Dayna Hall Carter is a Brooklyn-based design leader passionate about making things for brands, creating meaningful experiences, and mentoring who’s next. She is currently leading a multidisciplinary team at Trade School as Executive Director, Creative & Technology.

 

Work I’m Proud Of

 
 
 

VOX MEDIA

Shaping the creative vision across all 18 Vox Media networks.

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Taking products from concept through launch.

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NETFLIX

Launching an original movie with the goal of grabbing attention and video views.

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STARBUCKS

Drive users from online to in-store with a 28% lift in foot traffic.

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INFINITI

Promote a bestseller with a virtual 360° experience.

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THE NORTH FACE

Amplify an e-commerce site through a modern and easy to navigate shoppable gift guide.

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GARMIN

360º panning, hotspots, and video to show the Fenix 5S wearable in action.

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AMAZON ORIGINALS

Site wide takeover campaign for awareness, video views and engagement.

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GREY GOOSE

Developing a mobile interstitial guiding users to the perfect cocktail tailored to their particular tastes.

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Hi 👋🏽

I am an award-winning creative leader who has built my career on inventing unexpected ways for brands to connect with consumers. Informed by my background in tech and design, I believe in creating data-driven, user-first creative experiences. I am passionate about growing equitable and inclusive spaces, mentoring designers, and fostering the right environments for people to do their best work.

I’ve led creative, engineering, and product teams at ad, tech, and media agencies. I’ve built teams from the ground up and managed them through mergers, acquisitions, rebrands, reorgs, and everything in between. Most recently, I led a fully remote, multi-discipline team of visual and product designers in initiatives across various verticals and advertising solutions at Vox Media. My team was responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the interactive and engaging ads across all 18 networks, including Eater, The Cut, The Verge, Popsugar, and New York Magazine. My contributions raised the creative bar, opened new opportunities for work, shipped functional products, and consistently increased revenue growth year-over-year. Currently, I am serving as Executive Director, Creative & Technology at Trade School. As a key collaborator on the Executive Leadership team, I play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic creative and product vision for our agency and clients including The Home Depot and Coach.

Off the clock, I’m primarily working on my newest passions—running a small business, keeping my plant babies alive, and memorizing every line from every Golden Girls episode. I can also be found in the classroom serving as a guest lecturer at Berkeley and Bloomfield Colleges’ Department of Advertising and Design, inspiring the next generation of creative minds 🧠.

Where I Excel

Leading Diverse Teams

I've built from the ground up, managed through multiple acquisitions and reorgs, and scaled teams into new branches of work. My hires have come with visual, copy, brand, product, and engineering backgrounds. And beyond work experience, I believe in the power of diversity and cultivating genuinely equitable and inclusive spaces.

 
 

Cross-functional Leadership

My player-coach leadership style is rooted in autonomy, a bias for craft, and a unified vision. My approach is collaborating cross-functionally with product, engineering, sales, research, solutions, and fellow design leads to ensure the full picture of our clients' and customers' needs are met and produce results.

Data Driven Design

I believe that design and data go hand in hand. I love helping clients, brands and agencies navigate the intersection of data + design. I’ve learned over the years, "cool" or "pretty" doesn't always resonate with users. As a result, my teams have consistently delievered effective human-centered creative based on when, how, and where the user will experience it.

 
 

Taking Products from 0 to 1

My strategic creative and product visions have contributed to year-over-year increases in revenue growth. I live for owning and leading creative processes from inception to delivery, consistently infusing innovation into every project.

Recognition

 

My work has gotten kudos and recognition from industry organizations such as the AAF, Digiday, IABB Mixx, Mobile Mafia, and OMMA in categories spanning interactive design, digital innovation, mobile, and creative. My collaborative approach has also forged meaningful partnerships with various stakeholders throughout my career. Here are some of the great things they've shared about me:

 

As a Design Director, Dayna ensured our team's design processes were efficient and refined as needed, and also advocated for our needs and concerns whenever any
issues would arise. She led our team incredibly and was never afraid to roll up her sleeves and put in work with
us whenever the demand was high or if we were a few
hands short.
Senior Visual Designer, Vox Media

 
 

A great partner is not just someone you collaborate with; they are someone who amplifies strengths and provides support to overcome weaknesses. Dayna was that partner on every project. A joy to work with! Product Lead, Vox Media

Dayna helped me navigate the beginnings of my design career and set me up for advocating for myself and my career. Truly thankful I got her guidance and support. A true and honest leader! And just truly fun to work with. Senior Systems Architect, Kohler Energy

 
 

Dayna knows the digital space and is open and willing to take the time and explain it to anyone that asks. There are no egos with her; she's a great leader, but also humble and has no problem asking for help.
Vice President Associate Creative Director, Havas Gemini