Ian Johnston

Background

About Ian Johnston

The son of an Architect, and grandson of a Hudson’s Bay Fur trader, it was probably inevitable that Ian would combine his passion for design and retail to create a world-leading retail experience consultancy. In 2007 Ian founded retail experience consultancy Quinine, with a mission to help brands create world-class social, cultural and commercial experiences that would enrich and delight their customers' everyday lives. Using a pioneering design research methodology, developed during his time as an associate at the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, Ian concentrates on uncovering the unknown insights that brands need to know, but nobody’s telling them. His devotion to the ‘power of design’ as a strategic business tool to drive innovation and growth is underpinned by his expertise in understanding customer and staff behaviours, and his ability to interpret and translate human insights into tangible experiences that work for the business, the brand, their customers and their staff. A strong strategic thinker and published thought leader, Ian focuses on maximizing the client’s investment and increasing financial performance by delivering impactful and meaningful branded experiences that differentiate a brand and create long-lasting customer value. As Founder and Creative Director of Quinine, Ian is actively involved in all aspects of the creative process and ensures the successful interpretation of briefs and their transition from concept to reality. From their offices in London and Vancouver, he leads a team of product designers, architects, digital, graphic and interior designers and business creatives working with international, market-leading technology, media and telecommunication brands and retailers, including; BT, EE, T-Mobile, LG Electronics and Sony in the UK, Comcast and Xfinity in the US and Rogers Communications, Fido Solutions and Chatr in Canada, for whom Quinine develops future visions and branded experiences across all touchpoints. A frequent public speaker and contributor within the retail design industry, Ian is an active member of the DBA and has a strong commitment to the future of design education, appointed as course director to the MA in product design at Madrid’s Institute of Design, he also advises academic institutions on course structure and content and has acted as an external examiner at the University of the Creative Arts and is also a visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Arts.