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Hello! I’m Umanga Samarasinghe, a multidisciplinary creative director, artist, and photographer who loves blending design thinking with hands-on storytelling. I’ve built and led creative teams across branding, fashion, and public art, with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainable, purpose-driven visuals. I enjoy turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives and guiding projects from concept to delivery while mentoring emerging talent and nurturing inclusive, expressive cultures. My work spans brand strategy, design direction, skateboarding culture in Sri Lanka, and feminist/gender-justice storytelling through visual campaigns. I’m energized by collaborative environments, cross-disciplinary exploration, and crafting visuals that empower people and communities to express themselves boldly and authentically.…Hello! I’m Umanga Samarasinghe, a multidisciplinary creative director, artist, and photographer who loves blending design thinking with hands-on storytelling. I’ve built and led creative teams across branding, fashion, and public art, with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainable, purpose-driven visuals. I enjoy turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives and guiding projects from concept to delivery while mentoring emerging talent and nurturing inclusive, expressive cultures. My work spans brand strategy, design direction, skateboarding culture in Sri Lanka, and feminist/gender-justice storytelling through visual campaigns. I’m energized by collaborative environments, cross-disciplinary exploration, and crafting visuals that empower people and communities to express themselves boldly and authentically.

Umanga Samarasinghe

Creative Director, Artist, Photographer, +4

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Hello! I’m Umanga Samarasinghe, a multidisciplinary creative director, artist, and photographer who loves blending design thinking with hands-on storytelling. I’ve built and led creative teams across branding, fashion, and public art, with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainable, purpose-driven visuals. I enjoy turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives and guiding projects from concept to delivery while mentoring emerging talent and nurturing inclusive, expressive cultures. My work spans brand strategy, design direction, skateboarding culture in Sri Lanka, and feminist/gender-justice storytelling through visual campaigns. I’m energized by collaborative environments, cross-disciplinary exploration, and crafting visuals that empower people and communities to express themselves boldly and authentically.…Hello! I’m Umanga Samarasinghe, a multidisciplinary creative director, artist, and photographer who loves blending design thinking with hands-on storytelling. I’ve built and led creative teams across branding, fashion, and public art, with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainable, purpose-driven visuals. I enjoy turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives and guiding projects from concept to delivery while mentoring emerging talent and nurturing inclusive, expressive cultures. My work spans brand strategy, design direction, skateboarding culture in Sri Lanka, and feminist/gender-justice storytelling through visual campaigns. I’m energized by collaborative environments, cross-disciplinary exploration, and crafting visuals that empower people and communities to express themselves boldly and authentically.

Available to hire

Hello! I’m Umanga Samarasinghe, a multidisciplinary creative director, artist, and photographer who loves blending design thinking with hands-on storytelling. I’ve built and led creative teams across branding, fashion, and public art, with a strong focus on community engagement and sustainable, purpose-driven visuals. I enjoy turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives and guiding projects from concept to delivery while mentoring emerging talent and nurturing inclusive, expressive cultures.

My work spans brand strategy, design direction, skateboarding culture in Sri Lanka, and feminist/gender-justice storytelling through visual campaigns. I’m energized by collaborative environments, cross-disciplinary exploration, and crafting visuals that empower people and communities to express themselves boldly and authentically.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Creative Director / Head of Design at MAD - Manga Art Direction

January 1, 2016 - Present

Lead creative direction, brand storytelling and design strategy; developed campaigns, concepts and visual narratives; mentored emerging talent and built holistic design workflows in collaboration with a global team.

Co-founder at Push Skateboards

January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016

Co-founded Sri Lanka's first skateboard brand; led brand development, marketing strategies, and design direction; built a thriving skate community and contributed to youth culture and self-expression.

Creative Consultant at SLYCAN Trust / EthicalX Innovation Hub (Climafuge)

January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024

Developed creative strategies and oversaw art direction for company communications; generated innovative visuals; collaborated with fashion and food cohorts to develop brand identities and narratives.

Freelance Creative Consultant/Artist at Self-employed / Freelance

January 1, 2016 - Present

Independent creative consultant and artist delivering holistic brand and product concepts across fashion, art, and digital media. Leads projects end-to-end, guides startups and entrepreneurs, and articulates concepts to clients while coordinating design teams and freelancers. Translates complex briefs into clear, scalable visuals and strategies; stays updated on industry trends; mentors emerging talent when possible.

Co-founder & Head of Design at Manga Chan (Instagram / Contemporary Artist project)

January 1, 2012 - Present

Contemporary artist and founder/Head of Design for Manga Chan, focusing on concept art, visual storytelling, and brand narratives. Develops design systems and campaigns that merge art with community engagement, while mentoring artists and driving audience participation through social and public-art initiatives.

Creative Consultant at SLYCAN Trust / EthicalX Innovation Hub, CLIMAFUGE

January 1, 2024 - June 1, 2024

Overseen art direction and creative strategy for organizational communications and climate-focused initiatives. Develops innovative visual strategies and brand messages; collaborates with fashion and food cohorts to shape brand identities and narratives; contributes to community and planetary-centered design education.

Fashion & Surface Designer / Trend Researcher at GSC Link

June 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025

Designed women’s knits and intimates capsules for USA-based brands (silhouettes, print placements, trims); built seasonal color stories and print/pattern systems; delivered press-ready placements and tech packs. Produced USA-focused macro/micro trend decks and consumer scans; translated insights into clear design briefs and line plans.

Freelance Visual Designer at Global Fund for Women

June 1, 2025 - September 1, 2025

Led end-to-end design for campaigns and programs: social media content, presentations, and event branding collateral. Translated gender-justice narratives into clear visuals; built modular templates for self-serve design; produced multi-format assets and presentation systems for partner briefings, funder meetings, and webinars.