Kelly Smith

Senior Creative Director @SmartBug Media

As a Senior Creative Director, I lead and develop high-performing design teams, scaling our visual design practice to support brand maturity, innovation, and strategic growth. In this player-coach role, I’m focused on building inclusive, healthy team dynamics, fostering creative development, and establishing best practices that enhance both design cohesion and quality. I serve as a strategic partner across business functions, aligning visual design with business priorities and measurable KPIs to drive impact. With a deep understanding of visual design fundamentals, systems thinking, and process optimization, I translate business needs into cutting-edge design solutions that strengthen our brand’s visionary presence.I’m skilled at balancing leadership with hands-on design, empowering my team through clear expectations, feedback loops, and structured growth opportunities. By acting as a cross-functional advocate, I ensure design excellence and alignment across teams, leveraging external partnerships as needed. My role is rooted in ownership and a commitment to delivering high-value, scalable visual solutions that reflect our leadership and boldness in the market.