Who we are
Smyrski Creative is a design studio. We believe that good design means creating the right form for saying exactly what you want to say. This is a process of discovery; our job is to facilitate this process.
The foundation of what we do is a deep creative partnership with the client. Everything begins with our client's content, voice, and hopes for the project. We do more than give our clients' work an attractive appearance. We seek to understand the intentions of our clients and bring them to the surface. The result is a simple, elegant design without ostentation or unnecessary embellishment.
We pride ourselves on consistent availability and responsiveness to client needs. Our hands-on approach extends through the design process, from conception to production to delivery and beyond. All clients receive the personalized service of a boutique studio. Thanks to our network of skilled collaborators, no job is too big or too small.
We like working with clients who we admire, and who we can learn something from.
If you're interested, contact us.
About the Founder
Anthony Smyrski is a creative director, designer, consultant, and independent print publisher. He works in both the cultural and commercial spheres, collaborating with clients and artists from around the world. Anthony has led a variety of design projects of publications including Next American City and Swindle magazines. He has designed books for publishers such as Thames and Hudson, powerhouse, and Gingko Press. Among Anthony's other clients are Maysles Films, Deitch Projects, Steve Powers, The Institute of Contemporary Art (Philadelphia), the Pew Foundation, The Rosenbach Museum and Library, Deloitte, Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Philagrafika, wejetset, Creative Time, and Federal Express.
In 2005, Anthony partnered with Dan Murphy and founded the media entity Megawords. The Megawords project spans an experimental print publication, a radio show, a touring multimedia installation, curated exhibitions, and the book Public Wall Writing in Philadelphia. Through Megawords, Anthony and Dan explore their vision and environment through print, sound and motion. In 2008, they were awarded a grant from the Philadelphia Exhibitions Initiative to stage a month-long storefront exhibition in Center City. In the coming months Megawords will have an installation in New York and release their twelfth issue.
Also in 2005, Anthony co-founded Free News Projects with Max Lawrence. Free News Projects is an independent publisher that prides itself on collaborating closely with artists to produce high-quality limited edition works with refined design. Works published by Free News Projects include a retrospective of stained glass artist Judith Schaechter and vinyl picture disc collaborations with artists such as Dalek and ManMan.
After graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Anthony attended Fabrica—Benetton's communications research center in Treviso, Italy. The trip was the beginning of a paradigm shift in Anthony's outlook on his work and life. Since then, he has traveled constantly, observing cultural patterns, urban life and the global mosaic of human interaction. Findings and insights from his travels find their way into most every element of his work.
Anthony's most recent design work has been focused on integrating print, online and video communication strategies. As his business develops, he seeks to combine these three disciplines with content development, the design of physical interior and exterior spaces, and most any other practice that demands the rigorous application of creativity.