Meet James Sommerville: SIGD Advisory Council Member

Sommerville knows that you’re never too early to make an impact. In fact, it was at the age of 19 that he, along with his partner Simon Needham, started an entrepreneurial journey through a financial grant from Prince Charles’ youth charity known as The Prince’s Trust. Sommerville hasn’t forgotten the Trust, still actively contributing to its mission of assisting the next generation of young entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom and taking part in the launch of the charity here in the United States. His fervent commitment to The Prince’s Trust resulted in him being referred to as “The Virtuous Circle” by HM King Charles III. Advisor to the Trust’s board, Sommerville was part of a brand Executive Team that advised his Royal Highness to rebrand the charity to its present name: The King’s Trust.

Sommerville also served as co-founder from 1986 to 2013 of ATTIK, a company focused on brand strategy, visual design and disruptive marketing, and would later serve as Global Design Vice President for the Coca-Cola Company from 2013 to 2018. Today sees Sommerville in the role of Founder of KnownUnknown, a talent platform that identifies top talent and, utilizing artificial intelligence, fosters search, talent vetting and brand collaboration. Sommerville has spearheaded brand work with companies such as Google, Kellogg’s and Ford.

As a member of the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) Advisory Council, he says his primary goal is to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application. He wants to focus this goal for the areas of brand/graphic design and marketing strategy, growth by design and entrepreneurial skills.

“I would aim to infuse industry insights and practical knowledge into the curriculum to benefit students,” he shared. “My focus will be on nurturing creativity, fostering innovative thinking and change and preparing students for the dynamic demands of the global design landscape. I envision the new council as a platform for collaboration, where industry trends, technological advancements, cross collaborations and creative methodologies are discussed by the wider group of alumni and integrated into educational practices. By doing so, I feel we can ensure that students are not only adept at theoretical knowledge but are also equipped with the skills and mindset needed to excel in their professional lives.”

He also sees partnership possibilities between the university and leading industry players and the global creative community he is building.

“These connections can provide students with valuable exposure, internship opportunities and real-world project experiences, significantly enhancing their learning journey and employability,” he said.

Sommerville was impressed by Auburn from his very first visit to campus and is energized to be a key contributor to the school’s unlimited potential.

“The vibrancy and enthusiasm for design and architecture among the students and faculty left a lasting impression on me,” Sommerville stated. “Their passion for innovation, the energy of next generation ‘rock stars’ and leaders, coupled with a genuine commitment to excellence, resonates deeply with my professional ethos.”