Available to hire
I’m Craig G Smith, a Senior Creative Lead, Design Manager, and Brand Strategist based in Falkirk, Scotland. With 25+ years of experience, I’ve led design teams and delivered packaging, branding, and digital solutions for global brands and major UK retailers. I excel at building and restructuring in-house design departments, guiding creative strategy, and ensuring brand consistency across diverse sectors.
I blend hands-on creative execution with strategic leadership to drive measurable business results. My work spans award-winning packaging, multi-channel campaigns, and production systems, and I’m passionate about mentoring teams, shaping creative operations, and delivering scalable processes that fuel growth.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd, Dundee
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Senior Designer at Right Angle, The Edge, Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer at Various Clients
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Oversaw operations, product development, and branding for the business.
Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Founded design consultancy focused on branding and packaging.
Senior Design Roles at Right Angle, The Edge, Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Held various senior design positions across multiple agencies.
Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Created clothing designs and product ranges for international markets.
Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd, Dundee
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer at Various
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Senior Design Roles at Right Angle, The Edge, Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer at Independent / Freelance
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Senior Design Roles at Right Angle, The Edge, Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Senior design roles across multiple studios.
Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd, Dundee
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led a commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, and branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Owner/Manager; led business operations, branding and customer experience.
Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Founder of CiAn Design; led branding and design projects.
Senior Design Roles at Right Angle, The Edge, Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Senior design roles focusing on branding and print design.
Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Clothing designer for fashion lines.
Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd, Dundee
January 1, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led a commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
January 1, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer at Various Clients
January 1, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, and branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
January 1, 2009 - September 22, 2025Oversaw operations of a food venture, including branding and customer experience.
Founder at CiAn Design
January 1, 1995 - September 22, 2025Founded design practice delivering branding and graphic design.
Senior Design Roles at Right Angle / The Edge / Davis Design
January 1, 1998 - September 22, 2025Senior design roles across multiple studios, contributing to branding and design projects.
Clothing Designer at Emreco International
January 1, 1991 - September 22, 2025Designed clothing lines for commercial production.
Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer at Various Clients
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, branding projects across multiple industries.
Owner/ Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Senior Designer at Right Angle / The Edge / Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Freelance Creative Director at Design by Cargill
January 1, 2018 - PresentDelivering packaging, digital, and branding solutions in the luxury goods sector. Consulting on brand strategy, design workflow, and creative operations.
Creative Design Manager at DC Thomson & Co Ltd, Dundee
December 31, 2016 - September 22, 2025Led a commercial creative team of 10 across newspapers and magazines. Oversaw workflow management systems, digital advertising design, and multi-channel brand campaigns. Supported Enterprise division contributing to £8M in annual revenue.
Creative Lead at Tannoy International
December 31, 2006 - September 22, 2025Established a global in-house design department, overseeing marketing, packaging, exhibitions, and digital production. Managed budgets nearing £500K and led teams in Scotland and North America.
Freelance Creative Designer at Various
December 31, 2014 - September 22, 2025Packaging, web, and branding projects across multiple industries as part of an ongoing freelance portfolio.
Owner/Manager at The Soupery
December 31, 2009 - September 22, 2025Led the business operations, branding, and customer experience for a specialty food venture, developing brand identity and market presence.
Founder at CiAn Design
December 31, 1995 - September 22, 2025Founded a design consultancy providing packaging, branding, and design services for clients across multiple sectors.
Senior Design Roles at Right Angle; The Edge; Davis Design
December 31, 1998 - September 22, 2025Progressed through senior design positions delivering branding, print, and design projects across multiple agencies and teams.
Clothing Designer at Emreco International
December 31, 1991 - September 22, 2025Created clothing designs and contributed to product development for fashion lines.
Education
BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons) Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025BA (Hons), Fashion & Design at Edinburgh College of Art
January 11, 2030 - September 22, 2025Qualifications
Industry Experience
Retail, Consumer Goods, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Other
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