Kelly Small

Kelly Small is a performance-driven, award-winning ECD, designer, and best-selling author with deep roots in communication design, digital marketing, and advertising, and a special focus on ethical, sustainable, and inclusive practice. A proven creative leader, strategist, and affiliated design researcher with Emily Carr University, Kelly holds a Master’s degree in design where their research focused on design ethics, social impact, social innovation, and sustainability.

Kelly has experience leading major brands across most sectors including automotive, CPG, entertainment, fashion, finance, nonprofit, retail, technology, telecom, and more. A certified member of the RGD, Kelly donates their time to mentoring early career designers, leading the LGBTQ2S+ virtual RGD community, and participating in the RGD Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee.

Kelly’s book, The Conscious Creative: Practical Ethics for Purposeful Work is an actionable guide to practical ethics for any creative professional who wants to earn a living without selling their soul. The Conscious Creative centres mindfulness of impact: personal, social, environmental, and economic.