Rachel Sparks

Experience

• Freelance Art & Creative Director

  Creative Director

  Jun 2024 - Present

  Throughout my career, I’ve freelanced with both big and small brands as an Art and Creative Director. Now freelancing full-time, I lead creative campaigns from concept to execution, develop insight-driven strategies, and foster collaborative, supportive workspaces while mentoring creatives.

  • Guide creative campaigns from concept to execution, ensuring strategic alignment and brand consistency across media formats.
  • Collaborate with partners and cross-functional teams to deliver modern, insight-driven creative that balances project goals, creative principles, and authentic audience connection.
  • Develop and refine design systems and processes to optimize creative performance, foster alignment, and create a more collaborative and enjoyable team environment.
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders through presentations, thoughtful feedback, and live reviews, adopting a hands-on approach as needed.
• 

  Instacart

  Associate Creative Director

  Dec 2021 - Jun 2024

  Instacart offers grocery delivery and pickup through its app, connecting customers with local stores. Since 2012, its mission has been to "Share love through food" by partnering with retailers to provide access to the foods people love and giving them more time to enjoy it together.

  • Established and led the Growth Creative team, blending creative direction and strategy to craft impactful content across social, digital, and print channels for both consumer and shopper audiences—consistently driving performance well beyond our targets.
  • Directed dynamic brand and product marketing initiatives, pushing innovative, human-centric creative from concept through every stage of execution.
  • Led a team of senior creatives, offering mentorship while cultivating a culture of creative excellence and collaboration across the broader team.
  • Piloted and led citizenship initiatives across the larger Marketing team to support authentic team building within a remote team.
• 

  3Q/Dept Agency

  Senior Art Director

  Jul 2020 - Nov 2021

  3Q/Dept Agency is a digital marketing firm blending creativity with data-driven strategies. They specialize in performance marketing, content creation, and consulting, using tech and insights for growth and engagement.

  • Collaborated closely with clients, account, strategy, and creative teams to create and deliver high-performing creative content across growth marketing channels.
  • Directed extensive video productions and digital campaigns, overseeing the entire process from concept to final production. This included ideation, storyboards, casting, remote productions, editing, VFX, and more.
  • Served as a team leader, providing mentorship to associate creatives, and played an active role in consistently improving team processes.
  • Led successful new initiatives that strengthened client relationships and generated record new business.
• 

  Meta

  Art Director and Designer - Creative X

  Aug 2015 - Mar 2020

  Meta builds tech to connect people, foster communities, and grow businesses. Since Facebook's 2004 launch, Meta has revolutionized communication with apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Now, it's advancing immersive AR and VR experiences, shaping the future of social tech, while giving people the power to build communities, bring the world closer, and maintain a safe, respectful online space.

  • Directed and designed best in class creative across Facebook’s family of brands, transforming company objectives into human-first campaigns across platforms and global markets.
  • Led high scope projects from ideation through execution, acting as the central contact for cross functional teams and external agency partners.
  • Effectively pitched and presented work externally and internally to creative leads, marketing clients, and c-suite executives.
  • Helped establish and grow the team from four members into an over two hundred person in-house agency.
• 

  Genentech

  Designer

  Jun 2014 - Aug 2015

  Genentech, a leader in biotechnology since 1976, develops innovative therapies for serious medical conditions. They focus on oncology, immunology, and neuroscience, striving for breakthroughs to improve patient outcomes and transform healthcare.

  • Led marketing creative to highlight pilot health and sustainability programs, while mentoring and directing experiences for over twenty interns.