Anna Smith's creative endeavors started at the age of two when she graffitied her name on the side of her mattress with a red Sanford permanent marker. She has been creating ever since. Smith is a cross-pollinator. Her creative and professional work over the last 22 years has connected/crossed many different artistic genres, encompassing more than these labels we give them: dance/movement arts, design and visual art. Throughout, observer, educator and maker have been constants.

Over the last decade, Anna has worked as a Footwear Designer, Color Designer, Material & Trend Specialist, Interior Design Planner, Graphic Designer, and Wedding Coordinator/Director.  For the last five years, she was a Design Education Director, focusing heavily on community and industry partnerships to bring more value to her student’s education.

She shares space on this planet with her partner and their dog, Rocco. Baking, cooking, hunting/gathering for inspiration and yoga are some of her favorite things to do to keep her sane.

EDUCATION:

• Masters of Industrial Design, N.C. State University, College of Design, Raleigh, N.C.
• Bachelors of Dance; Performance and Choreography, Meredith College, Raleigh, N.C

HONORS AND AWARDS: 

• MADE in USA Design Award | Future of Footwear Competition | Summer 2013                                                    PENSOLE FOOTWEAR DESIGN ACADEMY, Portland OR                                                                      
• SURFACE DESIGN Award | Cotton Initiative Exhibition Artist | Spring 2013                                                        ART TO WEAR, North Carolina State University                                                                                
• WORK STUDY Scholarship | Summer 2012                                                                                                    PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT                                                                                                         
• DESIGN EDUCATION Second Place Award | Design Learning Challenge | Spring 2012                               INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SOCIETY OF AMERICA                                                                                    
• INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD | 2010-2011                                                                                 L. FRANKLIN BOST, Raleigh, NC                                                                                                       
• ACTS TO FOLLOW, Choreographer | Summer 2006                                                                               AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL, Durham, NC                                                                                     
• AFFILIATE ARTIST, Choreographer | Fall 2005                                                                                           MEREDITH COLLEGE DANCE THEATER, Raleigh, NC

GUEST LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS:

How Digital Workflows Are Changing Footwear, Panelist | August 2019

WACOM Experience Center, Portland OR

TiE Young Entrepreneurs, Industry Consultant/Mentor | August 2018 - June 12019

Semester-long student company, focusing on sustainable footwear; State finals & TEDxMtHood

Footwear Design, Teaching Assistant | Spring 2013

Summer Camp, PENSOLE Footwear Design Academy, Portland OR 

Materials Workshop [Recharge], Teaching Assistant | Spring 2013

3-day Professional development workshop, MLab, Portland OR

Think/Make Studio, Teaching Assistant | Summer 2012

Design Camp, NCState College of Design, Raleigh NC

An Introduction to Industrial Design/Footwear Design, Guest Instructor | April 2012

Sole Stories Workshop (7 weeks), Holly Grove Middle School, Holly Springs NC

Contemporary Partnering Techniques, Lecturer | 2009

North Carolina Dance Alliance Annual Event, Charlotte NC

Arts Integration for Educators, Guest Lecturer | 2007-2008

Wolf Trap and Arts Teach NC, Charlotte NC   

Visiting Artist: Dance Educator [Modern Dance Technique and Choreography] | 2007

Auldern Academy, Pittsboro NC

Interdisciplinary Art and Dance Integration Workshop | 2007

NC Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Annual Conference, Greensboro NC