Brad Richards

Brad Richards’ work is both deceptively simple and powerfully evocative, drawing inspiration from the dramatic landscape outside his studio in Galisteo, New Mexico, as well as his extensive background in industrial design. After years of crafting visually striking illustrations to compete in the highly competitive automotive design industry, he now channels that same attention to detail and creative energy into his artwork—capturing the beauty, spirit, and ruggedness of the American West.

Brad’s journey began in his early twenties, when he would ride his motorcycle from his hometown of Detroit to Santa Fe each summer in search of inspiration. His creative career took him to Ford Motor Company, where he spent nearly two decades, ultimately serving as Chief Designer overseeing the design of iconic vehicles such as the F-150 and the Ford Raptor. Today, Brad is the Vice President of Design and Creative Director of Motorcycles at Harley-Davidson, where he leads the team responsible for the design and development of the company’s legendary motorcycles.

Though his professional life has been shaped by the world of high-performance vehicles, Brad’s love for the high desert landscape of New Mexico has brought him to settle there full-time. By day, he manages Harley-Davidson’s design team; by night, he transforms the breathtaking view from his studio into a new form of creative expression, painting and drawing the landscapes and stories that inspire him.

His work reflects a deep connection to both his design roots and the land that now serves as his home. While there’s gasoline and oil in his blood, there’s also plenty of desert dust in his pockets—an embodiment of the passion and sense of place that informs his artistic vision.

Professional Background:

Brad Richards is the Vice President of Design and Creative Director of Motorcycles at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. In this role, he oversees the design and development of Harley-Davidson’s iconic motorcycles, managing all aspects of motorcycle design, including technical operations, industrial design, graphic design, color/material/finish, digital surfacing, and 3D fabrication.

Before joining Harley-Davidson, Brad was Chief Designer at Ford Motor Company, where he led the exterior design of the F-Series trucks, including the F-150 and the Ford Raptor. Over the course of his 18-year career at Ford, he worked in various global locations, including North America, Italy, and Germany. Brad holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he also taught industrial design as a post-graduate instructor.