Chris Hayes

Chris Hayes is the Vice President of Product Design at Elephant, a creative company within the IPG network.1 He joined Elephant in February 2023, initially as Group Creative Director before being promoted to his current role.12

Professional Background

Chris has over 20 years of experience in delivering digital products and experiences at the intersection of design and technology.12 His career highlights include:

• Nike: Worked as Experience Design Director for NXT Digital Innovation from 2017 to 2021, focusing on innovative product and services for athletes.1
• Tonal: Served as Director of Product Design from 2021 to 2022, shaping product vision and leading software design initiatives.1
• R/GA: Spent five years as Creative Director, leading key business wins and office-defining products.2

Role at Elephant

As VP of Product Design at Elephant, Chris is responsible for:

• Leading the product design team, which includes visual and user experience designers.2
• Working with founding client Apple and various brands in the web3 and QSR spaces.2
• Spearheading Elephant's creative boot camp for BIPOC students, the Elephant XD Academy.2

Education and Philosophy

Chris holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and Industrial Design from the University of Michigan.1 He believes in the power of tight-knit teams built on trust and diversity to unlock exciting new solutions.1 His approach emphasizes human-centered design practices and fostering a culture of curiosity, empowerment, and design excellence.1