Jayson Atienza was born in Batangas, Philippines and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. He started drawing at age 5, first collaborating with his father, who was deaf and mute. Visual language became the most important way he communicated from an early age. He followed his passion and attended college at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, majoring in graphic design and advertising. While at SVA, Jayson developed his signature painting style, which involves a meticulous watercolor and ink approach.
After graduation, he pursued a career as a creative director in Advertising, alongside his visual art. He now focuses all of his time creating art throughout the world. Jayson has expanded the mediums with which he executes art on both traditional and non-traditional canvases for individual collectors, public institutions and corporations.
Jayson has created artwork for the new Jordan Flagship Store in Beijing. In Shanghai, Jayson created a 4-part permanent art installation for the façade of Nike’s new Kicks Lounge. He also created a mural for WeWork’s newest co-working office building, designed a limited edition yoga mat with Lululemon to celebrate their launch in China, and collaborated with Ray-Ban. Jayson has launched a leather handbag line with The DOT at the flagship store in Hong Kong, and was commissioned to create a mural to immortalize advertising legend David Ogilvy at the new Ogilvy Shanghai offices. His art continues to expand throughout Asia.
From 2012-2015, Jayson released 2 customized sneakers through BucketFeet that was being sold worldwide through 500 retailers in 25 countries including Nordstrom. He was also commissioned by Chevrolet to create a mural for a commercial that he is featured in alongside John Legend, toasting the release of the new 2014 Chevy Impala and John Legend’s “Made To Love” album track. Jayson was also featured in the MSN Re:Discover travel series in collaboration with Buick.
Jayson’s previous corporate art collaborations have also included customized work with the GAP, ESPN, NBA, Mini, Ray-Ban, Hennessy, Chivas, Marriott Bonvoy, Edition, Lululemon, Heineken, RELX, Duxiana, Red Bull, Givenchy, Havaianas, Ace Hotel, Details Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, JCPenney and more. His footwear was featured in Guy Ritchie’s film, “Rock-n-Rolla” worn by Jeremy Piven’s character, and celebrities sport his apparel including David LaChapelle, Tiger Woods, Nigel Sylvester, Trey Smith, Jevon Walker, Dante Basco, Benj Gershman and others.
Jayson has exhibited work in both solo and acclaimed group shows, including his representation of President Barack Obama at Manifest Hope (Washington, D.C., 2009), at Manifest Equality (Los Angeles, 2010) and at Re:Form School (New York City, 2010), all of which brought attention to important social issues in the United States. Jayson’s work has also been featured alongside notable artists including Jeff Koons, Donald Baechler, Roberto Dutesco, Ron English, Romero Britto, Peter Max, Shepard Fairey, Kehinde Wiley, Spencer Tunick, Yoko Ono, Michel Gondry, and David Choe among others.
Before moving to China to be a creative director on Nike at Wieden+Kennedy’s Shanghai office, Jayson spent a decade at BBDO NY, followed by 7 years as a freelance Creative Director/Art Director, working at other notable advertising agencies, all while continuing his artistic pursuits. Of his past advertising campaigns, he is most proud of his work for clients including Guinness, HBO, FedEx, Canon, Pepsi, and The Financial Times. His advertising talents have been recognized by every major awards show globally including The One Show, The Art Directors Club, D&AD, Cannes Lion, The Andy Awards, and The Clio Awards.
Advertising career highlights include winning the Cannes Lion Young Creative Competition, creating a music video for John Lennon’s 20th Anniversary Retrospective, which debuted at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and receiving the Art Directors Club Young Guns Award, which recognizes the world’s best creatives under the age of 30.