Independent Art & Creative Director
Based in Cologne /
Available Globally

Since

design has been my profession.
The Ruhr in my blood, Düsseldorf in my heart, Eau de Cologne in the air.

Approach

Good design is recognised by what it leaves out. What remains is what makes a brand unmistakable.

From this come imagery, brand identities and campaigns that are understood at first glance and endure for years.

For companies, institutions and agencies. Direct, with one standard:

Every detail is a decision.

Showreel 2026

Idea, Music Idea, Direction & Edit: Dennis Stobbe · AI generated.

Films

30 Flex

Idea, Music Idea, Direction & Edit: Dennis Stobbe

AI generated.

Operation Sisyphus

Idea, Music Idea, Direction & Edit: Dennis Stobbe

AI generated.

The Journey

Seven chapters.
One signature.

  1. 1996

    In the Beginning.

    Studies, Independent Art Director
    Media2, Dortmund

    First commissions of my own. The foundations everything still builds on: typography, layout, image. Craft before effect.

  2. 1999

    Trial by Fire.

    Art Director
    Publicis, Düsseldorf

    An international network. Well-known brands, tight deadlines, many pitches. Building ideas that survive every round of approval.

  3. 2001

    Standards.

    Art Director
    Ogilvy, Düsseldorf

    The house of David Ogilvy, part of WPP. Campaigns for brands such as Ford. And one line that stayed: “We sell – or else.”

  4. 2003

    Responsibility.

    Creative Director & Managing Partner
    RSWA, Düsseldorf

    Nine years responsible for creative work, team and clients. Ever since, an entrepreneur’s perspective has been part of every design decision.

  5. 2012–13

    The Other Side.

    Jury Member
    Best 18/1 Award 2012 and 2013

    Judging Germany’s best billboards. It sharpens the eye for what has to work in a single second.

  6. Since 2012

    Autonomy.

    Independent Art & Creative Director
    Based in Cologne

    Directly for companies and as a freelancer for agencies. Every result carries my name.

  7. Today

    Craftsmanship.

    AI Art Direction, Image, Film, Avatars

    A thousand variations. One decision. Generative AI, directed like a creative team. Fast, it is on its own. Good, only when a trained eye says no.

Diploma in Communication and Media Management (WAM)

Disciplines

From a complete brand presence
to a single design task
to an honest assessment.

The big picture

Art Direction

The eye that decides what belongs in the picture and what does not. A visual language people recognise.

Creative Direction

From idea to concept to finished campaign. One thought, carried consistently through every channel.

Brand Leadership

Identities and design systems that deliver in daily use what the first draft promised. From the mark to the presence in every channel.

Down to the detail

Design

The same care, even without the full mandate. By my own hand, down to the last detail.

AI

AI imagery and digital identities. From the design system to motion and avatars to large-scale LED installations. The same character, the same light, the same brand in every image. With rules others can keep working by. The tools change. The standard doesn’t.

In dialogue

Sparring

Sometimes what you need is not a project but a judgement. An independent outside eye on campaigns, identities and drafts, before they go out into the world.

Agencies

Commissioned by

A selection

Brands I have worked for.

A selection

How I Work

Experience

Creativity with
business sense.

The school of international networks and nine years as managing director of my own agency. Bringing both changes the way you think and design.

Direct

One mind.
No detours.

You talk to the person who designs. No briefing gets lost, no idea gets diluted along the way.

Tools

AI that looks
like your brand.

For companies that want to use AI without losing their face.

Working together

For one project
or for the long run.

As a creative director for a defined period, as a permanent authority for your brand, or as a sparring partner before the decision.

Contact

Let’s talk about your project.

Enquiry in four steps, about one minute

What’s your name?
What is it about?
How can I reach you?
A few words about the project? optional

I use your details only to reply to your enquiry. More in the privacy policy (German).

dennis@stobbe.cc +49 1525 4258167 LinkedIn XING Instagram Save contact