I’m Rana Zandi, a Creative Strategist & Brand Experience Specialist with an MA in Digital Futures from OCAD University. I design AI-powered content and digital identities that drive engagement, loyalty, and cultural impact. My work spans AI-powered production, feminist/political storytelling, and multimedia world-building, including viral projects like Lullaby for Iran (2M+ views) and the AI-animated transmedia series #SAM. I lead end-to-end creative production—from ideation and scripting to AI generation, editing, and delivery—while collaborating across marketing, product, and executive teams. I’ve built cohesive brand universes with color systems, typography, social style guides, character ecosystems, and narrative frameworks. I integrate psychology, narrative theory, and digital futures research to craft high-performing stories and campaigns. I also mentor students as a Teaching Assistant and designer, and I’m passionate about leveraging AI to amplify authentic, culturally meaningful storytelling across bilingual EN/FR contexts.…

Rana Zandi

I’m Rana Zandi, a Creative Strategist & Brand Experience Specialist with an MA in Digital Futures from OCAD University. I design AI-powered content and digital identities that drive engagement, loyalty, and cultural impact. My work spans AI-powered production, feminist/political storytelling, and multimedia world-building, including viral projects like Lullaby for Iran (2M+ views) and the AI-animated transmedia series #SAM. I lead end-to-end creative production—from ideation and scripting to AI generation, editing, and delivery—while collaborating across marketing, product, and executive teams. I’ve built cohesive brand universes with color systems, typography, social style guides, character ecosystems, and narrative frameworks. I integrate psychology, narrative theory, and digital futures research to craft high-performing stories and campaigns. I also mentor students as a Teaching Assistant and designer, and I’m passionate about leveraging AI to amplify authentic, culturally meaningful storytelling across bilingual EN/FR contexts.…

Available to hire

I’m Rana Zandi, a Creative Strategist & Brand Experience Specialist with an MA in Digital Futures from OCAD University. I design AI-powered content and digital identities that drive engagement, loyalty, and cultural impact. My work spans AI-powered production, feminist/political storytelling, and multimedia world-building, including viral projects like Lullaby for Iran (2M+ views) and the AI-animated transmedia series #SAM. I lead end-to-end creative production—from ideation and scripting to AI generation, editing, and delivery—while collaborating across marketing, product, and executive teams.

I’ve built cohesive brand universes with color systems, typography, social style guides, character ecosystems, and narrative frameworks. I integrate psychology, narrative theory, and digital futures research to craft high-performing stories and campaigns. I also mentor students as a Teaching Assistant and designer, and I’m passionate about leveraging AI to amplify authentic, culturally meaningful storytelling across bilingual EN/FR contexts.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Advanced

Work Experience

Brand Experience Strategist / Content Lead at Canada Sportswear Corp
July 1, 2023 - October 31, 2025
Led brand storytelling and digital marketing for a national leader in union-made promotional apparel. Created 'Charlie' the mascot, transforming founder legacy into a unified brand identity across digital, trade show, and internal channels. Produced Hi Charlie, a monthly internal zine driving engagement and reusable content. Designed bilingual EN/FR content strategies across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. Doubled Instagram following through content-systemization and mascot-driven narratives. Built internal AI production pipelines (ChatGPT, RunwayML, SUNO, DALL·E), reducing agency dependency. Collaborated with Sales, Operations, and Executive teams to align brand and business goals.
Teaching Assistant at OCAD University
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2023
Supported faculty and students in digital storytelling, interactive media, narrative systems, and emerging technology course work.
UI/UX Designer at Abscraft Inc.
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2023
Designed tablet-based UX/UI systems improving user satisfaction by 25% and reducing user errors by 30%.
Creative Producer / Freelance at Ex0 Self / Ex0 Studio
January 1, 2019 - Present
Led end-to-end creative production from ideation through scripting, direction, AI generation, editing, and delivery for AI-driven storytelling, digital identities, and multi-media campaigns. Built cohesive brand universes and managed hybrid digital persona advocacy.

Education

Master of Arts in Digital Futures at OCAD University
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2018
Bachelor of Design, Graphic Design at OCAD University
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2015

Qualifications

Generative AI for Creative Professionals: Beginner to Leadership
January 1, 2023 - May 4, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Software & Internet
    paper #SAM — AI-Driven Narrative Universe & Visual System

    #SAM is an AI-assisted narrative and visual storytelling project that blends autobiographical memory, political themes, and experimental animation.

    Developed as both a digital series and immersive web experience, the project explores identity, censorship, and psychological transformation through the perspective of a female protagonist navigating war, trauma, and resistance.

    My role included:

    • Concept development and narrative design (11-episode structure)
    • Visual direction and art system (minimalist red/black identity)
    • AI-assisted image generation and storyboard production
    • UX and website experience design
    • Brand identity development across digital assets

    The project integrates storytelling, design systems, and emerging AI tools to create a cohesive transmedia experience.

    #SAM demonstrates my ability to translate complex emotional and political narratives into strong visual and interactive systems.

    https://www.twine.net/signin