creative director artist sculptor designer

Dynamic Senior Creative Director with a proven track record in leading global creative initiatives within innovative technology and AI startups. A strategic thinker and an inclusive, collaborative leader, I am passionate about driving innovation in design and storytelling to engage stakeholders and develop user-centric experiences. I excel in bridging the gap between creative vision and technical execution, leveraging my understanding of software engineering and data science to foster collaboration across diverse teams. My expertise in user-centric design, brand identity development, and strategic marketing allows me to craft compelling narratives and impactful experiences that resonate with target audiences. I am committed to promoting inclusivity and driving engagement and product success through innovative campaigns and designs. I have successfully elevated brand presence across various sectors including  technology, manufacturing, fashion, fitness, medical/wellness, arts/entertainment, real estate, beverage/spirits, financial, educational and travel/hospitality, consistently delivering measurable results.

In my current role as Senior Creative Director at an innovative artificial intelligence tech startup, I was recruited to establish and lead the global Creative Department. I manage collaborative efforts across teams in three countries and five time zones, focusing on brand identity development and product design. I work closely with Product and Engineering teams to create and name products, their brand identities, develop the UI/UX design system, user personas, and overall product  functionality. By conducting client visits, gathering comparative data, and feedback across all disciplines, I provide design insights and evaluate product design and deployment workflows. Under my leadership, the creative team implements UI/UX design initiatives, maintains design component libraries, conducts thorough UI/UX and DEIB reviews, and facilitates focus group testing. I lead DEIB-related initiatives within our organization, including the development of forward-facing and internal materials, managing a feedback-focused working group, and prioritizing accessibility. Collaborate with Product and Production Operations teams to create industrial design solutions for hardware deployments at client locations.

My team and I collaborate with Data Science and Applied Research on projects centered around synthetic data generation and the 3D reconstruction of real environments. We review challenges, problem solve, and then produce photorealistic and stylized data sets within the 3D design space, boosting the efficiency of AI model training and expediting delivery timelines. 

In collaboration with Strategic Innovation, Marketing, and Business Development, I design and oversee the creation of all external-facing materials, including logo development, brand identity, website design, marketing collateral, sales tools, informational videos, and trade show exhibits. My team and I produce complex photorealistic and stylized 3D scenes, environments, and characters within a sales tool I designed to provide CEOs with an enhanced understanding of our AI capabilities in a 3D contextual space. This initiative resulted in the launch of a large-scale 3D environment project, which is becoming a key asset in our sales and marketing strategy, setting our company apart from competitors. Additionally, my team delivers high-quality video content and visual effects, managing projects from concept to completion while integrating graphics and animations to meet team specifications.

Through these efforts, our rapidly expanding startup has gained significant recognition and credibility among billion-dollar corporations, leading to a measurable increase in our client base and enhancing our reputation each quarter in the highly competitive AI space.

From the age of three, I have been immersed in a world of creativity. My journey began at our local institute of arts, where I attended several classes a week for over 15 years. There, I explored a diverse array of mediums—from pottery, sculpture, and painting to figure drawing, illustration, en plein air, stained glass, jewelry, and weaving. Witnessing my instructors, who were accomplished fine artists, work and evolve in their craft laid the foundation for my enduring passion for creative exploration. From my earliest years, I was immersed in group studio settings, accustomed to collaboration, critique, and a dynamic exchange of ideas. 

After earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts, I expanded my practice in both traditional fine art and digital mediums, working in cultural hubs such as New York, London, Singapore, Brussels, Toronto, Miami, and the Caribbean. At the age of 23, I sold my first company—a creative agency—to a tech company, marking an early milestone in my journey as an entrepreneurial creative leader.

Through sculpture, I channel a distinctive artistic vision that bridges traditional techniques and contemporary innovation. My current collection, New Growth—featured in ten group exhibitions across the United States and Europe—embodies my belief in the subtle beauty of intricate details and the interconnected network of our choices and our world. You can view my work here: audreyzahraafranklin.com  

As a gender non-conforming artist, I am deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and sparking transformative engagement in every endeavor. Whether I am sculpting or orchestrating integrated creative projects that challenge conventional narratives, I bring an unwavering dedication to innovation and authentic storytelling. My work stands as a living testament to the enduring power of creativity—a force that not only shapes our individual journeys but also redefines the landscape of our collective future. By embracing vulnerability and amplifying diverse voices I strive to foster transformative connections that inspire.

Creative Direction | Project and Resource Management | Cross-Functional Inclusive Leadership | Brand Identity Development | User-Centric Design | Product Development | 3D Modeling & Animation Direction | Short Film Production and Direction | Strategic Marketing | Data-Driven Insights | DEIB Advocacy | Business Development