Shaping brands through design, research, and innovation.
Hello! I’m Carmen, a strategic marketing and communications leader with a background as a Senior Art Director, leaving my creative fingerprints on campaigns across Australia and Canada. I’ve led brand storytelling through editorial direction, large-scale integrated campaigns, and cross-channel marketing strategies that connect emotionally and drive measurable impact. Beyond visual design, I’m deeply passionate about data-driven storytelling, audience insights, and staying ahead of emerging communication trends.
Skills
Brand Storytelling
With 11 years of experience in the marketing industry, I have developed strong skills in leading projects from concept to execution across diverse platforms. I guide cross-functional teams, develop cohesive visual strategies, and translate client objectives into innovative campaigns.
Integrated Marketing Leadership
I am an empathetic leader who cultivates strong communication, strategic thinking, and a collaborative approach, motivating a team while fostering a positive and innovative environment. I focus on building accountability while encouraging creativity and experimentation, ensuring every team member feels supported and empowered.
Insight-Driven Strategy
I believe great campaigns start with understanding people. My approach to marketing is rooted in insight-driven strategy, using data, research, and audience behavior to inform every creative decision. By translating insights into actionable storytelling, I ensure that each campaign resonates.
Experience
Lemieux Bédard
Senior Digital Art Director
January 2022 - current
Art Director
January 2019 - December 2021
Direct Focus Communications
Ogilvy Australia
Digital Designer
January 2016 - December 2018
New Republique
Graphic Designer
January 2015 - December 2015
Guru Hospitality Projects
Graphic Design Intern
January 2014 - January 2015
Design Identity Australia
Graphic Design Intern
May 2014 - August 2014
Education
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January 2012 - December 2014
I graduated in 2014 with a distinction average from a Bachelor of Creative Arts degree majoring in Graphic Design at the University of Wollongong, tailored for those passionate about design. This interdisciplinary program spanned a wide range of visual art forms, from drawing, painting, and sculpture to contemporary visual communication practices such as interaction design, user experience, client-based projects, spatial design, and print advertising. Through hands-on studio work and studies in design history and theory, I developed strong creative, critical, and strategic thinking skills, learned to conduct extensive research, write clear annotations, and present confidently to large audiences. It was during this degree that I developed a deep passion for digital design and learned the importance of design research in creating user-centered, effective, and engaging digital experiences. Guided by practicing designers, artists, and scholars, I graduated equipped with the versatile expertise to thrive in today’s digital and creative industries. -
January 2014 - April 2014
I’ve always been the type of creative who loves viewing design through a foreign lens, fascinated by how trends differ across countries and cultures. I became especially interested in how people from different cultures read and react to marketing based on variations in values, communication styles, language, and social norms that shape their perception of messages, imagery, and emotional appeals. In my final year at the University of Wollongong, I took this passion quite literally, travelling 14,370 kilometres from home to study at the University of Manitoba’s School of Art from January to April 2014. During the winter term, I immersed myself in four subjects: History of Visual Communication (theoretical), HTML Coding, and Design Studio 3 (practical). Despite temperatures plummeting to -40°C, the experience deepened my love for Canada’s culture, people, and creative scene, and ultimately inspired my move back in 2019. -
January 2011 - December 2011
In 2011, I gained my Diploma in Graphic Design through a one-year course designed to strengthen both my creative and technical skills while providing hands-on experience in producing work for advertising, packaging, and publishing. Through a mix of theory and practical coursework, I learned to navigate the full design process from initial concept to final product, work within client briefs to meet expectations, and create both digital and 3D designs using industry-standard software. The course also sharpened my hand drawing and illustration abilities, while equipping me with the skills to plan and deliver professional client presentations. -
January 2010 - December 2010
In 2010, I got my start in the design world by obtaining my Certificate IV in Graphic Design at TAFE NSW—a course focused on design processes that built on my existing skills and prepared me for a career in the global design industry. Studying in purpose-built studios, workspaces, and galleries, I collaborated with other creative students and began building my professional network. The program provided fundamental graphic design skills with an emphasis on exploration and experimentation, laying a strong foundation for my Diploma and Advanced Diploma studies. Developed in close consultation with industry professionals, it equipped me with practical, real-world skills to confidently advance my design career.
“I could recommend Carmen based on her keen eye for clean, effective design. Or her dedication to producing the best results on every job. Or her strong work ethic and commitment. Or even her penchant for bringing in tasty home-cooked treats. But if I had to pick one thing to recommend Carmen for, it’d be her unfailingly pleasant nature. She’s an absolute joy to work with, and that’s a big part of why she’s outstanding at her job.”
— Jono Wright (Ogilvy)

