In 15 years working across marketing, branding, and design, I’ve led design initiatives for a Shark Tank-winning start-up, supported a SaaS company through IPO, and partnered with more than 30 clients across five countries. Once described by a former CMO as a “unicorn” for my balanced left and right brain thinking, my dichotomies are my strengths: I’m an outgoing introvert, analytical creative, and easygoing go-getter. I bring rare end-to-end fluency across brand strategy, design, and digital marketing, shaped in part by nearly five years at BigCommerce, one of the world’s leading ecommerce platforms, where I served as a senior member of the in-house marketing design team. Through Incandescent Creative, my branding studio founded in 2012, I help founder-led businesses sharpen their positioning, elevate their digital presence, and create meaningful connections with their audiences. As a founder myself, my business is my longest-running case study and my most honest testing ground. That lived experience gives me a perspective most designers don’t have. It’s also how my design studio earned a first-page Google ranking without spending a dollar on ads. Driven by the conviction that how we do business matters, I partner with conscious brands to grow their reach and expand their impact, so they can do more good in the world. I’d love to collaborate with a team that sees design as a strategic asset, supports creative autonomy, and cares about the work as much as the outcome. Currently open to part-time and contract remote opportunities.

Anika Samples

In 15 years working across marketing, branding, and design, I’ve led design initiatives for a Shark Tank-winning start-up, supported a SaaS company through IPO, and partnered with more than 30 clients across five countries. Once described by a former CMO as a “unicorn” for my balanced left and right brain thinking, my dichotomies are my strengths: I’m an outgoing introvert, analytical creative, and easygoing go-getter. I bring rare end-to-end fluency across brand strategy, design, and digital marketing, shaped in part by nearly five years at BigCommerce, one of the world’s leading ecommerce platforms, where I served as a senior member of the in-house marketing design team. Through Incandescent Creative, my branding studio founded in 2012, I help founder-led businesses sharpen their positioning, elevate their digital presence, and create meaningful connections with their audiences. As a founder myself, my business is my longest-running case study and my most honest testing ground. That lived experience gives me a perspective most designers don’t have. It’s also how my design studio earned a first-page Google ranking without spending a dollar on ads. Driven by the conviction that how we do business matters, I partner with conscious brands to grow their reach and expand their impact, so they can do more good in the world. I’d love to collaborate with a team that sees design as a strategic asset, supports creative autonomy, and cares about the work as much as the outcome. Currently open to part-time and contract remote opportunities.

Available to hire

In 15 years working across marketing, branding, and design, I’ve led design initiatives for a Shark Tank-winning start-up, supported a SaaS company through IPO, and partnered with more than 30 clients across five countries.

Once described by a former CMO as a “unicorn” for my balanced left and right brain thinking, my dichotomies are my strengths: I’m an outgoing introvert, analytical creative, and easygoing go-getter.

I bring rare end-to-end fluency across brand strategy, design, and digital marketing, shaped in part by nearly five years at BigCommerce, one of the world’s leading ecommerce platforms, where I served as a senior member of the in-house marketing design team.

Through Incandescent Creative, my branding studio founded in 2012, I help founder-led businesses sharpen their positioning, elevate their digital presence, and create meaningful connections with their audiences.

As a founder myself, my business is my longest-running case study and my most honest testing ground. That lived experience gives me a perspective most designers don’t have. It’s also how my design studio earned a first-page Google ranking without spending a dollar on ads.

Driven by the conviction that how we do business matters, I partner with conscious brands to grow their reach and expand their impact, so they can do more good in the world.

I’d love to collaborate with a team that sees design as a strategic asset, supports creative autonomy, and cares about the work as much as the outcome. Currently open to part-time and contract remote opportunities.

See more

Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Intermediate

Work Experience

Founder & Brand Designer at Incandescent Creative
May 1, 2012 - Present
Founded a boutique brand and web design studio serving founders across the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Lead as creative director, designer, and strategist from discovery through delivery. Delivered integrated brand systems through strategy, identity design, and web design for 30+ clients. Developed proprietary brand methodology and a self-guided digital product. Managed client relationships, project scoping, marketing, and business operations. Grew the studio to a first-page Google ranking through organic SEO and content strategy.
Senior Visual Designer at BigCommerce
February 1, 2017 - August 1, 2021
In-house marketing design leader as the company grew to an IPO in 2020. Oversaw environmental design for HQ and international offices, led all tradeshow and event materials, and contributed to integrated digital marketing campaigns. Created logos and identity systems for internal initiatives and produced storyboards for animation projects.
Marketing Designer at Edgecase
January 1, 2014 - April 1, 2016
Sole in-house designer for a venture-backed B2B SaaS startup. Won a C-Suite logo pitch against an external designer, designed all sales decks and marketing campaigns, and owned UX/UI design of the company website with iterative improvements based on performance metrics.
Marketing Designer at How Do You Roll
January 1, 2010 - March 1, 2013
Sole in-house designer for a fast-growing restaurant franchise during national expansion and a Shark Tank feature. Led two website redesigns, brand repositioning, menu development, and brand assets for the Shark Tank pitch. Supported opening of 15 store locations with print and digital design systems and collaborated with the CMO on marketing strategy. Served as art director to external agencies and designers.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Communication Design at Texas State University
August 8, 2006 - May 11, 2011
Graduated cum laude from a design school named as a top Graphic Design program by Graphic Design USA, 2020

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment