About J. Donovan Smith Creative

The Company

Every business has a story to tell. We help you tell that story.

We have over 25 years of visual communication experience, everything from videography and photography to graphic design. We also have relationships and partnerships with web developing professionals, voice-over talent, radio advertising, strategic brand marketers, and more.

The best part of the work we do, is our clients….PERIOD! We love the collaboration, the conversations, the laughs, and the adventure of the entire process. Without you, we would not be enjoying what we do every day; we would be sulking, in a corner, waiting to let our creativity run free! So when we say the best part of our work is you, we mean it.

We offer our clients the latest in video marketing trends, which has proven to lead to a 94% increase in brand understanding of your target market. Our work leads to immediate, real, and authentic brand interaction between you and your customers.

Let’s talk about how we can get you the visibility through your story, so you become part of the 94% who’s customers understands your brand, and increase your revenue.

Our values

Develop relationships with every client we work with.
Be adventurous and creative with the process.
Constantly learn and grow from each project; keep improving.
Be passionate about each project and each experience.
Embrace change, don’t fear it.
See meeting new people as an exciting opportunity.
Be confident that we add value to every client we work with.

About JD

Creativity has always taken many forms for me, I just never really knew where it would lead. I started drawing in my early years, then explored photography, pottery, calligraphy, and music as I got older.

Now my creative tools are increasing even further as a professional videographer, graphic designer and photographer, and my experiences and artistic vision keep expanding too.

In 1989, I took a leap of faith… a literal leap: I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (and literally blacked out and went unconscious). Little did I know, I fell in love with the sport, and now have over 600 skydives. The feeling of hovering with eight or sixteen of my closest friends (while falling 120mph), was pure love. When skydiving, I experienced an exhilarating freedom I can never find on solid ground. The only thing that comes close is a motorcycle ride on the open road with a group of like-minded cruisers.

I moved to Chicago to attend the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) in 1995. I spent three years at this school and in this city, and it deeply shaped who I am today: a creative professional who loves to explore the possibilities which helps to improve the details of my client’s projects.

I’ve worked with top companies, in different industries since graduating SAIC, but in 2007, I was honored to work as the Packaging Production Manager for one of the top wineries in the entire United States. Taking responsibility for 40 brands of wine labels, corks, capsules, and shippers imbued me with valuable artistic and detailed skills.

After over 11 years at Chateau Ste. Michelle, I was ready to spread my wings and fulfill a creative calling, and in 2018 started my own creative brand marketing company to share my expertise and passion with businesses looking for more visibility and brand recognition.