EXPERIENCE IN
Art direction and design, specializing in strategic brand design for CPG and lifestyle brands
LEADING WITH
Empathy, initiative, clear communication, and people-focused approach
PASSIONATE ABOUT
Learning, problem-solving, mentorship, and supporting those around me
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance / Design Director / Associate Creative Director / 2025 - Present
Tillamook / Design Director / 2023 - 2025
Sandstrom Partners / Art Director / 2016 - 2023
Figure 8 Creative / Senior Designer / 2013 - 2016
Freelance / Designer / Wieden + Kennedy, Nike, Nemo Design, Big-Giant, Liquid, HappyLucky, Sasquatch, and R/West
Design Director / Associate Creative Director
mkennedydarling@gmail.com / 503-544-7974
RECOMMENDATIONS
Michael Hall / Senior Producer / Tillamook
Working with Molly has been a true highlight. She’s one of those rare creatives who brings both artistic depth and an incredible level of preparation to every project. Her pre-production decks are consistently thoughtful and strategic, creating a clear roadmap for teams and partners alike.
On set, Molly is a natural collaborator. She’s adaptable, intuitive, and deeply respectful of the creative process. She knows how to read a room, build trust, and keep things moving while staying attuned to the details that make the work shine.
One of Molly’s greatest strengths is her instincts. She brings a thoughtful lens to every decision, and I’ve seen time and again how her creative judgment leads to strong, impactful results. As she continues to grow, I’d love to see her trust those instincts even more because they’re right on the mark.
She’s a joy to work with, and her presence lifts both the work and the people around her. I’d gladly jump at the chance to collaborate with her again.
Rita Gonsalves / Senior Designer / Tillamook
I had the pleasure of working with Molly at Tillamook, where she was my direct manager. As a design director, Molly had a unique ability to inspire while fostering an environment where creativity could thrive. She was always open to new ideas. When faced with challenges, she utilized her strong problem-solving skills to navigate complex situations with ease and keep the team focused on solutions.
What truly sets Molly's apart, however, is her remarkable people skills. She has an innate ability to connect with individuals, understand their strengths, and create an atmosphere where everyone feels heard and valued. Her leadership style is a perfect blend of creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking. She helped me grow both professionally and personally, and I would recommend her to anyone looking for an inspiring and effective leader.
Liz Belte / Art Director / Tillamook
Molly is a super talented, highly-motivated Design Director. She has consistently delivered top quality creative with a positive, can-do attitude on projects while I worked with her at Tillamook.
Collaborating with her was an incredibly rewarding experience. Molly consistently demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and remarkable organizational skills, particularly during our production shoots. Her ability to manage and coordinate complex projects ensured that everything ran smoothly and efficiently.
Molly was also an outstanding manager to our designers. She showed strong leadership qualities, guiding our in-house brand team with confidence and clarity. Her supportive and encouraging approach brought a positive and productive work environment, allowing creativity to flourish as well as our designers.
Molly’s dedication and passion for her work were truly inspiring. She is a talented professional who brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every project. I highly recommend Molly for any role that requires creativity, leadership, and meticulous attention to detail!
Kelly Bohls / Partner & Project Director / Sandstrom Partners
If you are looking for someone who can handle intricate projects from start to finish, Molly is the Senior Designer for you. I had the pleasure of working with Molly for 7 years at Sandstrom Partners, and watched her grow from a good Designer to a great Senior Designer. She makes it easy to manage her because she is a strong communicator, works well with clients, is a great presenter and listens to feedback and incorporates it in ways that still hold the strength of the design, and the point the client is trying to make. We work on many complicated projects, and Molly takes on those challenges and excels every time. Molly managed to make my job easier, and I dearly miss her. I would hire her back any time, and if you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to hire her you should.