Paula Riley Design
Senior Art Director & Creative Mentor of Visual Mischief
BRANDING | STORYTELLING | DESIGN... THAT WORKS
Hi, I’m Paula.
The Midwest is famous for corn, cheese, beer, and football. But sometimes, it produces a creative oddball who’d rather doodle than tailgate. Ope, that’s me! Growing up in a tiny house with a big family taught me how to negotiate, compromise, stand up for myself, and most importantly: carve out my own space (sometimes literally).
Fast forward: I’m now an art director and creative mentor with a knack for building real connections through storytelling. My work spans advertising, branding, CPG, and publishing - using design, photography, illustration, and embracing AI as tools to elevate creativity, always with people at the heart of the experience. The common thread? Turning ideas into visuals that truly stick.
Big challenges, unexpected collaborations, and guiding rising creatives keep me fresh - along with the thrill of crafting memorable content. At the end of the day, it’s not about making pretty pictures; it’s about helping brands tell stories worth noticing.
Making a living doing what I love isn’t luck. It’s by design.
CONTACT
(A flattering picture of me taken on a good hair day when the sun was hitting me just right. You know, standard professional head shot. Minimal editing. Definitely me in a nutshell.)
Need a contractor for a project? Looking for a full-time creative? Interested in discusing art, design and the latest trends? Let's chat!
I'M YOUR PERSON. HERE'S WHY.
• Adaptable enough to thrive in chaos, organized enough to make it look easy.
• Confident leader, thoughtful listener, and unflappable on a Monday morning.
• Deadlines meet me, not the other way around.
• Can design the presentation and keep the room awake while giving it.
• Collaboration is my favorite sport, though I can run the solo sprints too.
• Equal parts strategist, storyteller, and brand’s biggest hype woman.
• Personality cocktail: a shot of vision, a splash of loyalty, a twist of humor, sprinkle with plenty of heart.
INTRIGUED? GOOD.
I’m not only an art director, I’m also a published coloring book creator, fierce family loyalist, puzzle solver, sunshine chaser, and unapologetic animal snuggler. Most days you’ll find me singing to K-Pop Demon Hunters with my 11-year old or laughing too loudly with friends over a hearty meal. I like to think I can do it all, though life reminds me otherwise. Welcome to my beautiful mess; coffee rings and pet hair included.
