Darci Manley

New York, NY, USA

  1. Design
  2. Creative Director
  3. Typography
  4. Advertising
  5. Art Direction
  6. Brand Development

Creative Director: Brand, Product, Narrative

Darci is a creative leader with 20 years of experience across advertising, product design, and gaming, helping teams turn ambitious ideas into clear stories, strong brands, and thoughtful digital experiences.

Most recently, she led the creation of the digital roleplaying game Fablecraft, guiding the team through fundraising, prototyping, design, and launch. Before that, she built her career as a Creative Director at advertising agencies including Digitas, Grey, and Organic, leading campaigns for major consumer brands.

Her work spans industries and platforms, and she’s equally comfortable setting creative direction, leading teams, and rolling up her sleeves to make the work herself.

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Darci Manley

Work

  • Darci Manley — Creative Director

    Creative director shaping brands, digital products, and story-driven experiences.

    https://darcimanley.com

Experience

  • Riftweaver Game Studio

    Riftweaver Game Studio

    Creative Director

    Jan 2022 - Present

    • Over the past four years, I’ve led the creative development of Fablecraft, a beautifully designed, story-rich digital roleplaying game. We built it from the ground up to make tabletop gaming easier, more intuitive, and more fun, especially for new players. As Creative Director, I:
    • Oversee a global team of designers, writers, artists, animators, VO actors, and composers
    • Build and refine the interface and design of the game
    • Lead all art direction, guiding hundreds of illustrations
    • Co-write and edit all of our adventures, which are set in the vibrant world of Mythas (our game's original IP)
  • thelab

    thelab

    Chief Creative Officer

    Sep 2017 - Mar 2021

    thelab is a performance-driven agency specializing in advertising and design across various mediums.

    • Managed and led the growth of a creative team from ground up to a 40-member strong.
    • Established robust team structures, setting clear goals and training practices for sustained excellence.
    • Led strategic pitches, securing and modeling diverse client relationships, enhancing the agency's reputation.
  • thelab

    thelab

    Group Creative Director

    Mar 2014 - Sep 2017

  • Freelance Consultant

    Freelance Creative Director, Art and Copy

    Oct 2012 - Mar 2014

    Freelance Consultant provides flexible design, writing, strategic, and management support.

    • Seamlessly integrated into projects delivering high-quality branding and complex site design solutions.
    • Developed strategic pitches and marketing content, enhancing the brand presence of various NYC agencies.
  • Digitas North America

    Digitas North America

    VP, Creative Director

    Mar 2010 - Nov 2012

    Digitas is a global digital marketing agency helping businesses grow through effective marketing strategies.

    • Led creative teams on high-profile campaigns for brands like American Express, Gucci, and Samsung.
    • Oversaw creation and implementation of digital applications, promotional materials, and site experiences.
  • G2

    G2

    Associate Creative Director

    Jan 2008 - Mar 2010

    G2 is the largest software marketplace, trusted by millions to make informed software decisions.

    • Managed and guided creative teams for leading brands such as M&M’s and 3 Musketeers.
    • Directed multiple high-impact promotions, product launches, and social campaigns enhancing market reach.
  • Organic

    Organic

    Art Director

    Jan 2005 - Dec 2008

    Organic is an agency providing strategic and digital excellence to elevate brands in a dynamic market.

    • Designed comprehensive e-commerce and promotional sites, collaborating with diverse creative teams.
    • Contributed to successful projects for renowned clients including Bank of America, Coach, and Vogue.