Karthik M

KM

Open to opportunities

Karthik M

@karthikm3

Creative Director and brand strategist focused on messaging clarity and integrated print/digital design.

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a brand-led creative leadership role where I can shape strategy and execution, sharpen messaging and positioning, and collaborate cross-functionally—bringing my work across print/digital and new AI tools into practical outcomes.

I work across messaging, positioning, and communication clarity, shaped by long agency and independent practice. I’ve led creative teams through long-term agency leadership roles across multiple teams and formats, and I continue to engage at both conceptual and execution levels.

As Creative Director (including Underdog, Mumbai), I guide brand strategy, language and narrative, and design without rigid boundaries. I’m also exploring AI tools as part of everyday work, while staying grounded in print and digital creation, production, and creative workflows—supported by early training in media studies like animation, editing, and VFX.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

IP

Current

Creative Director

Current

Independent Practice

Jan 2023 - Present (3 years 6 months)

Worked across brand strategy, messaging, language, and design without rigid boundaries.

Brand Strategy Positioning Messaging Creative Direction Language Design Writing Cross Functional Collaboration AI Tools Media Studies

UN

Senior Creative Director

Underdog

Jan 2015 - Jan 2023 (8 years)

Provided creative direction from conceptual through execution levels, bringing a generalist practice to brand and communication work.

Brand Strategy Positioning Messaging Creative Direction Design Cross Functional Collaboration Writing

CL

Visiting Faculty (Advertising)

École Intuit Lab

Jan 2015 - Jan 2016 (1 year)

Served as visiting faculty for advertising-related instruction.

Teaching Advertising Writing

CS

Creative Director

Catalyst SMC

Jan 2006 - Jan 2015 (9 years)

Led creative direction and design work at Catalyst SMC over multiple years.

Creative Direction Design Brand Strategy Positioning Messaging Cross Functional Collaboration

HV

Creative Consultant

HDFC & Various

Jan 2003 - Jan 2006 (3 years)

Provided long-term creative consulting across HDFC and other clients, including work spanning multiple teams and formats.

Brand Strategy Positioning Messaging Cross Functional Collaboration

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

UM

University of Mumbai

Master of Arts, English Studies

2025 -

Activities and societies: Translating creative practice into teaching.

Pursuing an MA in English Studies, with an ongoing focus on applying practice into teaching.

RC

RA Podar College

Bachelor of Commerce, Commerce

Enrolled in a Bachelor of Commerce program at RA Podar College in Mumbai.

Tech stack

Software and tools used professionally

Figma

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Illustrator

Canva

CapCut

ChatGPT

Availability

Open to opportunities

Location

India

Authorized to work in

Salary expectations

3600k-6000k INR

Job categories

Creative Director Creative Director Creative Consultancy Brand Strategist Creative Generalist Marketing Educator Director of Creative Brand Creative Director Executive Creative Director VP Creative Director

Skills

Brand Strategy Positioning Messaging Cross Functional Collaboration Print Production Production AI Tools Media Studies Animation Editing VFX Calligraphy Ghazal Appreciation English Hindi Marathi Gujarati Urdu

Interested in hiring Karthik?

You can contact Karthik and 90k+ other talented remote workers on Himalayas.

Message Karthik

People also viewed

View all talent

Get matched with your dream remote job

Sign up now and join over 250,000+ remote workers who receive personalized job alerts, curated job matches, and more for free!