Email me at: abbeyley@gmail.com | Connect on LinkedIn
My curiosity is massive. The world constantly inspires and challenges me to learn, move and grow.
I'm a multidisciplinary creative leader with 20 years of experience spanning art direction, creative direction, branding, experiential design and visual storytelling. I combine strategic thinking and conceptual development with hands-on design expertise, bringing ideas from early vision through final execution. I value clear, thoughtful communication and bring a warm, collaborative energy to the teams and clients I work with. I'm detail-oriented, resourceful and passionate about integrating visual design with research, storytelling and meaningful ideas. Throughout my career, I've worked both within creative agencies and independently, collaborating with clients and teams across a wide range of industries and creative disciplines.
I'm a multidisciplinary creative leader with 20 years of experience spanning art direction, creative direction, branding, experiential design and visual storytelling. I combine strategic thinking and conceptual development with hands-on design expertise, bringing ideas from early vision through final execution. I value clear, thoughtful communication and bring a warm, collaborative energy to the teams and clients I work with. I'm detail-oriented, resourceful and passionate about integrating visual design with research, storytelling and meaningful ideas. Throughout my career, I've worked both within creative agencies and independently, collaborating with clients and teams across a wide range of industries and creative disciplines.
CORE CAPABILITIES
• Creative & Art Direction – Concept Development, Visual Storytelling, Experiential Campaigns, Brand Activations, Visual Design Systems
• Creative Leadership – Team Leadership, Mentorship, Creative Collaboration, Client Presentations, Feedback & Development
• Branding & Identity: Logo Design, Brand Identity Systems, Brand Guidelines, Typography, Color Theory, Marketing Materials
• Experiential Design: Event Key Art, Environmental Graphics, Signage, Wayfinding, Large-Scale Installations, Stage & Motion Visuals
• Digital & Social: Social Campaigns, Content Strategy, Motion Graphics, Video Editing, Digital Design, Copywriting
• Editorial & Illustration: Editorial Design, Posters, Merchandise, Illustration, Art Direction, Layout
• Writing & Storytelling: Brand Manifestos, Articles, Essays, Copywriting, Tone of Voice
• Creative & Art Direction – Concept Development, Visual Storytelling, Experiential Campaigns, Brand Activations, Visual Design Systems
• Creative Leadership – Team Leadership, Mentorship, Creative Collaboration, Client Presentations, Feedback & Development
• Branding & Identity: Logo Design, Brand Identity Systems, Brand Guidelines, Typography, Color Theory, Marketing Materials
• Experiential Design: Event Key Art, Environmental Graphics, Signage, Wayfinding, Large-Scale Installations, Stage & Motion Visuals
• Digital & Social: Social Campaigns, Content Strategy, Motion Graphics, Video Editing, Digital Design, Copywriting
• Editorial & Illustration: Editorial Design, Posters, Merchandise, Illustration, Art Direction, Layout
• Writing & Storytelling: Brand Manifestos, Articles, Essays, Copywriting, Tone of Voice
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY
Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Premiere Pro, Acrobat, Firefly, Figma
AI-assisted tools: ChatGPT and Midjourney, thoughtfully integrated into creative workflows where appropriate.
AI-assisted tools: ChatGPT and Midjourney, thoughtfully integrated into creative workflows where appropriate.
CONTINUING EDUCATION & CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
• Design Research, Writing & Criticism Residency at SVA, June 2024
• Spanish classes at EF International Language Campus in Barcelona, April 2026
• Two 10-week Gotham Writers Workshops in Memoir Writing in 2024 & 2025
• NYU x Rolling Stone Modern Journalism course in 2024
• Reuters Introduction to Digital Journalism course in Dec 2023
• Design Research, Writing & Criticism Residency at SVA, June 2024
• Spanish classes at EF International Language Campus in Barcelona, April 2026
• Two 10-week Gotham Writers Workshops in Memoir Writing in 2024 & 2025
• NYU x Rolling Stone Modern Journalism course in 2024
• Reuters Introduction to Digital Journalism course in Dec 2023
My work on integrated women's health campaign, Phexxi "House Rules" with Real Chemistry earned:
One Show, Gold Pencil, 2022
Cannes Lions, Silver & Bronze, Pharma, 2022
Clio Health Awards, Gold, Film (Pharma/DTC), 2022
14th Annual Shorty Awards, Winner, Pharma & Healthcare
MedAdNews Manny Awards, Winner, Best Consumer Web Campaign, 2022
PRWeek Healthcare & Pharma Communications Awards, Second Place, Social Media/Influencer, 2022
Ad Age recognition: House Rules named one of the 10 Best Celebrity Ads of 2021
Cannes Lions, Silver & Bronze, Pharma, 2022
Clio Health Awards, Gold, Film (Pharma/DTC), 2022
14th Annual Shorty Awards, Winner, Pharma & Healthcare
MedAdNews Manny Awards, Winner, Best Consumer Web Campaign, 2022
PRWeek Healthcare & Pharma Communications Awards, Second Place, Social Media/Influencer, 2022
Ad Age recognition: House Rules named one of the 10 Best Celebrity Ads of 2021
SELECT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1. Match Day Live at Brookfield Place, NYC: 2026 World Cup experiential campaign and graphic design
2. Heineken USA: Experiential design and branded activations at Coachella Music & Arts Festival, the US Open and Formula 1 events
3. Real Chemistry: Senior Art Director & Team Lead – full-time; Associate Creative Director, Art – contract
4. On Brand with Jimmy Fallon: Graphic design support for contestants on NBC's reality competition
5. Amgen: Osteoporosis awareness campaign and symbol design
6. Big Spaceship: Illustration for Google Play and Google Play Music
2. Heineken USA: Experiential design and branded activations at Coachella Music & Arts Festival, the US Open and Formula 1 events
3. Real Chemistry: Senior Art Director & Team Lead – full-time; Associate Creative Director, Art – contract
4. On Brand with Jimmy Fallon: Graphic design support for contestants on NBC's reality competition
5. Amgen: Osteoporosis awareness campaign and symbol design
6. Big Spaceship: Illustration for Google Play and Google Play Music
ADDITIONAL CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS
Netflix: Social media animations
Austin City Limits Festival: Motion and animation
Blackbird Presents: Live music events, festivals and music releases
Wanderlust: Art direction and experiential design
Twin Health: Social content creation
1AB Media: Creative direction, design and animation for biotech clients
MFG Productions: Branding and influencer event marketing
ICON Worldwide: International agency experience in Switzerland
-Independent music and podcast artwork
Netflix: Social media animations
Austin City Limits Festival: Motion and animation
Blackbird Presents: Live music events, festivals and music releases
Wanderlust: Art direction and experiential design
Twin Health: Social content creation
1AB Media: Creative direction, design and animation for biotech clients
MFG Productions: Branding and influencer event marketing
ICON Worldwide: International agency experience in Switzerland
-Independent music and podcast artwork
Email me at: abbeyley@gmail.com | Connect on LinkedIn