Driven by Design

Driven by Design Founded in 1997, Driven by Design LLC is a full-service creative studio – with a focus on Publishi You name it, we have probably done it.

• Publication Design & Publishing
• Editorial Management
• Advertising Sales/Design
• Trade Show Branding
• Website Development
• Logo Design
• Marketing & Social Media
• Strategic Branding & Planning
• Business Plan Review

Driven by Design LLC is a full-service creative studio, serving clients in consumer & trade publication design and management, membership directory and buyer’s guide publishing, social media management, marketing and trade show branding materials, brochures, advertising design, annual reports, newsletters, web design and more. Established in 1997, we have maintained the same client base for 20 years (unheard of in the industry) because of our “concierge approach” of service to our clients, which makes us unique. Our clients would tell you they feel we are part of their team – an extension of their in-house staff. Caryn Smith, Principal and Chief Creative Mind, and two seasoned associates on the Driven By Design team, all provide personalized service to each client, and even communicate on their behalf to vendors and others. Our specialty includes publication design and redesign for association and trade organization magazines, business and newsstand-driven consumer publications, as well as editorial, advertising sales, printer management, and publishing experience. We are a one-stop shop in that we can take a project from editorial calendar/advertising rate card development through to imposition, editing, design, advertising placement and print – efficiently and effectively. Not every client needs all of these services, therefore we cater our scope of work to your specific needs. Our ultimate goal is to bring every project to its fullest potential and we offer ideas on how to accomplish that without breaking the budget. Oftentimes, our ideas pay for themselves! Our clients are not handed off to account representatives. Each one receives the attention of Caryn Smith as she manages every project, with my team. Over her 30+ year career, she has held positions that range from Associate Publisher to Creative Director and has gained different perspectives that ultimately helps our clients. This ranges from photoshoots with high-profile entertainment stars and conceptual & product shots; hands-on art direction and design of a variety of publication types; direction for editorial & design teams; leading advertising sales efforts; and directing a multitude of redesigns. All of this vast and interesting experience allows Caryn to see the bigger picture and to work effectively with all the team players to bring together a great project time after time, on time. Our niche, generally, is an association or organization who desires a partner in their publication and marketing campaigns to positively move toward their goals. Our philosophy is that a publication has a powerful organizational voice and should proactively educate and influence members and readers, re-enforce the organization’s mission, and be a resource that will assist to maintain and grow loyalty, membership, subscriptions, and advertising, if applicable. We have excellent credentials and references to attest to our high standards of excellence.

Driven By Design is the senior-led alternative to large association publishing companies and disconnected creative vendo...
08/10/2026

Driven By Design is the senior-led alternative to large association publishing companies and disconnected creative vendors. We combine publishing leadership, editorial storytelling, creative direction, advertising sales and brand strategy in one highly invested partnership.

Large firms offer departments. Freelancers offer deliverables. Driven By Design provides senior-level ownership of the entire publishing and communications program.

Message us “CONNECT” for a 20-minute complimentary Communications Connection Call.

Collaboration with Driven By Design replaces fragmented efforts with one cohesive publishing, marketing, and brand strat...
08/07/2026

Collaboration with Driven By Design replaces fragmented efforts with one cohesive publishing, marketing, and brand strategy—supported by senior-level leadership and hands-on ex*****on.

Testimonial from one of our happy clients: Driven By Design delivers compelling solutions with graphic design, branding, marketing and public relations that support my various non-profit and business endeavors. Caryn Smith and her team have brought to life many of my ideas with creativity and excellence – even better than we had imagined. They deliver results that capture attention ranging from strategic brand building, print and website design, and content development. Driven By Design is a great choice for your company, association, or non-profit if you are looking to work with the best.

Why not take advantage of our 20-Minute Communications Connection Call

One challenge. Two practical ideas. Twenty useful minutes.
Have a publishing, marketing, or brand communication issue you’re trying to solve? Message us “CONNECT” for a complimentary Communications Connection Call. We’ll get to know one another, discuss your immediate challenge, and we will share one or two ideas you can put to work right away.

No strings attached, just networking at its finest!

250 years of diplomacy, good read from the editors of The Foreign Service Journal at the American Foreign Service Associ...
07/09/2026

250 years of diplomacy, good read from the editors of The Foreign Service Journal at the American Foreign Service Association

Driven By Design LLC is the publishing partner and art director of this elite publication!

