Hello I'm Sabrina Smelko

4

Illustrator / Graphic Designer
/ Brand & Website Designer 
/ Content Creator / Writer

email me

hello@sabrinasmelko.com

Whistler, BC
+ anywhere
there’s WiFi!

2012

Graduated from Sheridan Institute of Technology + Advanced Learning
After four years learning conceptual process, traditional painting, colour theory + design, I graduated with Honours and my BAA in Illustration.

2012

Started working in Advertising
I worked at The Hive where I crafted social and print campaign for Cadbury and RedBull, created illustrations/animations for Pacifico and OLG and ran around Toronto as a Cherry Blaster for the 'gram.

2013

Began freelancing + blogging
After cutting my teeth in the ad world, I returned to my multi-disciplinary roots and started my own freelance business designing websites, crafting copy, creating content and illustrating everything you can imagine!

2014

Started Teaching and Speaking
I began to teach Illustration and Digital Media at Sheridan while blogging for Design*Sponge and travelling across North American to speak at various events including BlogPodium, MakingIT Miami and InfluenceTHIS.

2015

Became an HGTV Host
An interview with Colin and Justin led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a guest-judge on HGTV's 'Home To Win', which eventually led to co-hosting my own show, Save My Reno, and starring in others like Home To Win and on Cityline.

2018

Retreated to Bali + Became a Yoga Teacher
After working in the television industry for a few years, I burnt out and craved creating again. I took time off, attended a wellness yoga retreat, and decided to quit my HGTV show to pursue my Yoga Teacher Training certification which I received on March 10th.

2019

Moved to Squamish, BC and Started Creating Again
I moved out west with my pup and my partner, and in Squamish, I fired my freelance creative practice back up while soaking up the nature around me. Inspired by my own wellness transformation and return to health, I launch Heelr in 2021, offering natural personal care products made for hair, skin, body and soul. Heelr.ca
sabrina's services

Highly skilled in multiple areas of art + design

c
Brand Design + Creation

I love coming up with brand names, designing custom logos, and having fun with badges, brand marks, colour palettes and font pairings!

f
Digital & Website Design

I can build and design your Shopify or WordPress website, without the massive agency price tag or timeline!

k
Creative Social Concepts + Art Direction

Need consulting advice? Help with applying a re-brand to a deck, or creative directing and conceptualizing social creative? I’ve got you.

g
Illustration + Art of All Kinds

Need your pet or person drawn? How about spot illustrations, podcast cover art, or a series of illustrated wallpaper? I’ve done it all!

Multi-disciplinary creative maker ✦
Multi-disciplinary creative maker ✦
RELEVANT ACCOLADES

Awards +
Recognition

Speaking Engagements

Vancouver Home Show, 2019

Calgary Home Show, 2018

London Home Show, 2017

Presenter and Judge,
Wayfair Trade Tastemaker
Awards, NYC, 2016

Keynote Speaker,
Blogpodium, Toronto, 2015

Keynote Speaker, MAKING IT by
The Wolfsonian Miami
– Florida University, 2015

Design/Illustration Awards

Behance / Adobe Design Achievement Awards

CMYK Magazine, 2015
– Top 100 Illustrators

Applied Arts Magazine
– Editorial Design Award

Society of Illustrators
— Gold Medal, 2012

Applied Arts Magazine
– Illustration Award
+ Featured Cover Artist, 2012

Education
BAA Illustration (with Honours)
– Sheridan Institute of Technology
and Advanced Learning, 2012

Registered Yoga Teacher Training
– 200-Hours, Koh Samui, 2018

Intro To Astronomy, Outlier, 2020

Press

CreativeBloq (and another)

Format

Tuts+

Design*Sponge

Ways We Work

FEATURES

Press +
Media

While working as a blogger and television host, I was lucky enough to be sponsored by some awesome brands, getting to collaborate on everything from blog/social posts and broadcast commercials, to interviews and features on radio stations and tv programs across North America including Global News, Cityline, and CTV News.

PEEP SOME PRESS ☞

learn more about me

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