brandfolder
Asset management
GitHub
Developer management
Marketing Automation | Email Marketing | Social Media Ads
Marketing Automation | Email Marketing | Social Media Ads
Klaviyo
Email & SMS
Mailchimp
SMB email marketing
Yotpo
Ecom email & SMS
Google Ads
PPC ads
Meta Ads Manager
Social ads PPC
Google Analytics
Search ads + traffic
Linkedin Ads
B2B ads PPC
TikTok Ads
B2C ads PPC
Nikolai Paquin
Saratoga Springs, NY, U.S.A
Nikolai Paquin
Saratoga Springs, NY, U.S.A
Copyright © 2020 – 2026 All Right Reserved
Copyright © 2020 – 2026 All Right Reserved
Copyright © 2020 – 2026 All Right Reserved