Artist Spotlight: Brad Sisson

After spending many years with the King himself, Brad Sisson takes on another but familiar journey: helping to revamp the visual game of a staple name in the NASCAR Cup Series.

1️⃣ How did you get your start designing?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn (pun intended) to creating art. Sketching was fun and things like symmetry, perspective, and balance came naturally. My interest in design began when I first found Chip Foose on the Discovery Channel in the early 2000s. Watching how he dreamed up hot rods on paper and then turned those renderings to reality blew my mind. I was hooked and had to learn how to do it myself.

By the time I was in college at Virginia Tech, my skills rendering custom vehicles with pen and marker were really starting to take shape. Engineering school didn’t work out and the Industrial Design program rejected me, so I took matters into my own hands. My dad, a lifelong Richard Petty fan, suggested we show up to Petty’s Garage with my portfolio and offer up design services. I designed cars for Petty’s Garage for free in between homework and studying for finals all through 2015 and 2016. After graduating, Petty’s Garage brought me on board full-time as a designer and social media manager in 2017.

2️⃣ Where do you turn for inspiration?

I don’t know if it’s the healthiest method, but most often I find work that inspires me while scrolling social media. Instagram is good, but don’t sleep on Pinterest! There are so many talented artists and designers out there sharing their work and I love seeing what everyone is creating.  

Inspiration changes depending on the type of project. Some of the best inspiration for social media graphics can be found in collegiate sports. There are several programs currently putting on a brand-building clinic. If I’m sketching hot rods or custom street vehicles, events like the SEMA Show display the most innovative builds in the industry. In the NASCAR paint scheme world, I try to take note of why designs from the late 1990s and early 2000s became so iconic. 

3️⃣ What project of yours are you most proud of and why?

The next one. Hopefully as my skills evolve and improve each will be just a touch better than the last; however, I’d love to share a standout or two from each phase of my career.

While working for Petty’s Garage in 2017, I presented a proposal for a true sheet metal widebody build of the upcoming 2018 Mustang to Ford. We received a pre-production car and displayed the finished build at the 2017 SEMA Show.

The 2021 Darlington Throwback program we put together at Richard Petty Motorsports honoring John Andretti was a big one. My dad and I attended the Martinsville race in 1999 that John won, so it was super special to pay tribute to him and his winning STP scheme. 

Unrelated to design, I’m very proud of the short-lived Richard Petty Motorsports Podcast. We had some stellar guests and a great format. Given enough time, I still believe that could have been a game changer for the team and its media presence.

Lastly, I’m very proud of the graphic look and feel developed at Stewart-Haas Racing in its final chapter. Jess Smith put a lot of trust in me, and it was the first time I felt like I was truly taken seriously as a professional designer.

4️⃣ What’s your ‘trademark’ style that helps you stand out from other designers?

That is a difficult one to put into words. While designing, I try to stick to what feels right and I’m sure that leads to trends throughout my work. I prefer a style that is cleaner and more elegant as I’m not usually a fan of graphics that feel overdone. Each project calls for a different mindset; I believe I have a strong ability to tailor cars, graphics, etc. to fit who it’s made for uniquely.

5️⃣ Not many can say their first introduction to working in NASCAR involved The King, Richard Petty. What was that experience like?

Working with RP was awesome. He is a one-of-a-kind individual, and he was way more plugged in to what went on at Petty’s Garage and Richard Petty Motorsports than most might expect. All car designs had to get his seal of approval, so it was always satisfying to get the nod from The King when he liked my work. We flew on private jets and rode in cars together—sometimes just me, Richard and Dale Inman, traveling to events. Those memories will stick with me for the rest of my life.

6️⃣ You served a little over a year at Stewart-Haas Racing before the unfortunate closure of the team. After over four seasons at your prior teams, what was one surprising revelation you found moving to a whole new team and group to work with?

I often wondered how much of a difference-maker it would be to have the resources of a team like Stewart-Haas Racing. It was as good, if not better than expected. Having enough talented team members in the creative department allowed more time for everyone to stretch their legs and produce his or her best stuff. We had a great group at SHR and it was a fantastic experience.

7️⃣ As you move into a new role in 2025 with Front Row Motorsports as the Director of Graphic Design, the team’s social channels have taken a bigger step into a new, bold era of design. What does the effort look like to revamp a team’s identity in the social space?

Revamping the visual identity for Front Row Motorsports has been the most enjoyable part of the job over these first few months, and we’re only getting started. The most crucial ingredient to a successful identity revamp is buy-in. We all want Front Row to be taken seriously while sharing the fun we’re having in the process, so the visual identity is meant to reflect that. I’m involved with our digital content team’s weekly meetings to gameplan upcoming graphic needs. I also try and lean on my experience in the social space to kickstart ideas for the group.  

Most race teams spend the bulk of time trying to keep their heads above water and get cars to the track each weekend—rarely do they have the capacity to stop and think about brand identity. I’m looking forward to helping define what that means for Front Row Motorsports going forward.

8️⃣ What was that one moment you remember when you thought, “I’ve made it”?

I have never felt that way, and I’m not sure I will in a professional sense. I was fortunate to achieve a lot of my goals early, having multiple designs on the SEMA Show floor and cars on track in the NASCAR Cup Series all before I turned 25. My younger self would have thought those things would lead to fulfillment. Don’t get me wrong—those experiences have been amazing, and I am so blessed. But this industry moves fast, and I spend more time thinking about what I need to do to keep up and stay relevant. I think my first “made-it” moment will come when I get married later this year.

9️⃣ Share a design tip for people just getting started.

Sketch your plans on pen and paper. Digital tools will train your brain that no matter what mistakes you make, there is always Command+Z to fix them. Analog design doesn’t come with an undo button, and you will be a better problem-solver by exercising that muscle.

If you get stuck in a specialized lane of design, you may burn out. Look for ways to expand your skillset and provide value outside of what your niche. Graphic design might be in your job title, but participating in planning sessions for media campaigns, events, etc. can be mutually beneficial for you and your team members.

For more, follow Brad on Instagram.