The Ballad of Rob Norman: A Creative's Evolution

It started first with taking art classes at Pratt, as a child, with his father spending weekends sketching and developing his talent. Those early days laid the foundation for a lifelong creative journey. By high school, Rob Norman was honing his craft at the High School of Art & Design, specializing in advertising design. His next stop? The Fashion Institute of Technology, where he earned his BFA in Graphic Design, setting the stage for a career that would take him across industries, from music to fashion to sports and beyond.

Rob stepped into the industry contracting design work for labels like Sony and iconic groups like The Fugees, testing his creative abilities. But music was just the beginning. He soon transitioned into advertising, joining Grey Advertising, where he developed marketing campaigns for ABC Television and Nickelodeon—creating everything from concepts to print and outdoor advertising.

His career took another turn when he began working for a print company, designing in-store signage for Barnes & Noble and Foot Locker. But during this time an interest in fashion began to grow within him. If he wanted to take it seriously, he knew he needed firsthand industry experience. Thanks to a few college connections, he landed freelance gigs with major brands like Perry Ellis, Phat Farm, and Avirex, gaining valuable insight into apparel design. That freelance work led to a full-time position at G-III Apparel, one of the largest apparel licensing companies, where he further sharpened his skills.

Then came an unexpected opportunity—Rob took a brief detour from fashion to become an Art Director at Madison Square Garden, contributing to the creative team that developed graphics for the Knicks, Liberty, Rangers, and Radio City Music Hall. His work spanned in-arena visuals, outdoor campaigns, and marketing materials for upcoming shows and new sports seasons.

After two years, he returned to fashion, joining Fishman & Tobin (now Centric Brands), where he designed graphics and product for brands like Nautica, Izod and Sean John. But Rob had bigger ideas. He pitched the concept of a new in-house streetwear brand, which the company’s owners loved. They backed him with a half-million-dollar deal, and Propaganda was born. As designer, graphic artist, and brand manager, Rob led the brand’s direction, pushing it into the growing streetwear market.

After a two-year run, he would leave Fishman & Tobin for another clothing company, signing a new deal to launch Prophet, a streetwear line that debuted to critical acclaim. But just as the brand was gaining momentum, the economic crash hit. The parent company was forced to shelve Prophet, and while Rob was no longer working on his own brand, he remained with the company, pivoting into private label development for Walmart, JCPenney, and Kohl’s, creating new product lines for major retailers.

By 2013, it was time for his biggest play yet—his own brand, built from the ground up. With the backing of one of the company’s owners—who owned a manufacturing plant in China—Rob launched Planet Brooklyn Academy. More than just a clothing line, it was a brand created to become the ambassador of Brooklyn, celebrating the borough’s culture and history. He crafted the concept, built a loyal community, and took on multiple roles, from creative director to designer to strategist. The brand gained momentum, opening its first store in Brooklyn and collaborating with various entertainers, the Brooklyn Nets, and other local institutions. In 2017, it was voted Best Brooklyn Indie Brand—a testament to the impact Rob had built over the years.

But Rob never stopped evolving. Before starting his brand, he began teaching one class at The Fashion Institute of Technology. One class eventually grew into two, and then more. Thirteen years in, he has taught product development through FIT in places like China and Italy. He would go on to write a groundbreaking course, "The Business of Building a Fashion Brand"—a one-of-a-kind class that no other university in the nation offers. The course was inspired by the YouTube series he created, Making the Brand, which breaks down the business of fashion and gives aspiring entrepreneurs the tools to build something of their own. He would also go on to write a book by the same name.

Across his career, Rob’s creative expertise has extended far beyond fashion. He’s worked with brands across industries, including Asics, Avon, and DC Comics, as well as developing projects for various NBA and NFL players. Whether crafting campaigns, designing apparel, or shaping visual identities, his adaptability has kept him in demand across multiple creative fields.

From a kid in Saturday art classes to a designer, entrepreneur, educator, and brand builder—Rob’s journey is one of constant reinvention. And he’s just getting started.

-Rob Norman