See more at https://afsa.org/foreign-service-journal

While most of us are dealing with sweltering heat, doesn't this image look inviting?Great design tells a story before a ...
07/02/2026

While most of us are dealing with sweltering heat, doesn't this image look inviting?
Great design tells a story before a single word is read.
We're proud to continue our creative partnership with the The Foreign Service Journal and the American Foreign Service Association. One of our favorite features is Local Lens—a stunning showcase of photography captured by U.S. Foreign Service Officers and employees from around the world. This issue features the breathtaking landscape of Svalbard, Norway.
At Driven By Design, we specialize in transforming publications into engaging visual experiences that strengthen brands and connect with readers. With more than 30 years of experience and work on 20+ magazine titles, our expertise spans publication design, creative direction, brand development, marketing, editorial design, web design, social media, and integrated communications—helping associations, nonprofits, and businesses communicate with clarity and impact.
We are typically booked solid, but we currently have capacity to welcome one new client. If your organization needs an award-winning creative partner to elevate your publication, strengthen your brand, or refresh your marketing, we'd love to start a conversation.
Visit www.drivenbydesign.net or send us a message to schedule a complimentary brand strategy consultation.

Does Your Media Kit Need a Refresher?Driven By Design can help you with expert design ideas and concepts for your year o...
04/22/2026

Does Your Media Kit Need a Refresher?

Driven By Design can help you with expert design ideas and concepts for your year of selling!

We can do a free consultation on your rates and value offerings inside your advertising program. Call us to discuss!

When the U.S. State Department and Hillary Clinton share the magazine you just designed for your client, The Foreign Ser...
05/02/2024

When the U.S. State Department and Hillary Clinton share the magazine you just designed for your client, The Foreign Service Journal, you feel some real pride! Congrats to the for your 100th Anniversary! Driven By Design LLC is proud to be a part of the story for 30 years!

Focused on the and American Foreign Service Association centennial anniversaries, the May includes congratulatory messages from Secretary of State Antony Blinken; two former Secretaries of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton and James A. Baker, III; USAID Administrator Samantha Power; and Foreign Agricultural Service Director General Mark Petry.

Read (and share) the full edition here: https://hubs.ly/Q02vBXFS0

Driven By Design is proud to announce that The Foreign Service Journal won big at the TRENDY Awards on March 17, taking ...
03/24/2023

Driven By Design is proud to announce that The Foreign Service Journal won big at the TRENDY Awards on March 17, taking home the GOLD in the Monthly Professional Society Magazine category for the October 2022 Ukraine focus issue.

Driven By Design's CEO Caryn Smith is the Art Director and Designer for The Journal for over 25 years.

Association Trends 2022 TRENDY Awards honors the best marketing and communications pieces in the association and nonprofit communities.

The October FSJ issue featured gorgeous artwork by Ukrainian folk artist Maria Primachenko. More than two dozen works by the late artist were held by a museum in her hometown, Ivankin, but when Russian soldiers invaded Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the museum was set ablaze, and several of her paintings were destroyed in the ensuing fire.

Art Director Caryn Smith found her artwork while researching Ukraine styles for the design of the issue, and was inspired by her story and artwork, which is free domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Prymachenko).

Her work is noted for its whimsy and vivid imagery and, much like this award-winning issue of the Journal, offers hope for the future of Ukraine.

The editorial well of the issue featured articles from diplomats and policymakers who have been active in Ukraine and the region. Authors included former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor, who wrote about “Understanding Ukraine”; Rose Gottemoeller, who previously served as undersecretary for arms control and international security at the State Department and as deputy secretary general of NATO; retired Foreign Service Officer Ken Moskowitz; and Michael Lally, currently the minister counselor for commercial affairs at the U.S. Mission to the European Union.

Read (and share) the winning edition, at www.afsa.org/foreign-service-journal-october2022

Jessie Sharon Joins Driven By Design! We want to officially welcome our new Art Director Jessie Sharon to Driven By Desi...
02/07/2023

Jessie Sharon Joins Driven By Design!

We want to officially welcome our new Art Director Jessie Sharon to Driven By Design! Jessie brings impeccable design talent and considerable expertise to our client’s publishing and marketing efforts.

Jessie began last October with DBD and has fit in so well with our team that we often forget she is fairly new! We could not be more pleased to have her positive energy, new ideas and strong mid-western work ethic working to meet the goals of our clients.

Previously, Jessie was Art Director for Trusted Media Brands, working on titles such as Taste of Home Special Interest Publications, Taste of Home cookbooks, Country Woman magazine, and Farm & Ranch Living magazine. There, she helped to lead brand redesigns for Country Woman and Farm & Ranch Living magazines in collaboration with the creative director and layout designer.

She is a graduate of Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She grew up on a cattle farm in Wisconsin, lived a few years in the city of Chicago, but settled in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband, 2 girls, and goldendoodle. They love travel, family gatherings, and movie nights!

What Jessie loves about her work: “I love the pure joy in finding and creating the perfect solution to a creative problem, and seeing the physical, printed product in my hands. A satisfying workday is the culmination of hard work and a successful outcome!”

We look forward to showing off her designs in our social media, stay tuned!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiesharon/

Address

Fort Myers, FL
33908

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12392256137

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