Experience
I've moved between independent work, early startup teams, and embedded creative partnerships. Some engagements overlap, particularly consulting through Tom Smith Design and my own venture work.
Thomas Elliott Smith ยท Portland, Maine
BFA in Graphic Design, Savannah College of Art and Design, 2015.
Roles and engagements
June 2026 to present
Self-directed venture studio
Hatrack Digital LLC
Founder
I develop and validate businesses and digital products across brand, interface design, implementation, marketing, and early operations. Current ventures include West End Ghost Tours, StoryBrags, and Tusque.
Explore the work at Hatrack Digital LLCFebruary 2026 to present
Consulting
The Action Company / Action Analytics
Embedded Creative Partner
Embedded with Growth Marketing on digital and print creative, art direction, reusable Figma systems, and internal creative tools.
Explore the work at The Action Company / Action AnalyticsMay 2024 to present
Independent consultancy
Tom Smith Design
Principal Creative Director
Creative direction, brand strategy, marketing and product design, websites, and technical implementation for founders and teams. Selected clients include Total Synergy, Action Analytics, No To The Man Brands, and Tidus Wallet / NYCrypto.
Explore the work at Tom Smith DesignDecember 2024 to July 2026
Consulting
Total Synergy
Embedded Creative Partner
Worked with Growth Marketing on campaigns, motion graphics, landing pages, and WordPress development. Built a reusable Figma marketing system and asset library for the wider team.
Explore the work at Total SynergyMarch 2022 to May 2024
Employment
tea.xyz / tea Protocol
Director of Creative Operations
Joined among the first 10 employees. Independently built the first two marketing sites with Hugo, collaborated on the tea GUI, and led creative operations during a period of rapid company growth.
Explore the work at tea.xyz / tea ProtocolJanuary to August 2022
Concurrent engagement
Alaeris
Chief Creative Officer
Assisted with brand development, investor materials, and staffing for an early environmental and blockchain concept.
May 2021 to May 2022
Independent agency
Anchor Point Collective Inc.
Owner & Founder
Led launches of 10+ brands and minimum viable products in 12 months as a creative, design, and development partner to a venture studio. Managed interns, freelancers, and vendors.
Explore the work at Anchor Point Collective Inc.March 2019 to February 2021
Employment
Candor USA Inc. / MyHealthily
Creative Director
Early team member overseeing creative direction across product, marketing, and sales. Built WordPress Multisite infrastructure for 20+ subsidiary brands and sites and contributed to organic growth. Candor was subsequently acquired by MyHealthily.
Explore the work at Candor USA Inc. / MyHealthilyDecember 2016 to March 2019
Freelance
Independent practice
Freelance Graphic Designer
Worked remotely with 100+ clients across six continents on brand, web, digital, and marketing design. This was the start of my independent, location-flexible career.
Earlier assignments
In 2015 and 2016, I worked on corporate and agency assignments in New York and New Jersey, largely through Robert Half / The Creative Group.
| Organization | Role and dates | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Quidsi, an Amazon subsidiary | Freelance Production Designer, July to September 2015 | Seasonal e-commerce and advertising assets across seven consumer brands. |
| Verizon | Freelance Graphic Designer, October 2015 | 50 vector illustrations following the company’s Pentagram-developed identity. |
| EngenderHealth | Interim Senior Graphic Designer, February to August 2016 | Advocacy and public-awareness posters, flyers, emails, and presentations under the Creative Director. |
| Horizon Group USA | Freelance Packaging Designer, September 2016 | Consumer product packaging for Walmart Canada. |
| Sakar International / Vivitar | Freelance Packaging Designer, October to November 2016 | Electronics packaging, physical mockups, and production-ready dielines. |
| RadicalMedia | Freelance Graphic Designer, November 2016 | Digital assets for an American Express UNSTAGED campaign. |
Speaking
I’ve spoken at UMass Lowell on two occasions about “Freelance Creative Work 101,” sharing practical experience from working independently.
More about the work
Read my story, explore selected projects, or get in touch about a role or project.