PEDRO SALDARRIAGA

What the hell does nikilado even mean? Well, my friends, it all starts in Medellin, Colombia. My grandfather's brother was a successful entrepreneur and his chauffeur was constantly polishing a Cadillac, making all the chrome as shiny as possible. He would say, “este carro esta nikilado” which by all means is a made-up word. He was trying to say the car looked like nickel, shiny and ready to show off. The term stuck and to this day, my family uses it to describe when something is awesome, cool, badass, and something you’re proud of.

Be it a new word or a new idea, there’s something special about conjuring up something brand new for the world to see. It’s a lot like what I do. New insights, new concepts, new ways to shift culture and business. New ways to connect with people. That’s also nikilado.

In the process, that word has taken on a new meaning for me. It means not phoning it in. It’s not looking at the glass half empty, it’s not bad mojo, it’s not fear, it’s not limitations, it’s not what’s been done, it’s not a deck full of jargon and slide after slide of fluff. Nikilado is a state of mind, a vibe where I’d like to think good ideas come from. When all is said and done the work should be nikilado, shiny and ready to show off proudly.

My name is Pedro, I’m an art director and creative director who finds ideas thrilling. The work you see here was made in collaboration with lots of talented humans with real intelligence. No use of AI here. If you need ideas no matter the shape or size let’s talk or if you need help catching wild trout on flies I can also help.

hello@nikilado.com

Resume

Madwell | Creative Director | 11/19-12/23
Clients: Denon, Visible, Hyland’s Naturals

Freelance | 02/17-11/19

Sukle | Associate Creative Director | 04/14-02/17
Clients: Denver Water, Great Outdoors Colorado

Freelance | 11/13-04/14

CP+B | Sr. Art Director | 10/12-11/13
Clients: Kraft, Fruit of the Loom, Applebee’s

Freelance | 11/11-10/12

Mondo Robot | Sr. Art Director | 03/11-9/11
Clients: Microsoft

Factory Design Labs | Art Director | 07/08-03/11
Clients: Audi, The North Face, Oakley, Revo, Killington

Awards

The One Club for Creativity Denver 2022 | Gold Integrated Brand Campaign
Obie Awards 2022 | Hall of Fame
Shorty Award 2021 | Bronze Integrated Campaign | Gold Honor Immersive
The Webby Awards 2021 | Honoree for Technical Achievement & Best Audience Integration
The One Club for Creativity Denver 2020 | Gold Craft & Art Direction | Silver Social Engagement & Stunt and Activation | Bronze Digital Experiential
The One Club for Creativity Denver 2017 | Gold Print 
Obie Awards 2016 | Best of Show 

Work Featured in

Communication Arts
Adweek
Fast Company
Lürzer's Archive
Little Black Book

Pedro Saldarriaga
hello@nikilado.com
720.226.8539
@p3drosaldarriaga