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Layne Braunstein
Leader, Creative, Experience Design
Layne Braunstein
Leader, Creative, Experience Design
As a Leader, Creative, at NBBJ’s New York experience design studio, ESI Design, Layne works with the studio’s creative leaders to set the conceptual vision and tone of projects. He helps guide design teams in developing creative—from business development to strategy through production and beyond—to ensure projects are future-forward and culturally transformative. A member of the core team that runs day-to-day operations of the NBBJ studio, he is responsible for leading the studio’s creative strategy and ensuring design excellence.
Layne joined NBBJ in 2020 through its acquisition of ESI Design, where he previously held the title of Senior Vice President, Creative. Layne is a 7x Cannes Lions-winning & 2x Clio-winning creative, known for his focus on experiential design and immersive brand worlds.
In his 25+ year career, he has led innovative experiential projects for clients including Google, Twitter, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung, Virgin, Lexus, BMW, Star Wars, Coke, Hermès, Marc Jacobs, Cartier, and Nike. Previously, Layne was the Founder and CCO at Fake Love, the internationally award-winning experiential agency. After six years, he sold to The New York Times, partnering with a 165+ year-old company to re-imagine who they could be, from integrated experiential to acclaimed launches with NYTVR and NYTAR. He has spoken about innovation design at places like the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, TEDx, Adobe 99U, Future of Storytelling, Collision, Design Matters, M.I.T. and Columbia University.
He has been featured in publications including Wired, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Communication Arts, IdN and Adweek. He is a fan of sci-fi/fantasy and will absorb anything in that genre. He is also into indie gaming, avant-garde art and theater, and a good brunch. He currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife, son and two dogs.