My name is Johnelle Smith. I'm a designer and creative developer based in Montreal. I’m an active learner and my practice involves the visual development of brands, editorial publications and digital experiences within the fields of arts, music, culture and education. My practice serves as an outlet for collaboration and experimentation creating thoughtful solutions to big ideas.
Currently, I'm interested in how design can be used as a tool for creating community. I draw much of my inspiration from my Jamaican roots. I’m motivated and fuelled by the Black & Brown queer communities that have shaped me. My goal is to continue exploring how the images we create and the products we build contribute to the shaping of diasporic identities, culture, and spaces.
Previously, I have worked with Wieden+Kennedy, Canadian Centre for Architecture, &Walsh, Sony Records Entertainment, RCA Records, LOKI Designs, Buell Centre Columbia University, Black Theatre Workshop and Massimadi to name a few.
Check out my work featured on It's nice that <3
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Artwork for the Paradise Found podcast hosted by Enga Domingue where she discusses navigating capitalism and spirituality. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Identity and web design for Things+Time residency; a growing archive of our everyday objects and what they mean to us. Visit website here.
Website for graphic design studio 0tami-. They are focused on multilingual typography, visual identity and publications. Published in 2022. We were most interested in creating a bilingual website that would incorporated Cree and English. Visit website here.
Posters, banners and socials for Massimadi en rue. Illustrations and lettering done by Kezna Dalz.
Webflow development for the "Black in Fashion Council X #ChangeFashion" directory designed by Mia Coleman.
Posters, banners, socials and pamphlets for Massimadi en rue. Illustrations and lettering done by Kezna Dalz.
Minisite created as part of the Objet-objet exhibition by Allen’s Cruz and Clara Cousineau in 2021.
Posters, banners, socials for Massimadi festival.
Branding system for the talented musical artist Harry Edohoukwa.
Black Women of Print is an African Diaspora centered platform, a digital homeplace for independent, mid-career and established Black women printmakers. The organization serves as a place to support and promote the visibility of Black women printmakers and as a professional member directory of Black women printmakers who practice within te field. Visitwebsite here.
QUADrature is a digital space created for a series of artist exhibitions based out of Galérie de l'UQAM. "In the spirit of Beckett, this series of virtual exhibitions will activate innovative curatorial approaches involving Québec artists and pre-existing artworks that are transformed or tailored for virtual viewing". Designed by Loki.
Website for the recording artist Marcos G for the upcoming launch of his most recent project 'Looking for Something'.
The Office of Rules and Norms (ORN) is an arts-based transdisciplinary studio at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Concordia University operating at the intersection of art and policy; [re]imagining for more equitable futures. The website serves as a hub to distribute and archive the work of creative researchers, academics, professionals, and artists alike. Designed in collaboration with Sevan Belleau. Visitwebsite here.
Identity and web design for OffShore Agency with the intentions of carrying out brand consistency throughout multiple platforms, thus, creating a lasting impression and distinguishing them from other management agencies. Footage captured by Micheal Rotimi (Founder).
Massimadi is an afro LGBTQ+ film festival that happens annually, during Black history month.
Massimadi is an afro LGBTQ+ film festival that happens annually, during Black history month.
Mulatto WebsiteWebsite and ECOM designed for Mulatto in light of her latest album release "Queen of da Souf (2020)". Site development carried out by 45Press.
Website fo feauturing his latest project.
Website redesign of Rememory in collaboration with Mia Coleman (Founder). Rememory is a digital directory for Black femmes and GNC folks in creative fields.
The Concordia Journal of Art History releases an annual publication featuring essayss from students majoring in Art History. Volume XVI of the publication was edited by Sophia Arnold.
School Schmool releases an annual activism planner featuring resources connecting Concordia and McGill university students. The planner is rampant with resources and support for engaging with environmental and social justice movements around the city. My mandate was to design the book cover.
A study on print, phonetics and language; a visual transcribtion of the spoken word poem 'Ebonics 101' by Steven Willis. Bringing this spoken word into the context of a book serves to legitimize and validate Ebonics as language.
24 pages; 5" x 7".
This poster was created for the VAV Gallery, "Modest Proposals" exhibition. The poster highlights the humorous and playful tone of the curated art pieces, dealing with themes of parody and mimesis.
Poster, 36"x50". 2018.
This is volume 1 of a local fashion book series called Lignes de Fuite. The book is a compilation of student works and interviews.For this project I collaborated with Roman where our role as artistic director and graphic designer consisted of creating a balanced dynamic layout; allowing for each artists voices to shine through, while still allowing for a unified and cohesive product. Since it is an archival piece it was important for all aspects to be treated as visuals; including the text. Along with the books, posters were designed to be sold alongside. 40 books ended up being published to date and all profits received from the sales were donated to the FONDATION DE LA MODE DE MONTRÉAL.
168 pages, 12"x19", 2017.
TEAM: Milan Tanedjikov (Producer); Victor Trn (Editor) ; Romane Sourbes (Artistic Direction and Graphic Designer); Johnelle Smith (Artistic Direction and Graphic Designer).
